Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-06-11

tural passages interspersed with CORE
lative selections from the Christian
Science text book. Science and Health
With Key to the Scriptures, by Mrs
Eddy.
Today is the date of the annual COM
munion service, and in addition to the
usual service and the dedicatory ad-
dress. there will be added the charac-
teristic communion of the Christian
Scientists, which consists of a silent
service during which the entire con
gregation kneels in self-examinatioi.
and communion with God. This part
of the service closes with the repeti-
ton of the Lords prayer in unison.
An interesting and distinctive serv-
ice in the Christian Science church IS
the Wednesday evening meeting which
is devoted exclusively to testimonies
and experiences descriptive of the ben
efits received from Christian Science
These meetings at the mother church
of the denomination in Boston are said
to be, as rule. of more than average
interest because Boston, being the
headquarters of the denomination, is
frequently visited by Christian Scien-
lists from all parts of the United States
Canada, and other countries.
One hundred forty-fve church edi
fees have already been erected by the
Christian Scientists. These as a whole.
compare favorably with those of the
older denominations. 1t is said that
when funds are no longer needed foI
the completion of the Mother Church
a large number of buildings will be
commenced in different parts of the
country.
Christian Science Practice.
Having noted the criticism that
Christian Science is a menace to pub
lie health because of the attitude of its
practitioners in regard to the quaran
tine and treatment of contagious cases
and its attempt to care for children,
pains have been taken to investigate
the conduct of Christian Scientists
with regard to these matters 1t has
been found that the children of Chris
tian Scientist parents are, to say the
least. quite as strong and healthy as
those of other people. They are less
subject to disease, they have less fear
and manifest a high degree of happi-
mss and contentment. On the subject
of cOntagion an authority writes.
Practitioners of Christian Science are
usually careful in the observance OF
quarantine for they are anxious to
avoid the risk and extra labor which is
incurred by allowing their patients to
mingle with the public. The Christian
Scientist is aware that so long as the
law of contagion exists it cannot be
ignored but must be wisely dealt with.
When necessary the Christian Scien-
fist follows the same course which is
followed by those who believe in medi- |
cine. namely, he calls an experienced
medical diagnostician to examine the
case, and if he finds it to be a con-
tagious disease. he is counselled by
Mrs. Eddy not TO assume charge of it. |
1t is affirmed that Christian Scientists |
are less liable TO contagious diseases |
than they were before they became |
Christian Scientists, and that they |
contagious cases so success
fully that they have contributed large |
~ toward minimizing the fear OF con- |
tagion and thus toward the abolition of |
epidemics.''
Whenever this question of contagion |
comes up. Christian Scientists refer to /
the following unequivocal statement by |
Mrs. Eddy:
ION the subject of reporting conta-
gion / have this to say: | have always
believed that Christian Scientists
should be law-abiding; and, actuated
by this conviction, 1 authorized the fol
lowing statement: Rather than quar-
rel over vaccination, / recommend that !!
If the law demand an individual to sub
nit to this process, he obey the law
and then appeal to the gospel to save
him from any bad results. Whatever
changes belong to this century. or any
epoch, we may safely submit to the
of God; to common justice,
Individual rights, and governmental us
ages
"This statement should be so inter-