Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-09-08
MRS. LATHROP, OF NEW YORK,
GIVES HER VIEWS ON CHRIS
TIAN SCIENCE

| The statement from the pulpit by
Bishop Newman recently that he re
garded christian science" as advanced
christianity, SAYS the New York Star
has called attention anew to the wonder
full fascination this latest school of met
aphysics is exercising upon susceptible
mates, and especially upon women. By
the outside world little is really known
of its devorees and their peculiar be-
liefs.
The writer called yesterday on the
high priestess of the scientists in thi:
city, Principal Laura Lathrop, at hel
residence, No. ia West Forty-nintt
street. The lady is the head of the in
stitute in this state and receives students
and patients for instruction and treat
ment in the science Of mind healing. A
tall, graceful figure. fashionably attired
in directOire robe, strong, handsome
face, with dark, expressive eyes and a
crown of hair framing it in curls
that showed just the faintest
lines of silver among them-she
scarcely looked like one calculat-
ed to dispute with NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
and to split hairs with theologians. Yet
Mrs. Lathrop-a highly educated west
|
is not only charming conversational
She is perfect type of the advanced
American. She bears striking resem-
blance to Trebelli, the famous opera
singer, and is every inch high priestess
of the new religion" Receiving her
visitors in a lofty and shaded parlor
which hardly ray of sunlight enters,
her tall form looms up like that of some
| Italian sibyl about to pronounce an in
cantation for the ENDORSEMENT of evil
spirits.
"You have had some notable persons
among your pupils, have you not!' the
reporter asked of Mrs Lathrop.
YES" SAID the fair principal smiling,
"but you know it is considered unpro-
| fessional to disclose the name of ones
patients. | think it no harm, however,
to state that among other distinguished
people who have been in my classes are
Susan B. Anthony and Bishop Newman.
l see the bishop has recently referred to
the matter in a sermon which has ex-
cited not little curiosity and consider
able comment"
"When did you meet the bishop"
sit was three years ago, think. He
was going to speak in Brooklyn and he
told one of his friends that he was suf-
fering from throat Notwithstanding
voice. believe, is the name by which
the allment is to pulpit and platform
orators and it is a very annoying thing
to have. His friend said: "Well,
bishop, you should drop around and
see DR.. Lathrop. She will do you no
harm, anyway, and it's near by After
little persuasion he consented and |
went to the Murray Hill hotel, where he
was stopping. Mrs. Lathrop,' he said,
4 have to speak to an audience tonight.
How shall | speakn / saw that his voice
had gone to mere whisper. Well, | sat
down there, with my bonnet on, and
gave him treatment.
"a few days afterwards continued
| the principal, Il was told by friend
who had heard the bishop speak that he
had never known him to be in better
voice. 1t is certain that after that cpl
sode he took deep interest in the science
which he has lately called Advanced
Christianity Some time afterward l
went to Washington to visit a friend who
happened to be acquainted with Bishop
Newman, and one evening, shortly after
my arrival the bishop called at her resi-
dence. After very cordial greeting he
said, referring to the effect OF the treat
ment he had received in New York:
Mrs. Lathrop, you really did Won
ders. Now, l have a very annoying
cough. 1t troubles me not d little when
| have to speak. Indeed, at times it is
almost impossible for me to 60 ONT in
terrupts me SO. | have SO much faith
in the efficacy of your treatment that
will ask you to come TO my church, sit
in General Grants pew and treat me dur
ing the sermon
Il was somewhat surprised at this re-
quest. as you may imagine, but | was
gratified at the confidence IN our science
shown by an eminent man, and | did as
he asked me. | went to his church and
was shown into pew of the Grant
family. During the entire sermon |
kept my eyes fastened upon the bishop
and gave him treatment. | didn't hear
a word he said, from the first to the last
Of the discourse. After it was ended
and church dismissed, he thanked me
very cordially and said: Ny dear Mrs.
Lathrop, | had the best voice | have had
in weeks, and the cough never once
troubled me during the entire time | was
in the pulpit Afterwards, in Bishop
Newman's study, talked with Mrs.
Newman and Mrs. Burroughs (the wife
of julius Caesar Burroughs, and other
ladies, regarding the science, and they
urged me to organize a class at the
national capital. The bishop said he
would be pupil, 100. ] was reluctant,
but finally We got a class together and |
went down to the Riggs house and in
structed them. Among other ladies in
the class were Mrs. Carlisle, the wife of
the speaker, and many other brilliant
women, including those l have already
mentioned Mrs. Mark Hopkins. the
wife of the millionaire; Miss Phoebe
Cousins, the western lawyer; Mrs. Leland
Stanford, the wife of the California
statesman, and others whose names /
do not at this moment recall, were
among the pupils. They all took a
deep interest in the teaching and were
sincere in their desire to learn the
science. ] remember that Bishop and
Mrs Newman wanted me to give them
private lessons, but / could not under
take the additional work. They were in
the regular class. l did, however, give
Mrs Mark Hopkins and Mrs. Leland
Stanford private lessons.
Since that time. she added, 81 never
saw the bishop till met him at Sara
toga last summer. That he is still I'M
shaken in his belief in Christian science
is shown by ms recent sermon. His
wife is healer, although not a pro-
fessIoual one. do not think that Mr..
Mark Hopkins ever attempted to give any
treatment. | remember that when she
first came for treatment she was afflicted
with liver trouble and kidney disease in
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