The age-herald., 1900-09-17
SKETCHES FROM I
 EVERYDAY LIFE


 It Is surprising the number of converts nowadays to the Faith Cure, or Christian Science. Scarcely day passes but the pa- pers contain account of some death which could have been prevented by the use
 of medical science, but where a physician was considered useless. recent case Is that of Paul Voliva, child four years old, who died in frlghtful agony of spinal men,
 ingits. The child was sick a few days, but no physician was summoned the parents being Christian Scientists. At the inquest held on the body of the child, the father stated that he had prayed and that the members of his society believed in the ef- ficacy of prayer, and not in physicians. The child had high fever and would rush alternately from the bed to the floor. He almost doubled himself up and his screams rent the air. Unconsciousness came to the youngster three minutes before death and then the prayer ceased. God had seen fit to relieve him of his sufferngs. The boys brother, who was one of the witnesses at the inquest, contended that he had suf- fered from consumption, and that when he appealed to prayer, relief came instantly William D. Yeager, general manager of the | Prevalent Life and Trust Company, told the coroner that anybody who depended on the Almighty had no business to bother with physician Mir. Yeager, in explain ing the religion, said that when prayer was offered the pain ceases, and if the person dies it Is by Gods will. He also says that there are no healthier set of people than the Christian Scientists
 The foundation stone of this religion seems to be faith. There is no doubt that he ctS f.;t in their religion, little Voliva found to his cost Faith may do some things, but not everything. Faith cannot move moun- tam, nor prayer cure a case of meningitis Faith may eventually get rid of the Chris tian Seientists-that is, if they all have fafth'-for each one will get sick sooner or iater, and die off, If they rely prayer as their sole medicine. There are, however black sheep among the Christian Scientists as in other folds brethren whose faith is very lukewarm. Some of these were at a summer resort the other day near Asheville when diptheria became epidemic. They left on the first train.
 Probably there were none in the crowd who could pray strong enough for dip theria.
 Some years ago a rather stout lady, who was Christian Scientist was sitting on the veranda of summer home. Around her were other Christian Scientists of less avoirdupoiS.
 shock of earthquake suddenly shook the house to its foundations, knocking over the chimneys, which fell with crash on the veranda roof. The younger mem bers of the party rushed down the steps into the yard forgetting in their demorali- zation the old lady, who, paralyzed with fear, was unable to move. When the shock was over the others remembered her and came back on the veranda.
 'Ah, my children" e xclaimed the old lady, there is to run. Have faith No harm can come to you if you have but faith"
 Just then another shock came, and the old lady, who had by this time recovered the use of her muscles, was the first one to make rush for the ground.
 
 Mark Twain in a recent article, describes his experiences with a Christian scientist. He had been up the Alps and fell off precipice. He struck ledge and bounced . fell some more, struck another ledge and bounced, and kept this up until he reached the bottom, arriving there with every bone in his body broken There was no surgeon, physician, apothecary COW doctor to be had. The only thing in the neighborhood was Christian Science professor. Marx sent for her. but she sent him word she was busy and could not come, but would treat him from a distance They claim that they can cure well from a distance as near the patient This Is probably true, and it is great convenience to be able to treat a patient from your own fireside with your feet in comfortable slippers, instead of going out in the wet in the middle of the night to dose him with medicines.
 The Simon-pure Christian scientist must believe in this absent treatment. The faith of one was shocked recently in Chicago. His wife had been dying of consumption for some time. She was being treated by a Christian scientist at a distance, who sent in her bill every six months which the husband paid. Just after paying ore bill his wife died. At the end of six months the Scientist sent in another item- iZed bill showing the amount of treatment he had given the wife. This bill the hus- band returned. stating he was sorry to say the treatment did not seem to benefit his wife as she was still dead.
 For the past two weeks the United States Court has been in session, presided over by Judge Swayne of Florida The court has been occupied almost entirely with criminal business, the criminals being chiefly moun- taineers who have violated the revenue laws in rela ton to the manufacture and sale of illicit whisky. Judge Swayne has shown rare discretion and universal leni- ency in the handling of these cases. Many have been fined cfpt only, some s1, and in some cases sentence has been suspended to induce good behavior. One acquainted with the environment and condition of these people cannot but sympa thize with them in their weakness for this class of crimes. Most of them extremely ignorant and uneducated. They live In remote places, owning little farms of from to three or four acres Their only crop is corn The land is so poor they claim they can raise nothing else. They must live and to live they must have money. There is but one way to get it-make whisky. They can only get about 40 cents bushel for corn, while if they make 1t into whisky they can sell 1t for $1,50 to & gallon. They know no other road to wealth. The temptation is IT, reslstable Then they never get it through their heads why they should be taxed to manufacture the only commodity which they produce.
 Altogether they are a unique people Tn hiding their stills they display an ingenuity that is marvellous
 Revenue officers have walked over, around and about these stills, without dis covering them In nine cases out of ten they find them out through the treachery