The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-11-16
RIGHTS AND DUTIES
An Exposition Of tho Principles Ct the COTE
tian Scientists.
(From the Christian Science sentinel
November 3rd.)


Christian Scientists present themselves
| to the world as people consistently Ioi-
lowing the teachings of Jesus, the ac-
| oontod Master and Exemplar of Chris
tianitv. rendering to God the things that
arc Gods and to Caesar the things that
are Caesars. Their position is that OF
law-abiding citizens, enjoined to De
scrupulously exact in observing the laws
of the land, careful of the rights OF. tnelr
fcllowmen. asking no more for them
selves than they are willing to grant 10
others. and patiently to seek the religi-
Gus liberty guaranteed to all men undef
the constitution of all free countries.
The first amendment of the constitu-
ton of the United States provides that
Congress shall make no law respecting
an establishment of religion or prohibit
ing the free exercise thereof ana
further oath amendment Sec. -, that
mo State shall make or enforce any Ia"
which shall abrdge the privileges or
immunities of citizens of the united
States nor deny to any person
within it's jurisdiction the equal protec-
ton of the laws.
The essential features of these pro-
visions of the Federal Constitution re-
appear in the Constitution of the severai
States. of which the following except
from the Constitution of the State or
Illinois may serve as an example:
.The free exercise and enjoyment Of
religious profession and worship without
discrimination shall forever be guaran-
teed; and no person shall be denied any
civil or political right, privilege, or ca
pacity. on account of his religious opln-
IONS
In a majority of the progressive and
enlightened nations of the world, some
form of the Christian religion, the teach
ings of Jesus Christ, is prescribed as the
religion of the State, in others CHRIS
tianity is recognized as the prevailing
religion Of the people. The United states
is within this latter class, because the
! great majority of our people profess some
form of Christianity. We may, therefore,
saw that this is Christian, country, ana
no one should have the hardihood TO dis
pute the right of any and every person
to practise Christianity, or as Webster
defines it, 1.-The system of doctrines and
precepts taught by Christ,
No one at all familiar with the New
| Testament will deny that Jesus Christ
taught his follower to heal the sick, that
he used TO material means in heallng
| those who came to him; that he taught
! his followers to heal as he healed, ana
| that his immediate followers healed
| without material means. 1t is therefore
| a fact that the religion CT Christ lncludeS
healing without drugs or other materlai
| remedies, and this has been recognized
in some degree, by Christian teachers
of all faiths. The establishment OF THIS
! fact places Christian healing within the
protection of the religious liberty guar
anteed by the Constitution. The fact
that so-called material science has de-
clared for a system of drugs does not
alter the fundamental law of the land'
nor does it give reason for invading the
personal and religious liberty OF the
| people.
| A different phase of the question is
presented, however, in the matter OF re-
porting cases OF so-called contagious DIS
ease, in keeping with the law or regula-
| ton which, subject to the above consul
| tutional limitations base been enacted
| with a view to conserve the pubic wei
fare. and so long as the law demands
that such cases be reported, CHRISTIAN
i Scientist should be prompt and unfalf1ng
| in their obedience and give the puphc
the benefit of any serious doubt, when
NAV attend the classification OF disease
Respecting this our Leader has said:
"On the subject of reporting contaglon
have this to say: | have always pc
lieved that Christian Scientists should
be law abiding; and, actuated by TINS
conviction. authorized the following
statement, which appeared in the Bos-
ton Herald about one year ago:
"'Rather than quarrel over VAGINA
ttion. | recommend that if the law de-
mand an individual to submit to this pro
cess. he obey the law; and then appea
to the gospel to save him from any bac
results. Whatever changes belong tt
this century, or any epoch we may sate
Iy submit to the providence or Co.. tc
common justice individual rights, ane
| governmental usages.
"rhis statement should be so inter
preted as to apply. on the basis or CHRIS
tian Science to the reporting of con
tagion to the proper authorities Whei
the law so requires. When Jesus was
questioned about obeying the human la"
he declared Render unto Caesar th'
things that are Caesars, even while yol
render unto God the things that are
iGods.'
Healing through Christian Science mas
been before the public for some thirty
six years and Notwithstanding that ]
has been the subject of bitter criticism
and merciless attack, it has won its wa.
to public confidence through the healln'
of every form of disease.
It's adherents are healthy. happy mel
and women, and in unnumbered cases the.
were made healthy and happy, through
Christian Science after years OF suffering
and after medical and surgical treatmen
had utterly failed. If there were blu
one such case it would present justin
cation for the existence of the Church o
Christ, Scientist, but there are thousands
| To demand of Christian Scientists I'm
vary success in overcoming diseases is t
subject them to a test which would ut
terly and forever condemn the materla
methods of treatment for which the eX
actors stand While Christian Scientist
, rejoice in achievements which have re
moved ali doubt, both as TO the sufficicnc
( of the Principle of Christian Science, an
!. as to the only safe and wise course TO
them TO pursue, they recognize that the
ARE but relative beginners in the ap
L ii ..,N