St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-08-12
FOR The spot Cash.
That Is the Principle on Which
Christian Science Seems
to Be Worked.
4 Globe Reporters Trip to the
Higher Plane Occupied
by Realers.
Class Teaching, at $1,000 Per
Twelve Days, Seems
Rather Lucrative.
Experiments That Did Not
Sueeeed--A Popular Fad
in Minneapolis.

During the past rev years IHeFe has
arisen, in many cities of the country, a
class of professionals or scientists who
may come into close competition with
regular physicians. There are quite a
number in our own city of Minneapolis.
They seem to be meek and lowly of
spirit, as they seek not nOtOriety, Meth
er do they advertise. In fact it is some
what difficult for the initiated to find
their abiding places.
a diligent study OF the directory re-
vealS a few names of people who are
"Christian Scientists" The title has
an alluring sound calculated to arouse
the curiosity of people who wish to be-
come familiar with the most advanced
discoveries of scientists. Their title
would seem to indicate that Christianity
had been reduced to that state of exact
itude i'll which it might be called a sci
ence. | was anxious to learn how they
managed to compass so great Il diScov-
cry and started to find some of the PEG
pie who affect the title above quoted.
The first lady of that class whom |
met, was middle-aged spinSter. From
her dress one would judge that she be-
longed to the StrOng-minded class of
women who believe in dress reform.
She greeted me in low, caressing tone
of voice, babe me enter her sanctum,
and startled me by saying: "Do you
wish to be healed by Christian science?''
III don't KNOW" l stammered, Il
wished to find out what Christian sci
ence is and its application to everyday
life"
The scientist compassionately over
looked my present ignorance, hoping
that my mind had been aroused to the
gravity Of the subject which we were
about to discuss, although she hardly
thought it possible for me to cOmpre-
hendithe beauty and
TRUTH OF THE SCIENCE
from my present low plane of under
standing.
The warning that "fools rush in
where angels fear to tread" occurred to
my awe-Stricken conscience, and | in
timated as much to the scientist, who
SWeetly assured me that she was glad
to meet any one who was interested in
such matters, and that she thought /
could be taught if | had faith. We got
along beautifully after this understand
ing and L listened to long dissertation,
from which | gathered that: ''Christian
science has been discovered during the
past thirteen years by Mrs. Eddy, of
Boston; that mind cure, faith cure and
all other kinds of remedies, including
those of the medical profession, are
denominations invented by the evil one;
that Christian science is the art of heal
ing all physical ailments by means of
spiritual understanding"
'What do you mean by spiritual I'M
derStanding?" | inquired at this point.
The scientist explained that in reality
there is no such thing as sickness or
pain; they are simply mental illusions,
and when the spiritual and mental fac
ulties are properly educated that neither
accident or disease have any power over
the body.
is cOrrect?'' | questioned.
| was informed that l lacked the
''courage of conviction" and had too
little faith" also that the truth of their
theory could not be proved by any re-
search of reason, but was revealed to
those who had faith.
This argument seemed slightly stale.
In fact | fancied, having often heard
some such reason given for almost any
folly or error i'll which humanity chose
to indulge.
Can anybody become a Christian
scientist and hOw?" was my next
anxious question.
The scientist said that class of about
twenty had taken the primary course
during the last spring, and that another
would be formed soon. Also that any,
body could learn to be a Christian scien-
fist by the payment of $50 for twelve
lectures.
How long does it take to receive the
lectures?"
''Oh you can get them all in about
twelve days. was the prompt reply
''we have a lady coming from the East
and she gives lecture each day"
1t stuck me that teaching the science
is "a
PROFITABL LINE OF BUSINESS.
In fact that teacher must have made
about $1,000 in twelve days OFF her class
OF twenty pupils. They pay strictly in
advance, and if a pupil fails to learn the
science it is the fault of her own 10 w
plane of understanding. The teacher is
supposed to be Wellnigh infallible. and
to doubt her skill, either in teaching OF
making money, would argue want OF
moral perception.
l thought 500 rather high figure for
that instruction.: but the scientist said
that after these lessons l could be turned
loose upon the community as Christian
scientist or healer. 1t would be easy to
gain lucrative practice, as the patrons
of this school Of science were nearly all
wealthy ladies who could afford to pay
SpON pIlNSo III OllcI W NC convinced
that nothing allied them.
Wishing to investigate the subject
still farther this lady referred me to one
of her pupils, Miss H., who had studied
the science and was an accredited heal
er. The next morning | interviewed
Miss Ii. She was prepared for me. hay
ing received from her mentor a notice
of my intended call. She felt satisfied
that Christian science was a cure-all for
mental as well as bodily ills, and told
me how she had been cured of dyspep,
STA While at distance of several hun.
dred miles from the healer, and did not
even know that she was being treated
After sufficiently admiring her mar
Velous restoration, | proceeded to ask
some more questions.
If you can cure all diseases | should
think you could prolong life Indefinite
ly. May be you needn't ever die unless
you WISH" l suggested.
indeed we can prolong life much
even now," Miss II. modeStly asserted
but OF course the science is yet in its
infancy. Those who come after us vii
doubtless be able to live as long as they
choose, because, living Oh a higher
plane, they will perceive more clearly
that disease has no power over the BODY
hence they will have nothing to fear.'
''SHE" A SCIENTIST.
perhaps She was first-class Chris
tan scientist, and that's the real reason
of her lengthy life," L respectfully sug
gested,