The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-22


moved that the bill be sent to the Judi
ciary Committee as did others. Still as
it had already passed the House and was
in the Senate before it was recognized
to be such a drastic measure, it was
fortunate that it could be put before the
Assembly to get its judgment on 1t.
Until March 18th no action was taken. \
Committee of Christian Scientists re-
manned on the ground. 1t was univer-
sally understood that the bill was
sleeping" and that in the rush of the
last days of the Assembly it would be
left over. But not so. At the sugges-
tion of DR.. Lewis a special effort to have
the matter brought up was put into
effect about Il o'clock Saturday, which
was to be the last day. The spirited but
kindly discussion lasted but an hour, and
by one o'clock the greatest victory Won
in the House was declared for the Chris
tian Scientist of this State, when the
following proviso was adopted with al
most unanimous vote, less than a dozen
voting against the bill as amended by
their request through General Davidson.
Provided, that this act shall not APP
cures the sick by prayer to the Almighty
God without the use of drugs or any
material means"
The bill amended was presented at once
to the Senate and referred to the Judici-
airy Committee AS the Scientists went
over to the Senate the following note was
sent to the leader of the movement.
Your prayers have won. The bill has
gone to the Judiciary Committee of which
l am chairman" At $50 p. m. the COM
mittee met, and be it said to the credit
of Dr. R. II. Lewis, who saw the victory
on the floor of the House, and who ad-
mitted "he could not longer fight both
God and the women that before this
committee he advised that the bill be
passed with amendment protecting the
Scientists
So the bill passed its final reading in
the Senate soon after o'clock without
a dissenting vote by any one present.
On the floor of the House Mr. Morton
was the first to speak IN their behalf;
his strong remarks were favoring religi-
Gus liberty. Many soon joined him,
Messrs. Britain, Curtis and others. Mr..
Self met the objections raised by the doc
tors, (for the laymen said but little) with
the Word reading and convincing by ar
gument therefrom. both as to
their right to pray and to be
paid for it. This vigorous ap-
peal to those present to know if the Word
was believed was met by yes, yes, and
his questions on the statements of Jesus
meant to delude when stating the laborer
was worthy of his hire by no, no.
Thus the most friumDhant vipto,-xy vT-ae
won, although it was stated that at least
twenty in the House were ready to
speak for them. and the Senate, even
more strongly fortified against the enemy.
SO the Christian Scientists feel grateful
to the noble men of the General Assem-
bly, who guarded the right as we'll as the
rights of all entrusted to them.
The speeches made by Miss Harrison
at the hearing. and by Mr.. Self on the
floor of the House. give the main points
presented by the Christian Scientists and
their friends, and are given below:
Spoken by Mary Hatch Harrison at
hearing before Joint COMMITTEES on
Health, North Carolina Assembly:
The Science of God must be perfect
Science, is perfect Science. The Chris
tian Scientists are not establishing in the
''NJ - competition IL system or healing.
They are practicing the message. of God
through Christ to man. They are learn
ing hourly to live nearer to God, and to
benefit man In their effort
Mr.. Chairman, / can truly say | have
never heard a Christian Scientist spea,
against the medical profession 1t would
be useless should our religion allow it.
1t is well established. We do not com
pete with it. 1t is as separate from our
tesk as earth from Heaven They do
not touch and never will. We leave you
and the law makers of North Carolina
to yourselves. We come as a body simp-
~ to ask. as our counsel has said. to be
left alone. We ask no favor Of this as
sembly, but the privilege of living as We
are taught by God. A simple request at
your hands for the womanbood. to whom
God first spoke through our leader. Mrs.
Eddy. and for the womanhood of North
Carolina. which is represented here from
Buncombe to Craven; for the woman
hood which has chosen to come with US.
I'VE come not to wrangle, but to mani
fest the spirit of Christ. All we ask is