Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-21
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE AND WAR
A Statement Of Principles Respect
ing National Hostilities.

| To the Editor Of The Star:
In The Star Of April Is lieutenant
in the United States Navy is quoted as
saying at a Star recruiting meeting:
I'VE can't fight Germany with Chris
tian Science methods We must have
men"
Just exactly what the lieutenant
meant by this statement no one but the
gentleman himself knows; but if he
meant that Christian Scientists are not
ready at all times to do their part in
upholding the rights and the honor of
the nation in any and every way they
may be called upon. he is greatly mis-
Scientists and the teachings of their
leader Mrs. Eddy.
Christian Scientists stand shoulder
and shoulder today with every loyal
army and navy of the United States at
this moment there are no better SOL
diers or sailors than those who are
Christian Scientists. and there are
many such in both branches of the
service. Christian Scientists know their
duty to their country and they will do
it.
That you may know that this is not
merely my personal opinion. but is the
attitude of Christian Scientists
quote from an editorial in the current
number of the Christian Science SEN
tinel. one of the official publications of
the Christian Science organization, as
follows:
Christian Scientists stand for pres
ent and permanent peace. Not for
one moment would we be understood
as advocating war. War is horrible I'M
der any circumstances. but when the
question of right or wrong is in the
In al mi hax
failed. there is vast difference be-
tween the declaration of a state of war
which arms this country for its own
defense against aggression. and for
the preservation of the rights and lib
erty of humanity, and war declared by
an aggressor for offensive and selfish
purposes. In the titanic struggle now
going on, Christian Scientists the world
over have followed their leader in bas-
ing their hopes and efforts for peace in
unwavering reliance upon the God of
Hosts. Nor are they to be con-
demned if. when the call of duty came,
they remembered that leaders counsel,
If our nations rights or honor were
seized, every citizen would be soldier,
and woman would be armed with power
grit for the hour cMiscellany.' p. 27D,
and felt themselves privileged to obey
the call.
laration on the part of Mrs. Eddy is
evidenced by her further statement,
given to the field ten years later.
After stating that for many years she
had prayed daily that there be no more
war. that all the peoples on earth
ana the islands Of the sea have one
God, one mind; love God supremacy and
love their neighbor as themselves she
added, with that illuminative and wise
foresight which SO characterized her
utterances. 1t is unquestionable, how
ever that at this hour the armament Of
nav1es is necessary, for the purpose of
preventing war and preserving peace
among nations (Miscellany,' D. $3.50.
Not Tor aggressive warfare. be it noted
shall navies be maintained, but for the
preventing of hostilities and the pre-
serving of peace-a line of action with
which the attitude of our nation in the
present crisis Is in entire consonance,
because 1t has for its purpose the es-
tablishing OF permanent peace and the
preserving of democracy and human
rights" HIRAM W. HAYES,
Committee on Publication.