Can a practicing Christian Scientist justly require of another, working in the same field, weeks of treatment, thought and effort to lift a member of her own family out of the claim of sickness or sin, which she herself has failed to accomplish, simply because she is a practicing Christian Scientist? Can she justly demand this as her right from the other (to whom she has never given aught of her own time and labor), on the grounds that doctors of Materia Medica do not charge each other for their services, when ill? Attention is called to this matter because such demands are made, and although cheerfully acceded to, the blessing does not follow. The treatments do not lift the error.
Examining the problem, these questions present themselves: Can one who is deriving the whole support for herself and family from the practice of Christian Science justly demand from others money or price for her services; then seek of another in the field, service of like kind, gratis, because not all whom she has ever treated have paid her; or, because M. D.'s do not charge for their services? Would not such a thought, held in mind, turn away the loving realizations intended to bless? Or, would not the plea "We cannot afford to pay for treatments," from those receiving their support from the practice of Christian Science have the same effect? Does not the very fact of feeling unable to pay for what is solicited imply a want of faith in the infinite Love to meet every need? Would not such a darkened belief destroy another's demonstration as well as the demonstrations of the Scientist herself, in her own family, as long as held?
Is it Scientific, or a fulfilling of the law of justice, that because one has studied Christian Science, or even practices it publicly, that she may exact another's time and service, indefinitely, in her own family, "without money and without price"— without even the expression of grateful acknowledgment for the effort?
