Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1918-06-24
MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED PREss
IN DEFENSE OF
GUSTAVUS S. PAINE
Reno. Nevada, June 20, 1918

GUSTAVUS S. PAINE
Reno. Nevada, June 20, 1918.
Editor Elko Independent, Elko, Nevada
Dear Sir-Your recent editorial with reference TO
Mr. Paine and his before the district board &c m
Just unfair papaby in in it's essential partic
ulars that it could not have been written with any noW
edge CT the facts issmes which involved in the
AS it not written for the sole purpose
of njuring Mr. Paine you should be willing give the
facts the publicity which given the editorial
The facts and issues in that case are as follows:
% Mr.. Paine is graduate of the Metaphysical
School of the Christian Science church, holding the de-
gree of c. B. which authorizes him to become of the
official teachers of that religion Under the authority
conferred by the church. Mr. Paine regularly conducts
classes teacher and he is the only person in Nevada
who conducts such classes.
(2) Mr. Paine is a duly authorized practitioner of
the Christian Science religion.
81 His entire time is occupied as a teacher and
practitioner of the Christian Science religion This work
is his usual and customary and sole vocation He is
thorzed to and does offcate at Christian Science
vices and in matters connected with the organization
functions and business of the church His visits are sim
liar in all respects to the visits of preacher minister
of any other denomination.
(4) In his connection with the church organization
and its business, his duties approximate nearly
those performed by the Bishop of other denominations
than those performed by ordinary minister as that
term is customarly used.
(5) The organization of the Christian Science
church does not include the preaching of sermons as in
other churches because it has its ritual and its text
book contains its doctrines in connection with
the Bible The ministry of the Christian Science church
is conducted by its teachers and officers such as Mr.
Paine It's readers elected for stated times only and
tons of its ministry.
The issue before the district board was whether a
person engaged Mr. Paine engaged is "a minister of
religion within the meaning Of the seecve service act
The navy department has held that such person was
minister by appointing Mr. Davis, in like situation
chaplain in the navy under statute providing for the
appointment OF regular ministers of religion" The
judge advocate general Of the army has ruled that Off
of the Salvation Army within the terms of the
statute. In only such proceeding this could that
question be determined and it ought to be determined
without prejudice malice passion and without discr
ination against any denomination.
There are two other matters in your editorial which
call for comment O You say you do not know the atti
tude of the Christian Science church toward the
ton of the war; The Christian Science Monitor the Of
tcal organ OF the church, has supported the and
now supporting it with all its energy and power. The
church maintains its relief and welfare departments
and it has expended in this work hundreds Of thousands
OF dolars IN addition to enormous of money
trbuted directly to the work in Europe President
Wilson has received constant and unfang support from
the church and its members (2) Mr. Paines personality
should not have been brought into this controversy To
those who know him. personal defense necessary
We regard him as man whose courage character high
purpose patriotism and sincerity above question In
this particular matter he has been seeking broader field
of service with the thousands of young men of his faith
IN the training camps of the army and navy and with
young men who regard him of strength and in
spiration From the of the war Mr. Paine
has sought to place his services where the church which
he belongs would find them most useful and it NAV be of
interest for you to know that he one of three or four
men in the United States who have been recommended by
the church for its work in these camps both here and
abroad and is just such work that Mr. Paine is seeking
to do either in out Of the army and work which 9TH
ers more than himself regard essential in this crisis
70 uspeak of him of the heirs of the Swift mil
lions and you then refer to him as weak character In
all fairness having brought into this discussion refer
ence to the Swift millions do you belive it is sign of
weakness for young man to brush aside the Swift mil
lions in order to earn his own livelihood as professor Of
English in the university and humble teacher of his
religious fath2
Very truly yours
S. BELFoRD.