Smyrna times., 1885-06-24

BOSTON is striking example of what
a rebound there may be in credulity in
a people who discard the -tho3ox
methods of faith. From belief i1
nothing they have run or iutoa -e.l2a"
of belief on the "scienc1 or mental
healing" There is an evolution or
faith at the hub" and that too, it is
said, among the cultured. A leading
daily in speaking Of The New Boston
Religion" says
"The evolution of new creed cana
bic of winning large support in high
ly-cultured community isa phenomenon
so unusual that BOstonians must not
be surprised to find the medico-theO-
logical movement now in progress
among them attracting attention. For
some months past the Athens of Ameri-
ca has been agitated with discussion of
the science of mental healing At
first the local press was disposed to be
tacetious III regard to the theories and
practices of the healers, but it long AGO
ceased to be so indiscreet as to make
slurrlng comments on the new patho-
lOgy. IdiOtic as some of the ideas of
the prophets may appear, the prophets.
and especially the prophetesses, Of the
new religion are persons Of too high
standing in Boston social, literary and
scientific circles to be lightly treated
by the local paragraphist. The move
ment has in fact OutgrOwn the limits of
a popular but temporary craze. and
gives promise of spreading throughout
New England and making a perma-
nent addition to the number of isms
that flourish in that interesting section.
Ihere are so many wonderful cures"
and so many reputable Witnesses to
testify to them, that the average Bos-
ronian is convinced of the value of the
mind-cure system. Among the clergy
1t Is regarded with some CONSERVATION
as, on account of its popularity. it is
depicting their congregations. Valued
church members are joining the Chris
tian Scientists. Hundreds of vouno
ladies especially are drawn to Haw-
thOrne Hall, where the Christian
Scientists worship, under the impress
sion that they are getting some finer
quality of Christianity the scientific
phraseology employed by the leaders
having great charms for the highly
educated BostOnese youth. So eager
are people to hear Mrs. Eldv's SER
mons, We are told, that after the stand
ing room is all taken people crowd
around outside the doors. hOping 10
catch an occasional word The new
on its practical side. is sum
med up in a simple denial of disease.
Disease is merely delusion of the
mind, the effect of fear, and fear is |
faith perverted Only believe YOU are
not sick, and you become well. The
mlnd-cure physician takes her seat be-
fore her patient, who is also seated. un-
der instructions to be quiet and think |
OF nothing in particular. For twenty |
minutes the latter apparently dozes in |
her chair, while the dOctress, with face |
molly flushed, as if engaged in a violent
mental ellort, wills her own view of |
the case into the mind and through
that into the body of the patient. The |
scientific explanation is that the faith /
OF the healer meeting the fear of the
patent produces chemical change in
the fluids Of the system which results
III health All this is very wonderful
II one is skepLical he is pointed to the
cures actually produced. 1t is useless
TO deny says an unbiased writer
that under the influence of the mind
cure practitioners beneficent and in some
cases remarkable results are attained.'"