The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-02-16
NOT HIS KIND OF MEDICINE.
MIR. DEMPSY GRIFFIN DOESN'T BE
LIEVE IN CHRISTIAN SCIENCE.

Charges VII. ana MIS- JOhn bern ara
With Practicing Medicine Against
State Laws-They Believe in the
Power of Mind Over Matter-NIrs.
Griffin Paid Large Fees for Treat
ment and Then Donates 800 to the
Cnuse-Case Goes to the City Court.
Mr.. and Mrs. John Bernard were be-
fore Justice Naughtin yesterday, charged
with practicing medicine without license.
They gave bond for their appearance st
the city court.
The warrant was sworn out by Mr..
Dempsey Griffin. The circumstances en-
which he predicates the charges are rather
singular. Mr.. and Mrs. Bernard are apos-
ties of the doctrine of Christian Science"
or the curing of disease by the influence of
mind over matter. Periodical lectures are
given by them on the subject and one was
delivered at the Knights of Pythias hall
last night by Mrs. Bernard.
Mrs. Ella Griffin, wife of the prosecu-
tor, was under treatment by Mrs. Ber-
nard. Mrs. Griffin, who live at Reeds
VILE was in Savannah the latter part of
November and heard of some of the cases
said to have been cured by
Mrs. Bernard. The information was
given Mrs. Griffin by her
mother, Mrs. Randolph Kirkland, who
lives at Twelfth and Barnard streets. and
who was under the Christian Science treat
ment. Mrs. Griffin was advised that it
was good thing, and, acting on the infor
nation given her by her mother, she call
ed on Mrs. Bernard and underwent the
treatment, receiving considerable aid as
result. She continued her visits and
said she was almost entirely cured of an
ailment which had been given up by
many physicians.
About that time she left for her home
in Redsville. Before leaving, however. it
seems she acted rather strangely by maxi
ing Mrs. Bernard a present of $500. Mrs
Griffin told her she wanted her to spend
the 800 as she saw fit or to appropriate it
to the extension of the cause of
Christian Science. Regular fees
seem to have been paid Mrs
Bernard for her services, and why a pres
ent of $400 should be made is a matter
which is puzzling the friends of the giver.
While absent, however the treatment con-
tinued as before, being what is known as
the absent treatment" Mrs. Griffin re-
turned to Savannah last Thursday and
went to her mothers home.
Mr.. Griffin got wind of the $500 gift
made to Mrs. Bernard by his wife and
! determined to look into the matter. He
thought if a fee was paid, that was
enough. In company with Mrs. Griffin he
went to Mrs. Bernards home on Ogle-
thorpe avenue. When the parties were
together, it was admitted that $40 had
| been given Mrs. Bernard by Mrs. Griffin
just before Christmas. Mr. Griffin de-
Id h. e fla nd Ire
Bernard said it was in bank, but that
she would get it in a short time Mr. Griffin
wanted a check, but Mrs. Bernard would
not agree to this, and insisted she would
return it to Mrs. Griffin In person, as she
got it from her. In the meantime Mr..
Kirkland called in company with Mrs.
| Griffin and got the money, which was
turned over without delay. Shortly after
| Mr.. Kirkland left, Mr.. Griffin called and
| inquired about the money and when told
that it had been paid over to his wife,
he took out the warrant
Mr.. Griffin made the following state
| ment in regard to the matter to a Morning
| News reporter: 81 fear my wife is mem
tally impaired. She paid Mrs. Bernard
over $500 for the Christian Science treat
ment and then added a present of 500,
| which we have just succeeded in recover
ing. I was never in favor of my wife I'M
NSiSOiAS ltlG treatment OtcduSc L QiQ not
| believe it was founded on anything. Just
| why she would give away 800 for such
| treatment is something which I cannot
| explain. For the purpose of prosecuting
| Mr.. and Mrs. Bernard l have employed
| Messrs. Fleming G. duBignon and Pope
| Barrow, and intend pushing the matter
| to thorough investigation"
Mrs. Bernard was seen and made the fol-
| lowing statement: Mrs. Griffin has been
| treated by me some time and was conval-
| escing rapidly. Shortly before Chris mas
| she gave me 500, and told me to do what
l pleased with it. told her | would apply
| il to a church fund we CONTEMPLATED rails
] ing and deposited it in bank. There it re-
manned until l turned it over to Mr. Kirk
| land, as the agent of Mrs. Griffin, to-day
Mr.. Griffin called here and tried to get the
money, but 1 declined to turn it over to
any one except. Mrs. Griffin or her father. -
What is the theory of this Christian
Science treatment" Mrs. Bernard was
| asked.
at is the power of mind over matter-the
! effect of truth on falsehood. Disease can
| be removed by good-by truth I have
| cured many and do not object to the use
of medicine by my patients, though I dc
not prescribe it,
II should be stated that neither Mr.. nor
! Mrs. Bernard were under arrest. The fact
| a warrant was issued was conveyed to Mr..
| Bernard. after which Mr.. Bernard went to
| his attorneys and gave bond without the
! serving of process