By Dr. Benedict Lust, ND, MD, DO, DC.  (1872-1945)
 
 
A TRUE Naturopath is a man or woman who, having the knowledge and skill necessary to successfully administer the treatments, and is fundamentally grounded in the philosophy of Naturopathy. The mere attainment of a complete working knowledge of giving the treatments and acquiring the technique to obtain the most of them does not make the possessor of this knowledge a naturopath.
 
Many persons follow the are of physical culture. Well and good. Others prefer to instruct in diet and fresh air. And that is their privilege. But when the same physical culturists, these dietitians who are not versed in the ideological background of naturopathy, take it upon themselves to adopt the title of Naturopath -- merely because they are opposed to medicine and surgery -- such a claim is a fraud upon the public.
 
The true Naturopath is a firm believer in the omnipotent power of the Almighty -- is a person who looks upon the creator as a Just God and who does not believe that the visitation of disease and sickness is a sign of the Almighty's wrath.
 
Originally human beings were fashioned to be always capable of enjoying life and happiness. Human beings were not expected to be sick and ailing. Therefore, all ailments, all disease, all pain, all sickness, are the result of the human beings own misdeeds whether through ignorance or design.
 
Nature, through which the Almighty rules the universe, has done everything necessary to provide human beings with what their bodies need. Nature has failed in not one particular. It is the human being who has failed. It is the man or woman who has strayed from the path Nature has provided for us to travel. It is the man or woman who has failed, intentionally or unintentionally, natures fixed laws.
 
No man can cure an aliment, not even the simplest. Nature alone can cure and man has within his ability to help or impede Nature in her work of restoration.
 
Modern Surgery and Medicine is not founded upon this doctrine. While their followers believe in the power of the Almighty, they also are imbued with the idea that they, in their pigmy efforts, can supercede this divine ability and through the use of the knife, the x-ray, the "wonder" drugs and the inoculations, serums and "shots" can short-cut Natures healing processes, can stop instantly the ravages of a misspent life and bring back health once more.
 
The true Naturopath appreciates the fallacy of such doctrines. The true Naturopath stands as a handmaiden of Nature, to assist her in the reclamation processes.
 
Just how is this done, the philosophy back of Naturopathy makes plain. The true Naturopathy gets in accord with the Almighty in thought and action and through His help is able to raise the sick from their couches.
 
Through the rightful use of Air, Water, Sunshine, Heat, Diet, Exercise, Earth, Rest, Relaxation, and Sleep, the experiences practitioner, backed by a conscientiousness of unlimited power at his disposal, corrects the abnormalities in the sufferer and displaces the poisons with healthful nourishment.
 
The Science of Naturopathy is as old as human existence on the planet. It is the nature method for combating abnormal conditions in the human body by restoring the victim to a position where once again he or she is in attune with the Almighty through Nature. It is spiritual regeneration as adapted to the physical body. A true naturopath is a firm believer in the Almighty. He preaches what he believes and he lives in conformity with his teachings.