The evening times., 1899-07-14
FAITH CURE THEORIES.
A War Onl lClsristian Science Organ
fzfng In New York.

War Onl Christian Science Organ
fzfnE In New York.
New York. July 1.-THE large number
of cases that of late have come to light
where DEATH fAs come to sick people who
have placed themselves under the care OF
the so-called Christian Scientists has
served to draw general public attention to
the increasing spread of the extraordinary
doctrines of this sect, and the consequent
growing danger to the community. 1t has
for long time been felt by common sense
people that some restrictions should be
placed upon the operations of class who
admittedly place the lives of their sick IN
jeopardy for the mere want of medical at
tention. That feeling found concrete form
last evening, when at a meeting organized
by the Medical and Legal Relief Society
movement was started for the purpose OF
securing legislation to regulate the prac-
tice of healing by self-professed Christian
Scientists and, prohibiting the exclusion
from the sick room, through the persua-
sion of such mental healers, Of regularly
qualified physicians.
The meeting, which was held at the
Waldorf Astoria was attended by more
than 200 influential men and women.
Among them were many prominent law
yers, physicians, and clergymen. In or
ganiZing the meeting the society promised
that to Christian Scientists an opportunity
would be afforded for putting forward
I their reasons why their practices should
| not be regulated, and the invitation ex-
| tended to them to be present was respond
ed to by fairly large number of faith
| healers
No attempt was made last night to COM
NIT the meeting to any definite course of
action. The purpose of the gathering was
solely to discuss the matter from both
standpoints, and this resolution was ad-
| hered to. The opponents of Christian Sci
entists, however. made their intention
| clear to seek restrictive legislation. and
committee will be appointed Immediately
| to devise remedial measures.
| Theodore Sutro presided. and among
those present were Albert Turner, Mrs.
| Theodore Sutro. George w. Delano, Axel
Gustafson, A. V. Daniels. John ID. Bene
| dict, Col Michael C. Murphy, Dr. F. H.
Dillingham;. Albert Day. DR.. George j..
Helmer. DR.. J. N. Helmer. DR.. E. C. Hell
| mer, John Sabine Smith. Edward Lauter-
| bach, George r. Phoebus, Alderman How
ard P. Dixie. George E. Early. DR.. Edward
| F. Smith. the Rev. DR.. Francis J. Clay
| Moran, W. F. Lunt, United States General
Appraiser; T. w. Burger, and W. W. Ur-
quhart
III OpCuiu6 duuEcSS, SuLIU, dlttT
outlining the purpose of the meeting. went
on TO say: THE immediate operating cause
| which inspired this meeting has been the
startling disclosures which have lately
appeared in the public press OF cases.
| which unQuestionably required the art of
surgery and the science of medicine, being
treated by Christian Scientists without the
accessory of any of the accepted methods
of treating illness and disease. Conse-
ioo fhc- -hau tnd nd tyiia in
terest has been excited by reason of the
fatal terminatiops of these cases through
out the country and even beyond the bor-
ders OF the United States 1t is very
serious matter. and a subject which appeals
to our self-fnterest and our self-preserva-
ton. The men who have called this meet
ing have not done so for the purpose OF
antagonizing any creed or the so-called
Christian Scientist as such, or any method
of faith healing as such. But we have
felt that when believers in this creed. to
bring about results which can only come
by the Intervention of medicine and medi-
| cal instruments, persuade weak-mlnded
people to dispense with these necessary
instruments of science. then We think the
time has arrived for serious public discus
sion TO ascertain IL there is any basis for
the contentious OF the Christian Scientists,
and if there is none, then 10 appeal 10 the
very dangerous practices"
| Alderman Okie opened the discussion
He pointed out that the Medical and Legal
Relief Society had determined TO take the
necessary steps to put stop to the busi-
!, ness of teaching people not to seek inedi-
cal aid. To that end he had drafted a
measure which he suggested might be pre-
sented to the legislature. which he read
as follows:
First-A person who advises, persuades, or at
tempts to persuade any other person not tt
| employ medical surgical aid in a case OF ill
ness or physical injury OF that other person, o.
in case of illness or physical injury of am
| person influenced controlled by him, Is GUILTY
!. | of a misdemeanor; it is defence to prose
cution under this section that the detendan
did not believe in the existence Of such lines
| or injury
ID Advises or persuades any person afflicted
with illness or physical injury not TO emplo,
medical surgical aid is, If said afflicted per
son shall die of said illness or physical inlur.
| without receiving medical or surgical aid, guilt,
| of manslaughter.
(2) Advises or persuades a person having in
| iuence control over any person afflicted witt
| illness or physical injury not 10 employ medi
cal or surgical aid for the person afflicted is
if the person shall die OF said illness or physica
. injury without receiving medical or surgica
| aid, guilty of manslaughter.
1 (3) In a prosecution under the preceding sec
| tion of this act, proof that the person receiving
such advice the husband, wife, father
mother, brother, sister master. or guardian b.
appointment or adoption of the deceased,
: proof that the person bearing such relation L
the deceased had influence over him.
Il have put no long sentences in ths
BILL but l think we might get some goot
long sentences from it," Mr.. Dixie grimly
remarked.
W. F. Lunt strongly opposed such bill
. as outlined by Alderman Okie. 1T is mo-
in the interest of the citizen he said
"and such a bill should be opposed by
everybody who does not want the shack
! les of tyranny to rest upon him or hi:
family. l have been close student o
criminal law for many years. and l have
. never read of anything since the Darl
Ages that can compare with its provisions
would fear to have the liberties Of thu
| citizen left in the hands of a legislator,
that would pass bill of this kind, which
provides that a person who advises an
other, shall be guilty of manslaughter /
} the man dies. Such a thing has neve
been known in the annals of common Law
| since they pressed witches at Salem"
Edward F. Smith also opposed the bill
| and then Axel Gustafson made a stron.
| appeal for its adoption. "At present." h,
:. said, Christian Scientists are favored b,
!. | the law. The law is unable to reach them
;, despite the fact that they are not quail
fed to heal We therefore should advo
cate that the law be changed, and adve
cate it in the name of common justice t.
ALL"
DR.. A. Brothers likened the curing pre-
, tensions of Christian Scientists to a mai
. with no nautical knowledge attempting t.
), pilot a steamer across the ocean, and de
e scribed them as quacks whose method
V N