New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-24
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE HEALING
A System That Has Nothing to Dc
with Medical Treatment.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
/ Sir: May l reply briefly to your editorial
of April 16 in which you express the opinion
that Christian Scientists should be compelled
by law to qualify as medical practitioners
before being allowed to practise their religion
for the benefit of the sick? This opinion is,
I believe, based upon the untrue assumption
that there is some sort Of medical super
vision over people upon the part Of Christian
Science practitioners The fact is that those
who 90 to Christian Science for help get no
medical treatment Of any kind, and they are
advised by the Christian Scientists that
whenever there is a suspicion Of commu-
nicable disease they should consult regular
physician and see that all the health regula-
tons are observed. They call upon ply
sicans for diagnosis when necessary even
more punctiliously than does the average
citizen, and the health records Of the state
prove this fact.
Those who have exercised their constitu-
tional privilege to rely upon prayer as Of
fered in Christian Science, and who have not,
therefore, desired to rely upon drugs for
healing, have not been in all the years OF
successful Christian Science practice the
cause of spreading contagious disease or cpl
denies, nor have they subjected others to
danger in this direction. 1t is due to Chris
ton Science to state this, and the records of
the health departments will bear this out,
however much intentional or unntentional
Misrepresentation has been advanced to the
contrary. At the same time, it may be OBJ
served that Christian Science churches, whose
members are at least Of average intelligence,
who are well and happy and helpful members
Of the community, have sprung up broadcast
to testify 70 the healing efficacy Of the princi-
pie of the prayers offered.
The history Of Christian Science up to date
is remarkable one. and IS good proof that
freedom TO worship God according to ones
conscience, even if that worship goes so far
as to rely upon God alone for the healing Of
disease, is perfectly compatible with protec-
ton of the public health. Such regulations
as have heretofore governed Christian Sci
entists in their ministratons to the sick have
not included compulsory medical study be-
cause it is very generally recognized by those
who understand the nature of this treatment
that it has nothing to do with medical treat
ment. Here a distinction should be made
between the law which requires those who
practise medicine TO qualify as physicians
and the health or sanitary regulations which
apply to all citizens under the rules of the
Board of Health or similar authority, and by
are governed. These regulations are suf-
fcent to safeguard the health Of the people
and have proved so in the practice of Chris
tian Science up to now. It should be recog-
nized that our state and national laws do
not require Of spiritual advisers whether
clergymen of other denominations or Chris
tian Scientists, a medical training in order
TO qualify in ministering either to tho sick
or the sinful
~ should not be assumed that Christian
Scientists are bent upon evsdng the law re-
latng TO the practice OF medicine. They
neither diagnose nor treat disease, nor do
they advise those who come 20 them in re-
gard TO the care of their bodies Their prac-
tice consists solely in "ministerng to a mind
diseased" as Shakespeare puts il in the play
Of Macbeth" This requires no medical
preparation, else cergymen should also come
under the provision. Is il the province of our
government to decide the religion of its citi-
zens and compel them to mix drugs and
prayer il they do not so conceive Of the d.
vine power? Is the state TO say that It is
legal to preach the religion Of Christ and it's
benefits, but illegal to practise this religion
The efficacy Of prayer depends upon virtue
and Christlikeness, not upon a medical knowl-
edge. Is the state to declare that "the prayer
Of righteous man availeth much" only when
accompanied by medical qualifications, and
20 declare Illegal and unavailable 70 man
kind the prayers OF all those who have not
so qualified? Such paternaism on the part
Of the government applying to the practice
Of the Christian religion is not inherent in
our national life. Our citizens have not been
trained TO expect it or to accept it.
JESSE PICKARD.
New York, April 20, 1915.