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

ed the greatness of our government,
without this principle, its glory cannot
endure. Strike at the rights of the in
dividual citizen, and you strike at the
very heart of Democracy. Along with
freedom to think, is the right to act as
conscience may dictate and your will di-
rect, so long as you do not trespass upon
the like and equal right of another.
intolerance has been the cause of more
misery in this world than any other
curse that has afflicted humanity, and to
me it is most remarkable, that in this
era of enlightenment saved, as never has
been, from the disease of the dark ages,
released as he has been, from the CHASTITY
nightmare of the Inquisition, to me it is
most remarkable that the representa-
lions of great and brave and free peo-
pie should be gravely asked to turn their
faces from the light of the new day and
reach out after the departing shadows of
the sombre past. That there may be no
wrong impression made, no sailing under
false course, feel that / am called upon
to tell you that do not subscribe to any
creed; yet, for the sincere followers of
Christ and for their work in making man
better, / profess and feel that regard
which borders on reverence. Things not
dreamed of in our philosophy compel me
to believe that power is manifested in
this world which bids defiance to So
called natural law, and l am advised by
the amendment offered on their behalf,
that those against whom this bill Is es-
pecially directed invoke this power-rely
upon its efficiency-to cure disease Now
come to you as men having greater
"a in, Ftf,.
tianity, than l have or profess to have,
and l read to you from this book:
Z" And Jesus went about all the cities
and villages, teaching in their syna-
gogues, and preaching the gospel of the
Kingdom, and healing every sickness and
every disease among the people. And
when he had called unto Him his twelve
disciples, he gave them power against
unclean spirits, to cast them out and to
heal all manner of sickness and all man
ner of disease" Mark then if you please
the language of the commission given to
the Twelve under the authority and seal
of the Master, and as we go, preach.
saying, The Kingdom of heaven is at
hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers,
raise the dead, cast out devils" But
am asked, "did they make people pay
for these services?" Surely. gentlemen
it cannot be that the liberal, highmindcd
self-sacrihcing men who compose the
medical fraternity in North Carolina are
lmpelled to the prosecution of this meas
ure by this consideration. | do not believe
IT, ana yet the ever-recurring inquiry is
did they charge-did they charge any,
thlng?' In reply, l quote just little
more from the words of the original COM
mission Provide neither gold nor sill
YER nor brass, in your purses; nor scrip
Tor your journey, neither two coats.
neither shoes, nor yet slaves, for the
workman is worthy of his meat"
THAT statement seems to be clear IN
you believe it? The language is pIajn
have you any doubt about it? Is the
purpose or 1t to delude? The gentleman
from neighboring county asks me if the
statute of limitations might not be in
voked against this doctrine. In renIv T
say to him that it is never regarded as p
mer1torious plea, but if he chooses to set
up the statute of limitations against this
DOCK, 1t is his affair, not mine and tbe
burden is upon him.
But it may be objected that tho no,,o,.
TO heal was not vouchsafed tn anv ov
cept those first commissioned nv Tho
Master. Let us see. | quote from tho
letter OF James to the twelve tribes
which are scattered abroad" Us apv
among you afflicted" "lct him prav Is
any merry? Let him sing psalms Is
any sick among you? Let him call for
the elders Of the church, and let tbem
pray over him, amounting him with oil
ia the name of the Lord. And the
PRAYERS of FAITH SHALL SAVE THE
SICK, and the Lord shall raise him I'm
and if he have committed sins thew shall
be forgiven him. Confess your faults one
to another that ye may be healed. The
etfectual fervent prayer of a righteous
man availeth much" And note the ar
gument which follows: ELIAS was a
MAN subject to like passions as WE are.
and he prayed earnestly that it might not
rain; and it rained not on the earth by
the space of three years and six months
And he prayed again. and the heaven
gave rain, and the earth brought L.. -
her fruit"
Does that impress you at all? Is there
anything in it? Is it true? Thousands
of people do believe that every word of
it is true, and cling to their belief with
as much earnestness and fervor and de-
votion as bind you to your most cher
ished opinions, and you are called upon
to forbid them. by legislative decree to
act and live in consonance with their
faith Against this / do protest The
doctrines of Christian Science may be
without founda ton in truth, and of this
it is not within our province to judge
but Christian Scientists, so long as they
demean themselves as loyal citizens and
have regard for the peace and good or
der of society, are entitled to the same