Article January 4, 1941 Issue

From the Directors

The Selective Draft

The Christian Science Board Of Directors

The passing of the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 by the United States Congress will induct into service many young men interested in Christian Science. They will meet new problems, in the solving of which their understanding of Christian Science may be advantageously applied.

To many of these young men the necessity of vaccination and inoculation will present a new experience. At such time they can turn with confidence to the writings of our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, who states in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (pp. 219, 220): "Rather than quarrel over vaccination, I recommend, if the law demand, that an individual submit to this process, that he obey the law, and then appeal to the gospel to save him from bad physical results. Whatever changes come to this century or to any epoch, we may safely submit to the providence of God, to common justice, to the maintenance of individual rights, and to governmental usages." During the first World War, students of Christian Science in the Army and Navy were subjected to medical supervision, yet the application of Christian Science enabled many to go through the ordeal untouched. The same demonstration is possible today.

Questions are asked as to whether religious reasons may be used for exemption from the draft. It should be said that a Christian Scientist could not claim exemption as a conscientious objector without misrepresenting Christian Science, for in the Church Tenets or platform of the Christian Science church no specific reference is made to participation in war or for training therefor. On the other hand, Mrs. Eddy says on page 277 of Miscellany, "But if our nation's rights or honor were seized, every citizen would be a soldier and woman would be armed with power girt for the hour."

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