The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-09
AN EXCLUSIVE SECT.
Dihic ulties I'm the Way of Becoming
a Christian Science Healer.
Tew York Letter in Philadelphia Press

New York Letter In Philadelphia PreSs.
When the Press commissioned me to OBJ
tain the degree of &C. S." which would EN-
power me to practice Christian Science heal
ing from some one OF the many Institutes
recognized by the mother church In Boston.
1t was with three objects in view:
Ffrst-That the degree should be obtained
no matter what expense or labor might be
involved and in spite OF all difficulties which
might present themselves.
Second-That the experience gained by me
In my course and the workings of the Chris
tian Scientists as a body should be laid bare
before the people, coneealing nothing.
Third-That absolute justice should be done
to every one. While all that appeared to be
absurd and at war. with common sense
should be pitilessly exposed and brought into
publicity, anything worthy of approval or
that even called for further thought should
both Christian Scientists and all others
should have an equally fair show.
As regards the first object. all that need
be said is that obtained the degree and the
Press was successful, as 1t always Is. when
it starts in on any action. A separate story
might be written OF the many obstacles that
was actually and finally graduated.
There are perhaps fifty or sixty OF those
graduating Institutes scattered over the
two classes a year 1t is only by diligent in
curry that it is possible to discover when one
OF these classes IS spout to form: The dates
Of keeping away unwelcome students, such
as reporters. for instance. 1 had been obliged
to talk with and inquire of scores of Chris
tan Scientists before / found out that 8
course was just commencing at the Lansing
burg Institute where 1 graduated.
Then, again. but thirty students are al
always the possibility of a class being
full before you can get in your applica-
ton. Many students who have been
attached to their own particular church
have been obliged to go elsewhere or
wait six months for the next course:
class about to begin, and there Is vacancy
in it for you, your troubles are not ended
by any means The applicant is subjected
to the most rigid examination that can pos
sibly be imagined. This is always done
to every one who makes his appearance at
a Christian Science institute tut Financial
this.
1t will be seen that with two classes a
year and thirty students in each at 800
a head the principal makes 5000 a year
out of his teaching. That il all the
church allows him to make out of teach
deal besides out OF healing at IS and upward
a case.
complishes several objects. In the first
place the person who wishes to take the
course and become healer is generally
supposed to have been follower of the
stranger has no desire to do so, and would
be looked upon with suspicion. He must
nave all the SrOunuWOTk InTOrOuR0ly Du1lI
up before he Is permitted to erect the
pedestal of a Christian Science degree.
Furthermore, the big people in Boston.
who control the whole movement, do not
want Tom, Dick and Harry to become heal
ers no matter how earnest and sincere they
may be in their faith. They do not care TO
send people out into the world with degrees
who are liable to make bungle of 1t and
get the Christian science movement into
further iii repute. Their idea is to select
such members of their church as show that
they have sufficient tact and judgment to
keep their skirts and the skirts of the mother
church clean.
But not the least important reason OF
the care exercised in admitting students
is the fact that 1t keeps out Objectionable
persons. The three enemies of Christian
science are the press. the pulpit and the
physician. / have been told again and
again that reporters, doctors and clergy
men have tried to become students and have
failed There are few reporters and physi-
clans who could go through that continued
cross-examnation without revealing their
identity, even If they possessed sufficient
knowledge OF the Bible to hold their ground
Then, again, admission into the class does
not insure the degree. At one time during
the course, If anything should transpire that
aroused suspicion in the mind Of the prin-
cipal or doubts as TO the desirability of AL
lowing a student to become a G. g., that
particular member of the class is quietly
informed that he is not yet ready" to pass
He is told to go away and diligently study
the Scriptures and Mrs. Eddy's Science and
Health" for another year.