Article September 9, 1933 Issue

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.