Article September 29, 1928 Issue

In your recent issue there appears an address made by...

Arthur J. Chapman, Committee on Publication for the State of Louisiana,—Baton Rouge

Morning Advocate

In your recent issue there appears an address made by the president of the Louisiana Medical Society at their annual meeting, wherein he delivers "a scathing denunciation" of what he terms "medical fads and fancies including the teachings of Christian Scientists." Let me say at the outset that Christian Scientists have no quarrel with the medical fraternity. We recognize that the higher class of physicians are entitled to our respect for the many sacrifices they make in behalf of the welfare of the human race. They are not, however, always inclined to be fair in their criticism, for the reason that very few of them have any practical knowledge of the teachings of Christian Science. The doctor classifies Christian Science with "Coueism and the Dowieites and other so-called cults," whose teachings are the very opposite of Christian Science, and this plainly indicates that he is not familiar with the subject. He asks, "What have Christian Scientists done to prevent heart disease?" and he does not hesitate to answer his question by stating that we have done "nothing." I am wondering how he was able to reach this conclusion not being familiar with the teachings of Christian Science, the practice of which is the best of preventive treatment. He would have no difficulty in securing satisfactory evidence of the healing of heart disease through Christian Science practice if he cared to do so.

Let me call his attention to the fact that prominent members of his own profession do not agree with his views regarding Christian Science. Dr. William Mayo, an eminent surgeon of Rochester, Minnesota, who is well known throughout the South, is quoted as having not long since made a talk to the house doctors of the Toronto (Canada) hospital. In the course of his remarks he made this statement: "I have sent people to Christian Scientists and they have got relief. Some of us have not got brains enough to reach our hands into the air as do the Christian Scientists." We do not undertake to criticize those opposing us, for we realize that their criticisms will cease when the teachings of Christian Science are better understood. The public is inclined to be fair, and the time is not far distant when it will be generally recognized that it should be the fundamental right of each person to choose his own school of medicine or of treatment, just as he is permitted to choose his politics and religion; and I am glad to say that this is in accordance with the views of a large number of the medical fraternity. We are not unmindful of the unselfishness and philanthropy of our friends of the medical profession, and all we ask as Christian Scientists is that by our works we be justified or condemned. Christian Science through the efficacy of prayer is healing the sick and sinful and bringing comfort to the sorrowing, which is in accordance with the Bible promise that "the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." Christian Science is not "quackery" nor is it a "medical fad," but it is a restatement of primitive Christianity, the practice of which includes the healing of the sick and the sinful in accordance with the teachings of the Bible and the commands of the Master, who said, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."

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