Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-12-22
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE AS A CURE FOR
DISEASE.
To the Editor of the Free Press:

To the Editor of the Free Press:
The recent development of the social
ed christian Science" treatment for all
the diseases and disorders of the human
body. wherein such a treatment has not
only been advocated but put into practice
in different parts of the world: should at
tract the attention of all intelligent and
reasoning beings.
This comparatively recent discovery.
must, as have all past discoveries. he sub
jected to the criticism of public opinion
before 1t can become an established treat
ment and be put into practice.
Let us then, inquire into this remark
able treatment. If 1t may DO called such.
wherein the diseases of the body that are
supposed to exist. may be made to vanish
like the dew before the morning sun.
The principles of this strange and pecu-
liar doctrine are that matter does not
cxist-it being only a false conception of
the human mind" Nothing bad exists
it Is only thinking makes it So" Disease
does not exist-it is only a false coucep-
ton of the mind" Pain ami death are
decisions which must be exercised from
the mind by means of the incubation Of
truth"
! If these ideas are true, what deluded be
inEs God has peopled the earth with, and
instead of saying "all is vanity We may
say "all is delusion." From the child
with collie to the old man with the govt
all is delusion. The person suffering with
consumption is mistaken. lie is perfect
~ we'll The man with his joints all de-
formed with rheumatism is terribly de-
ludcd. He only thinks he has that condi-
ton. The boy with the aching tooth is
mistaken Although we may see the cav
ity and exposed nerve. he has no tooth
ache. The man who falls in the street
and is told that his leg Is broken Is per-
fectiy we'll and able to go about his bust
ness. There is no such a thing as typhoid
fever. pneumonia, cholera. small
poX. etc. They are all dclusious.
We might so on with the many
decisions that Christian Science
tells us We have. but as our time and
space is limited we will briefly glance at
the results Of the workings of this strange
doctrine.
Mr. harold Frederic of England. died
recently of pneumonia while being treat
ed by Il Christian Scientist. Mr.. Kershaw.
of Tacoma, died of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS by
n Christian Scientist. Mr.. Mcdowell. of
Cincinnati, Ohio. died of typhoid fever
treated by a Christian Scientist. Mrs.
Brown, of Washington, u. c., died of an
unnamed malady-treated by Christian
Scientist. Miss Mckee. Cape Vincent. y.
Y. died Of pneumonia while being treated
by two Christian Scientists. Miss Potter
of Northern New Jersey. died of diph-
iberia. was treated by her parents, both
Christian Scientists. The other children
who contracted the disease were saved
by medical treatment.
! We have only mentioned few OF the
number of cases reported. where the per-
sons afflicted have died while being treat
ed by Christian Scientists
What shall we say. then, of this new
idea that disease, pain and suffering dc
not exist, although we SEQ plainly the evil
denceS of such. every day? What shall we
human
ings without the. use of the niece ssar:
means given us. and depending upon di-
vino help and making the afflicted believe
that their malady does not exist?
There Is but one answer to these ques-
tons and that is that Christian Science
as applied to the cure OF disease Is a per
feet farce. and those pructicing this oil
treating the sick by such methods oil
means, should be prosecuted according t.
law
The evil resulting from such a non
: sensical treatment cannot be estimated
That disease and pain do exist. whether
we think so or not, il true. What non
sense il would be to try to make a mar
. believe that he was perfectly well wher
the body Is racked with pain and tortur
ell with disease. and where Is the orCu
, mont? For the afflicted being did honest
ly believe himself well. it would no
1 change or retard the dissolution OF tn
body and the pathological changes tina
we know take place.
How are we to estimate the great in
! Jury done by the Lack of medical treat
= ment when we do know that many dis
5 eases. when treated early. are cured:
2 The theory of Christian Science as ap
! piled to tho treatment of disease. like tn
| many other fads of the past, must soor
I cease to exist. Such UNI e,sonable idea
I have their day and die. For no matte
1 what the theory may be, practically, /
is perfect failure. Sensible and lntelli
= gent beings cannot be misled by sucl
r false doctrines. which are but the delu
= sons of fanatics.
D ELIAS PETER HICKS, NJ. d.
\ Burlington. VT.