The Rights of Christian Scientists

Charles M. Howe

St. Joseph (Mo.) Daily News

Editor of The Daily News:—

The article in Tuesday's issue, "The Rights of Christian Scientists," would seem to give out the impression that Christian Scientists are not law-abiding people, but religious fanatics and a menace to the public health and safety. If you will please allow me, I wish to make some corrections without any desire for controversy, but simply with the desire to set forth a candid, unprejudiced view of the subject. Christian Scientists, as a rule, are fair-minded people and of ordinary intelligence. They have arrived at conclusions in regard to this Science, not as the result of impulse and blind enthusiasm, but as the outcome of much thoughtful and serious consideration, and with each step of investigation have come added proofs of its utility. They have learned that Mind can minister to the diseased body, and sickness and pain be made to flee away.

Christian Scientists are a law-abiding, unobtrusive people, with no desire to force their views upon any one or proselyte in any way. And it is well known that most of the people who are now Christian Scientists have become such because Christian Science has raised them from the couch of pain and disease after all known medical means had failed. As a last resort they went to God through Christian Science, and they do not feel much like going back to material means which have already proven useless in their past experiences.

In regard to the treatment of what are termed contagious or infectious diseases, Christian Scientists are willing to comply strictly with the law in every respect, in so far as they know the legal requirements.

Christian Scientists have gained such a realization of the true God, whose presence healeth all our diseases, that they humbly, and with thankfulness, give a reason for the hope that is within them, and with love and patience wait for the time when this grand Truth of Christian Science, which is so rapidly dawning upon a sin-sick world, shall be understood, and ignorance and prejudice will give place to an enlightened faith in the one true and living God.

Christian Science and its practical results is still in its infancy, and all who are honestly striving to follow in this line of light and reason are endeavoring to bring out better conditions mentally and physically. If Christian Science will heal the sick, aid the sorrowing, and bring peace of mind, is it not a duty to acknowledge it, and a further duty to humanity to proclaim it? If there is a failure to bring out its practical results it is certainly not the fault of the Science, but arises from lack of understanding how to apply its rules. To turn away from God—Mind—to matter or inert drugs, is to leave God out of the question. And there never was a law and never will be one that compels man to do this. Really there is but the one divine Law, yet human codes must be complied with until this is understood and demonstrated.

Charles M. Howe.
In the St. Joseph (Mo.) Daily News.

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