Mexico weekly ledger., 1901-03-28
To the Editor of the Ledger.

most consummate skill in all depart
ments of life work. No class Of citi-
zens spends so much time and energy
in trying to acquire skill In working
out the innumerable problems of life,
whether Industrial, social or religious.
1t should be distinctly understood by
your readers that Christian Scientists
refute the statement that their OPP
position to the Hall Medical Bill wa
on the ground of opposition to the
provisions exacting skill and pro-
ficiency ON the part Of the doctors,
but because Of its prohibition to meta
physical healing.
The question of the Christian
Science practitioner being recon-
pensed for his work has nothing what
ever to do with the merits Of the sub
ject. II the healing is based upon
right principles, and is effective, it
will stand, the question Of a fee being
entirely extraneous. However, the
laborer is worthy of his hire, and an in
justice is done to both sides when lab
or is given without compensation. The
charge Of a Scientist is small when
compared to the minister, lawyer or
doctor. Jesus, the great Example, was
not a beggar, but He and His disciples
had money provided for them as they
went about doing good. Christian
Science practitioners do no not adver-
tise or solicit patronage, and those
who go to them for help do so Of their
own volition because they have ex-
hausted material means, or because Of
the beneficial effects OF Christian
Science upon Others. AS a fair esti-
mate, it may be said that 80 per cent.
Of those seeking healing in Christian
Science arepersons who have Affections
pronounced incurable by materia
medica, and rs per cent Of those who
come are successfully treated. 1t is no
longer a visionary romance that
Christian Science heals, that these peo-
pie are healthy above their fellows-it
is an accepted fact, and one acknowl-
edged by many leading physicians,
hence / will not stay longer on this
phase Of the question, but briefly
show why 1t is unfair to ask Christian
Scientists to pass a medical examine
tion before treating the sick.
Civilization in its progressive steps
has always been accompanied by
Christianity. The life and works of
Jesus Christ are presumably the work
ing basis for all Christian individuals
and Christian nations. The Christ
ian Scientist looks upon the healing
work of Jesus as based upon upon a tr-
ing principle; a principle existent in
the very nature of things, viz; God
the source, cause and ultimate OF all
things. This power of healing Jesus
told his followers, could be used by
them to an even greater extent than
He used it. (He would be a criminal
If He should heal the sick and raise
the dead in Missouri today This
power consists in a fuller understand
ing of God and mans relation to Him;
an understanding which can be exact,
reliable, consistent, logical, Invaluable;
that is, scientific. God is Spirit, Mind.
God is all. Hence all is Mind, and man
as His offspring must be spiritual. A
realization of this removes the appar-
emit discords of sin and disease. This
is not merely a theoretical ~syllogism,
but a fact that is being demonstrated
by ChristianScientist every day. Philo-
sophy has tried for years to reconcile
matter and mind, and has succeeded
only in saying that all we know about
matter is that we have a material
sense. To quote Huxley, to whom DIR.
Kuhn refers asl a product of medical
science-"After all whatd do we know Of
this terrible matter, except as a name
for the unknown hypothetical cause of
states of our own consciousness. Now
If this consciousness of matter referred
to can be replaced by a consciousness
Of spirit, good health and harmony, we
will be we'll physically. This is a
livable fact as attested by the lives
Of Christian Scientists. AS thus out
lined, it is seen that the method OF
treatment is metaphysical, which
makes a physical examination absurd.
1t will not suffice to lightly scott at or
overlook this Christian method OF
healing, especially since the followers
OF Aesculapius can bynomeans point to
great success in either preventing or
curing disease. Every year brings
forth new medical facts, and medical
knowledge is increased, but new dis
eases are constantly being added to
the list, and the death rate isnot de-
creasing. Oliver Wendell Holmes
said 81 firmly believe that II the
whole materia medica could be sunk
, to the bottom Of the sea it would be
all the better for mankind and all the
worse for the fishes" DIR. Kuhn says
"The known laws Of health are the
scientific treatment of disease What
are these laws Of health9 Are they
not matters Of opinion merely Are
they not vigorously followed by thous'
( ands who are sick, but who find no re
c lief? Does not a patient in changing
, physicians very often find the treat
( ment Of one the opposite of the other
h though both were Of the anne school!
Is this scientific?
Christian Scientists are careful K
obey the laws Of the land in regard L
sanitation and contagious diseases
and any intimation that the human
race is exposed to pestilence and con
r tagion, and that the lives Of children
are je~opardized by Christian Science
is untrue and unjust. On the contrary
: Christian Science children can NO
only often heal their W troubles
4 but help adults, so clear is their un
derstanding OF Gods love. II the PEG
pie need protection from metaphysical
healing, as the doctors seem to think
they will ask for 1t, but they are no
asking for it, nor desiring IT, as wa
evidenced by the large number VIII
went to jefferson City 10 oppose tn
: passage OF the Han Medical Bill, an
e by the thousands who signed petition
o against IL. A Christian Scientist bC
lieyes prominently In personal libeI
Inv. II man desires 70 place himsel