The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-15

Excerpts from the editorial in the
Christian Science Sentinel of November
will afford the reader a better view
OF Mrs. Eddy's real attitude OH the sub
1ect OF infectious and contagious diseases
than could be obtained from the brief
quotations in the Geographic reports.
After noting the guarantees of religious
liberty in the constitution of the United
states and some of the State constitu-
tiCns, the editorial proceeds.
mo one at all familiar with the New
Testament will deny that Jesus Christ
taught his followers to heal the sick,
that he used no material means in heal
ing those who came to him, that he
taught his followers to heal as he healed.
and that his immediate followers healed
without material means. Ii is therefore
fact that the religion of Christ liz
clu6es healing without drugs or other
material remedies, and this has been
recognized, in some degree, by Christian
teachers of all faiths. The establish
ment of this fact places Christian heal
ing within the protection of the religious
liberty guaranteed by the constitution.
The fact that so-called material
science has declared for n 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"
different phase of the question is pre-
scented, however, in the matter of re-
porting cases of so-called contagious dis
eases in keeping with the law or regula
ton which, subject TO the above consti-
tutional limitations, has been enacted
with view to conserve the public wei
fare. And so long as the law demands
that such cases be reported Christian
Scientists should be prompt and unfail-
ing in their obedience and give the pub
- lie the benefit of any serious doubt which
may attend the classification Of dis
case.
Respecting this our leader has said:
ION the subject of reporting cOnta-
gion l have this to say: I have always
believed that Christian Scientists should
be abiding; and, actuated by this
conviction. / authorized the following
statement. which appeared in the Boston
Herald about one year ago: Rather
than quarrel over vaccination, l recon-
mend that if the law demand an individ-
ual to submit to this process, he obey
the law: and then appeal to the gos-
pei to save him from any bad results
Whatever oranges DeloHS W tlllS CtHbuIy,
or any epoch, we may safely submit TO
the providence of God, 20 common JUS
tce, individual rights and governmental
usages.'
This statement should be so interpre
ted as to apply, on the basis OF Chris
tian Science, to the reporting of conta-
gion to the proper authorities, when the
law so requires. When Jesus was qucs-
toned about obeying the human law, he
declared Render unto Cesar the things
that are Cesar's, even while you render
unto God the things that are Gods"
Then follows a mention of the sue
cess of Christian Science and it's steady
growth during the past SO years, the
editorial closing with this authoritative
announcement, which is between inver-
ted commas and seems to be n quotation
from Mrs Eddys instructions to the edi-
tor:
Mrs. Eddy advises that until the pub
lie thought becomes better acquainted
With Christian Science, the Christian
Scientists shall decline to doctor infec
tious or contagious diseases"
The editorial is signed Archibald Nc
Lellan, Editor"