Practitioners of Christian Science are ofttimes criticized for accepting fees for the treatment of the sick, on the basis that as the Master and his disciples healed the sick without money and without price, Christian Scientists, who profess to be his followers in word and in deed, should do likewise. In the early years of Christian Science Mrs. Eddy gave her services freely, that this life-giving gospel might be made known to the people. But as time went on she came to see the inconsistency of such a course, and in the Journal for April, 1898, appeared an article from which we quote as follows:—
"I was confronted with the fact of no monetary means . . . even to meet my own current expenses, and halted from necessity. I had cast my all into the treasury of Truth, but where were the means with which to carry on a cause? To desert the cause never occurred to me, but nobody then wanted Christian Science, nor gave it a half penny. Though sorely oppressed, I was above begging, and knew well the priceless worth of what had been bestowed without money or price. Just then God stretched forth His hand. He it was that bade me do what I did, and it prospered at every step. . . . Till Christian Scientists give all their time to spiritual things, live without eating, and obtain their money from a fish's mouth, they must earn it, in order to help mankind with it. All systems of religion stand on this basis."
With the growth of Christian Science practise, the custom of charging one dollar for a single treatment and five dollars weekly when a longer period seemed to be necessary, gradually became established. The modesty of this fee, however, in time provoked the unexpected criticism that Christian Science practitioners were "underbidding." Again Mrs. Eddy came to the rescue, with the recommendation that "Christian Science practitioners should make their charges for treatment equal to those of reputable physicians in their respective localities" (Sentinel, Jan. 1, 1910). This custom, while not obligatory, is now in general use, and works for justice to all concerned.
