The San Francisco call., 1908-12-20

! TO an imposSibslity for one who believes
in the material theory OF the cause and
cure of disease TO admit that organic
disorders can be healed by purely spir-
itual means. Not long ago man who
was afflicted with what had been pro-
no1nced Bright's Disease by one OF the
foremost experts of this country. il not
the foremost. after eNhausting his hope
/ in material remedies. was healed by
Christian Science. Thereafter he re-
turned to the noted specialist for an ex-
animation in order TO make sure that
/ he was really cured. After a second
very careful examination the physician
was unable to discover any Brights
| Disease. but. instead of admitting that
| the rescued man had been healed of the
disease. he gravely said, For the first
time in my life / have been mistaken in
my diagnosis" Another patient had
been treated for several years by a
physician who pronounced her disease
tuberculosis of the lungs She too
turned to Christian Science and was
healed. after which the physician said
that she could not have had consump-
| tion. for If she had had the disease she
could not have been cured by Christian
Science So it appears that. as a rule.
the physicians decision that Christian
.I / OClCutt can HOL neal organic disease -
based largely, if not altogether. upon
the opinion that the nature of organic
disease is such that it can not be thus
healed
! If we may not depend upon the dag
noses of the most learned and expert
enced physicians in dealing with such
extremely pronounced cases, upon what
evidence can it be decided that Chris
Ilan science does not heal organic dis
eases? II the line of demarkation be-
tween organic and functional disorders
Is so Blurred" that even the experts
can not discern IL, may it not after all
be true that there is no line of demark-
alton except in mistaken belief? After
all, the cause OF disease lies deeper than
functional or organic ills-the real
cause IS mental, fact which Is proved
When by correcting the mental cOndi-
accordingly.
Those who take the position that or
ganic troubles can not be cured by spir-
1tual means, but must be left TO tho
medical practitioner, declare in sub
stance that the healings of jesus were
confined to functional disorders On
the other hand. il they admit that Jesus
ns,aled organic diseases. they must ad,
who heal according TO his method will
be able to do likewise
Christian Scientists are well aware
of their shortcomings, their inability to
j produce the full fruitage of Christian
Science. owing to their present insuffi-
. lSANAAS oPi1ALUd1 apprehension But L0cY
have proved by experience that they
may do more for themselves and others
with Christian Science and without ma
terlal remedies than they have formerly
been able to do with material remedies
and without Christian Science and this
1ustifies the iposition which they take.
There may be some exceptions TO the
rule which we have mentioned some
extreme cases that would justify a
modification of the Christian Scientists
1 regular practice, and it is left with the
judgment of the individual student to
attempt only that which observation
and experience convince him may be
undertaken with a reasonable degree
of success.
COMPENSATION
One Of the criticisms made by some
Movement is that Christian M Aseienasts scientists
accept fee. while the new plan is
conducted without fee. 1t is not in
siderable reluctance that we call our
readers attention to the fact that.
while in sd the Emmanuel Church at Bos-
practice suggestion" we are inform
ed by Dr. Worcester that no patients
are accepted for treatment whose cases
passed upon by a regular physician.
and that during their course Of treat:
by physician. who charges a fee for
his service The writer happens TO
know w, Of :, LADY, LADY who applied for help
first to one physician and then to an
other. Each charged her a fee OF
that this expense OF $1,000 was Incurred
while under the direction OF those
in charge OF the Emmanuel Movement.
; 1t should also be noted that $1,000 pays
for four weeks service from the most
proficient Christian Scientist praetl-
will offerings are accepted for the sup
port Of his movement. This is an ad-
specting person who is able is expected
to pay in order TO balance accounts
with his own conscience. Many surely
better plan for both the patient and the
practitioner. Moreover the argument
that the acceptance Of a fee for serv-
ice rendered Is unchristian is borne
out neither By experience nor by
-Scriptural teaching
only abnormal but also unjust to ac-
cept something for nothing. Although
one individual might be wiling 70
the question arises. would IT be fair
for the other to accept the service
without giving an equivalent therefor
1t is also wrong to educate selfishness
in another. and indeed to use the privl-
lege Of serving another without com
selfish and thus win the praise or our
fellows Is itself selfish. for whatever OF
unseldshness is gained in the transae-
isuDposed beneficiary and by leaving
him in his selfishness- The self-respect
generally accepted rule that every in
dividua1 should be properly compen-
sated for a service rendered another.
Il Jesus said THE laborer is worthy OF
his hire which OF course means that
he is worthy OF proper remuneration
There might be a difference OF opinion
as to what would constitute extort1on
or overcharge, but so far as is within
the Judgment of those concerned the
fee charged for a service should be an
equivalent for the service rendered 50
long as elergymen are receiving an
adequate salary from their congrega-
ton they NAV forego the privilege OF
accepting a fee from individuals who
apply to them for help. and we think
they would be justified in declining
fee under such circumstances provided
the individual beneficiary contributes
sufficiently to the general fund which
supports them
If our competitors can find no more
worthy ground upon which to md fault
with us than TO attack our honest, dig
lnified. acceptable and successful dnan-
Ecia1 methods and our adherence to the