The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-20
Prosecuting Christian Scientists.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis journal:
Your issue of the Sth inst. contains a
threat by a member Of the State Medical
Board that Christian Scientists will be pros
ecuted in Indiana for practicing medicine
without license. The medical law is SO
framed that none but drug physicians and
osteopaths can procure a license. This is
an assumption that drug medication is a
science and not merely experimental 1t is
an assumption also that Christian Scientists
practice medicine" and that they profess
to be able to heal the sick. All these as
sumptions are untrue.
Christian ScienH is a religion. not a meth
cd of practicing medicine. True, the healing
of sickness follows as an incident to the re-
ligious work, 'sign following" to prove
the truth of its doctrine. In this it follows
the works of Jesus, the apostles and
early Christians, who depended upon those
works of healing the sick, ETC., to prove
the verities Of Christianity and TO spread
the gospel good news.) Christian Scientists
believe that theirs Is the new-od religion
taught by Jesus restored to it's original pur-
ity and vigor. Jesus and the early Chris
tians found that all forms of sickness. as
well as sin, were durable through the min
istry of their religion and Christian Scien-
lists are rejoicing over similar experiences
all over the world. They are finding that.
through the new-old religion taught by
Jesus, sickness and sin are both DESTROYED
through purely spiritual processes without
drugs as in Jesus day. They are seeking
to obey their religious consciences i'm obey
ing the command Of Jesus, which they UNI
derstand was directed to his followers of all
times: Preach the gospel; heal the sick"
1t is an integral part of their religion that
Jesus did not promise falsely when he said:
l do he shall do Also"
No Christian Scientist claims that he
heals sickness. God Is the great physi-
cian." 1t Is In God that we live and move
feasible right of religious conscience to pray
for the sick, just as clergymen and friends
do. But they seek ito pray Alright and
already all over this and other countries in
thousands upon thousands OF instances by
unquestionable demonstrations that it is
true, the Scripture declares that ..the
prayer of faith shall heal the sick" They
rely upon the guarantee i'm our Indiana Con-
stitution: mo law shall, in any case what
ever, control the free exercise and enjoy
ment of religious opinions or interfere with
the rights OF conscience" Because the
prayers of Christian Science are efficacious
is no reason why they should be singled out
for prosecution by the State Medical Board
If they are not efficacious no such threat
would be made, any mere than against the
clergyman who prays for the recovery of
member OF his flock Let those take
drugs who wish TO. But no humanitarian
physician can do otherwise than rejoice
when suffering is relieved by prayer / do
not believe that. upon more serious consid-
GRAFTON, the Medical Board of Indiana will
wish to interfere with the great mission of
Christian Science any more than IL would
with the mission of Jesus and the early
apostles and Christians IL on earth
Yet the law would apply to them as well
as to us
Our position Christian Scientists is
this, and IL is based on the fundaments of
civil and religious liberty: We obey the
laws respecting contagious and infectious
diseases out of respect TO the rights of the
majority. but I'm those cases which concern
the individual, and not the public. our posi-
be permitted 10 have them and those who
prefer prayer and the seeking of Gods help
/ should also be permitted To exercise their
| choice. CLARENCE A. BUSKIRK.
Princeton. Ind. Aug. Is.