Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-05-23
PastoraI-Be Not Afraid.

Dear Brethren:-On account OF the
disease which was first known as
chicken pox, as / am informed, and
secondly as small pox in light form,
and the alarm on account thereof,
people are not to be blamed for their
fear, even when there is no cause for
trembling, but having regard for the
feelings of my people under all circum-
stances, will not make calls, where
the families are afraid that, by my
doing so.they might in the least be
exposed but allow me to say that a
clergyman OF my experience knows
how to protect himself against even
contagious disease as wellas infectious
disease. A clergyman of experience
in these diseases takes the same pre-
caution that a physician takes, and /
doubt if one of our physicians in ten
change clothing after seeing his
patient, but goes from patient to
patient until he has gone the rounds
and then to his office where people can
see him at willard who ever heard
of any physician spreading contagious
or infectious diseases by doing so?
AS to our present disease, it has
| been, SO am told on our streets, and
| in our business houses for three
months, if such is the fact, it is self
evident that it is not contagious
though it may be infectious. And as
our physicians have the matter well
in hand, the facts do not warrant the
alarm which seems to have spread
among the people. In my experience
for years, among contagious and
Infectious diseases, have found those
most alarmed to be in the greatest
danger of taking it.
The closing of our churches last
Sunday was in my judgement, not a
wise step--though 1 cheerfully COM
piled with the request, but am salts
fed that it was factor in booming
the scare. / am quite sure the
disease will not be spread much
beyond the families now suffering
with it. / believe the wise course to
pursue is to strictly attend to business,
religious and commercial, let the
1 church services be held as usual on
4 Wednesdays and Sundays, and let the
prayers of Gods people be anauxiliary
to the efforts of our physicians in
4 stamping out the unwelcome visitor
i that will be true christian science ano
| it will prevail. Unless there be causes
other than those now manifest, there
will be service in Grace Church or
! Wednesday evening and on Sunday a!
usual. And the prayer provided fol
/ such emergencies will be said.
I am informed thata wise man II
an other part of the state has pro
, uounced similar disease small pox-
when the sequel proved that it wa
mot small pox at all. / think, while
sympathize with the fearful, tina
there is no cause for alarm, such a
: now burdens us, and if it continue
will injure the trade of our town fit
to seyenty-fye thousand dollars
Would itnot be wise for our phys
j. clans to instruct the people rs to th
g best antidote as a preventative.
5 Faithfully your pastor,
REV. A. ". GoRRELL.
r Allow me to say further, in walkin
Z over a part of the south and the mort
Il side Sunday, / saw children, adult
r and grown people, walking, riding an
II playing everywhere, to close ii
schools would be unwise, because tt
e, boys and girls would be everywhel
20 playing In the streets and lawns, al
u u in more danger of spreading Il
i. disease than while in school.
ny ...--