New-York tribune., 1899-06-22
TO STOP FAITH HEALERS.
MEDICO-LEGAL SOCIETY APPOINTS AN
INQUIRY COMMITTEE.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE AND THE LAW" DIS
CUssED FROM BOTH SIDES AT THE
soCIETYs JUNE MEETING

CUSSED FROM BOTH SIDES AT The
soCIETYs JUNE MEETING.
At its June meeting in the Hotel ST Andrew
last night the Medico-Legal Society authorized
its president to appoint committee to investi-
gate the methods Of Christian Science healers
and to determine as to the necessity of ia"
to put a stop to their practices.
I'VE are against these people" said Albert
Bach. president Of the society. to Tribune
reporter "and are determined to stop them.
The subject presented to the meeting for dis
cusson. Christian Science and the Law gave
opportunity to several speakers to arralgh
Christian Science and some of them ala so
sharply; but while the practices OF the Scleh-
lists were condemned plainly, there was no LOUD
or violent denunciaton. and criticism was TACT
fully blended with the utmost courtesy Ihere
were replies from several Christian Scientists
but they contented themselves with simply de-
Tending their creed
The proceedings were opened with the read
ing of a paper by ex-COroner MoriZ Ellinger'
He began by referring 10 the death OF Harold
Frederic. who he said. credibly reported
to have been a victim of Christian Science
new school OF practice which. Mr.. Elllnger sald'
Seemed TO be in closer alliance with the Voca-
tlon Of the undertaken than that Of the ordinary
pupil Of 14csculapi Christian Science. he
continued. was justified only In so far as II APP
plies to matters of doctrine and faith. and be-
longed altogether TO the domain OF theology !,
had not been recognized by the State or any
learned faculty. Should those people who pro
fessed to diseases be allowed TO practise
without authority? They did not claim to pos
sess the knowledge required by medical facul-
ties and threw ridcule upon the practice OF
medicine. Whether they effected a cure or not.
the fee collected in advance and they de-
cared that such payment in advance was in
diSDpnSa faith
tient In the power OF the healers.
The law makes il the sworn duty Of the
physician" Mr.. Ellinger said Ito bring 10 the
notice Of the sanitary authorities all cases Of
contag gious infectious character. Is ii not the
duty of the State 10 interfere to safeguard the
health OF those people who have no faith in the
power Of Christian Science No person has the
right to expose the health and life OF other peo-
pie by his peculiar belief"
Mr. Ellinger closed by pointing out the growth
of the belief In Christian Science, and said there
was need Of laws which would put end to
what he termed 'nomcidal freedom which en-
dangers the lives Of innocent children and lg-
norant dupes.'
Howard Ellis, the next speaker. said that
when Christian Science. If ii was inimical to the
good Of society attempted TO assert Itself the
law would throttle IT,
Under the law as it stands" he said. the
Christian Scientists offenders. are Grim
'inals-or perhaps to say that they are guilty
Of misdemeanors. would express it. The question
Is whether physic and faith can be combined in
healing and, so combined defy the law Public
porizng lot-but the law must take cognizance
OF the Christian Science practices.
paper by Carol Norton, Christian Scientist.
was read by Stanley Berger The paper began
bv defining Christian Science and giving its his
tory. 1t was a religious act or system, Mr..
Norton stated. Could that be forbidden by
statutory provision? AS to the right OF Chris
tian Science healers to compensate Mr.. Nor
ton contended that they were much entitled
to it as clergymen-- and Others who do good 20
their fellow -r1,frs b. s Ssss-s 80 = n
John c. Lathrop. leader Of the First Church
Of Christian Scientists. said that the subject
should be looked at from a spiritual point OF
view. II the Divine Mind that did the
healing.
Until you understand the scope Of the mind
OF Cod he said. you VIII not understand the
grandeur and the truth Christian Science has
brought into the world We all thought you
do once. but We have gotten out Of the rut Of
our ignorance
II. G. Chaplin, Editor Of The American Law
yer" was Of the opinion that it might be
dangerous infringement upon personal liberty
for the law 10 dictate TO an individual whom he
should employ in case Of sickness, though. Of
course in contagious diseases an authorized
medical practitioner should be called in. While
the professors OF Christian Science might go
too far in their claims, there might be cases IN
which they could do some good.
Judge Fidele Peria Of cuba. said that meas
ures should be taken TO suppress any supersti
ton which was hurtfu TO life and health, and
W A. Simmons. the last speaker defended the
Christian Scientists, and said all they wanted
was fair play
Among those who participated in the dinner
which preceded the meeting and who listened
70 the speakers were Mr.. and Mrs. Charles n.
Shepard the Count and Countess Di Noise.
Mrs Albert Bach. Mrs. G. Menken. Clark Bell
and Dr.. W. s. Watson.
Clark Bell. chairman Of the committee ap-
pointed by the society 70 send a memorial to
Sir Matthew White Ridley. Home Secretary OF
England asking for the release of Mrs May
brick, who is serving life sentence in an Eng
lish prison under conviction Of having poisoned
her husband stated that the memorial had been
forwarded through the Secretary OF state ana
Ambas sador Choate Other documents in con
nection with the case such as the reports OF
chemists and others, are to be sent later. There
have been several changes In the personnel OF
the committee. which now consists or Clark
Bell chairman: James L. Bennett. ex-United
States District-Attorney for the Southern Dis
trict Of New York: Abram H DALEY. ex-Surro-
gate Of Kings County ex-Judge Dttenhoefer.
W II. Francis. ex-Judge Of the Federal Court
in Dakota; Justice Michael II. Hirschberg OF
the Supreme Court Of New-York Conway w.
Noble ex-Judge OF the Court Of Common Pleas
Of Ohio. and Pardon G. T1hnghast justice OF
ba n