Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-07-05
A NEW RELIGIOUS CRAZE

1t is true enough that many people
are continually ailing because they
imagine there is something the matter
with them, and there are probably
seven out OF every ten adult persons
in the world who, TO a greater or less
degree. imagine that they are af-
hicted with some chronic dlsarrange-
ment, which is nothing more in most
cases than lack Of care Of themselves.
Instance the fact that during the late
prevalence OF la grippe every individ-
ual who caught cold was sure he had
that terrible influenza. 1t was the
excuse for indisposition in the cases
Of many who knew that they were
simply suffering from the results Of
violent alcoholic dissipation, and an
ordinary attack of "the dumps" was
magnified into visitation OF 1.-THE
grip" 1t has been frequently proven
| by the medical men that during cpl |
denies of cholera persons have numer-
ously been frightened into fatal at
tacks Of the disease, and all these and
much else of the same character gives
evidence that the mind properly con-
| trolled would continue the person
who thus suffers in good health.
This is probably the only foundation
for the crankism known nowadays as
christian science" for the cure OF
disease. Notwithstanding, however,
that Science" is at present attract
ing much attention throughout the
east, and one Of its most en-
iuent apostles and teachers is
a Mrs. Stetson who is at present hold
ing forth with much eclat in Kansas
City. Large audiences gather to hear
her and others of the kind discuss this
new religion which they undertake TO
prove by holy writ and the sermons
evolved by them as deductions from
their texts. This new issue claims to
be that religion which tenaciOusly
chung to and practiced will ride over,
stamp out and triumph over any dis
ease. But in order to be eflicaciOus
one must rid himself Of every carnal
thought, a very difficult thing for
poor humanity to do considering the
old Adam that Is born in the sons of
men.
The fact that it is being preached
, over, however, is the cause OF its
wonderful attraction for a large mass
of people. Anything which will sub,
ordinate disease TO mind is certainly
e worthy Of Investigation. But, is such
"a thing possible? Are the variou,
functions of the body comfortable by
mental or spiritual effort? There is
> one thing Of which the followers OF
Observation-Disclosures apparently lose
sight; the power Of the mind depends
on the tibres of the body, and tht
I. body is only a machine to be kept il
d. certain running condition in order Il
do its work properly, Christian
a science may cure hypochondria o
, some forms OF hysteria but it Ger
II tainly cannot undertake to regulate
k the chemical functions OF the body.
An exchange tells of a case in whicl
one now dead tried this Christian
science 10 cure long standing diges
tive difficulty. The result was rup
7" tured blood vessel and total paralysi
:. OF one side Of the body. In this cas-
the Christian scientists might well hav
been arrested for malpractice.
:, when you think you see a discor
= on the body or in nature, wake frOI
your matter dream, with the spiritua
concept you will look through eyes no
% flesh veiled." So spoke Mrs. Stetsor
= But how can you "see" a thing whic
does not exist. Mrs. Stetson Shout
rather say, IL you by your carna
= thought imagine you see, etc. There
y nothing so necessary TO "mOrta
mind" as precise care in the use o
words.
" The sciences of medicine and SUI
= gerry, hygienic practices and sanitar
:, care are, and will always be, the bes
~ cures aud preventatiyes Of the ills {
" which flesh is heir, but it cannot b
~ doubted that many people take to
- much medicine and call the doctor To
~ often, a fact that conscientious do,
tors will affirm, and hence IL even tn
! Christian science craze produces a r,
action from this, it will do goo
work, and yet there is such an evil q
~ another extreme in the premises.
~ Just as there is criminality in al
~ ministering the wrong drug, so theI
~ is as much evil in administering 4
drug at all. Christian science may |
right enough in Theory, but its pra
tice may become dangerous.
- NORTHWEST NORMAL SCHOOL