The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-04-05

wilful. causeIess and irremediable, may
be presumed to be accompanied by adul-
terry But in either case the guilty party
should not be allowed to re-marry. That
is putting a premium on unfaithfulness.
Florida had its Flagler scandal, in which
a bill was put through for the benefit OF
one man. The example of Florida is a
mighty good one not to follow in that
particular
And then the Christian Scientists won
a notable victory we are told. An eI-
celent law had been proposed defining
the practice of medicine for which the
practitioner charges a fee. II was ruined
bv this amendment, Provided that this
shall not apply to any person who min
listers to the sick by prayer to the AL
mighty God without the use of drugs or
any material means
That is regarded as putting a premium
on Christian Science. The other quacks
and perhaps some who really do good
through material means that they use,
are kept from practicing in North Caro-
lima. But the worst quacks of all, the
blasphemous sect that worships a foolish
old woman in New England is patted c:
the back and told to go ahead with its
murderous work We not only need men
in the halls of Legislation, but men
with backbone enough to stand out
against a lot of silly women.
And the slime of money was over it all
The law of North Carolina does not at
tempt to keep people from making fools
of themselves. But it surely has right
to say that they shall not practice fraud
for pay The unscientific, anti Christian
! - of cn nm a
would have been welcome to get off their
gibberish to their hearts content. But II
is Just as wrong for them to get pay
for their mummeries as it is for man
to sell another a gold brick, and it ought
to be just as unlawful. 1t is obtaining
money under false pretenses. The way
the adherents of that sect floclSed to Raj
eigh to save their precious fees ought to
open the eyes of their dupes to the real
definition of Christian Science, which is,
according to Mr. Dooley, Zone way of
making the money"
Perhaps we shall need a few more
child-murderers in North Carolina, a few
little innocents left to die with diph-
iberia and scarlet fever, while the
''healers" talk about 1.-The delusions OF
mortal mind" at so much delusion, be-
fore We shall wake up to the iniquity of
their practices. The present law would
probably absolve from responsibility the
people who under the common law
might be punished for criminal neglect.
But the way has been blazed out, how
to get rid of the Scientists. The pocket
nerve has been shown to be exceedingly
sensitive for people who deny the exist
ence of pain. They have confessed them
selves to be about as keen after money
as could be believed for those who deny
the reality of matter Gold and silver
and paper money are not the imaginary
things that the diseases are for which
the money goes in payment
In other words, as long as the Chris
tian Scientists merely wish to act the
charitable part of fool-killers and will
let the children alone and will obey the
quarantine laws, the law should let them
alone. But as the sect is yet young it
might reasonably be asked to furnish n
Few martyrs who would be required to
pray without pay. Simon Peter said to
simon Magus who thought that the gift
or God could be purchased with money
Ihy money perish with thee" The
laws of the land need only say to these
modern descendants of Simon Magus
Your money PERISH" and they will
emigrate to colder and more congeniaI
chimes.