My attention has been called to an article reprinted in...

W. Archibald Wallace,—Bluefield

Sunset News

My attention has been called to an article reprinted in your columns from the Mullins Advocate relating to House Bill No. 269, which was introduced during the recent session of the legislature. This bill was an amendment to the medical practice act, which would permit the treatment of human ailments by prayer or spiritual means. In view of certain statements made in the article and in justice to the great number of Christian Scientists who are citizens of West Virginia, in whose interests the bill was introduced, I ask you to kindly print this letter.

There is no desire on the part of Christian Science practitioners to be given the privileges of the medical profession, neither do they want to be licensed. That the practice of Christian Science is not the practice of medicine has been recognized not only by the lawmakers of forty-one states in the United States, but also by many eminent physicians and surgeons.

Christian Scientists respect the higher type of medical practitioners and surgeons and believe that the practice of medicine and surgery should be properly safeguarded, owing to the drugs and instruments used in their practice. But Christian Science also claim the right which is given them under the constitutions of both the United States and West Virginia to practice their religion.

The objection was raised against Christian Science practitioners being paid for their services. Yet, when Christ Jesus sent his disciples forth on their healing mission, he told them to make no provisions for their material needs, saying, "The labourer is worthy of his hire." As ministers, rabbis, priests, doctors, and nurses are very properly paid for their services there should be no objection to Christian Science practitioners charging for their services. These consecrated workers devote their time to this practice and it is but right they should be paid. It might be well to state here that no one ever has Christian Science treatment unless it is requested.

The article might be construed to imply that Christian Science practitioners have not been properly trained for the work of treating human ailments. The very opposite of this is the case, for there is no calling which requires more diligent study and application in preparation than does the practice of Christian Science. The ability to heal the sick by purely spiritual treatment, or prayer, is gained by religious devotion and study, not by attending medical or surgical schools. The lives of consecrated practitioners are devoted to carrying out the commands of Christ Jesus: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature;" "Heal the sick." In a sermon entitled "Christian Healing" (p. 14), delivered in Boston, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, said: "Metaphysical healing includes infinitely more than merely to know that mind governs the body and the method of a mental practice. The preparation for a metaphysical practitioner is the most arduous task I ever performed."

Since Alaska, the Canal Zone, the District of Columbia, and all but seven of the states have laws which protect the practice of Christian Science either by special provisions or general laws so broad that they cover its practice, it surely could not be considered "a mark on the history of this great state" had the legislature passed this bill.

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