New-York tribune., 1901-02-20
TELLS OFMLSS BRUSH'S FAITH
MRS. STETSON, LEADER OF THE CHRIS
TIAN SCIENTISTS IN THIS CITY.
TESTIFIES To ITS POWER.

The long drawn out legal battle for possession OF
the fortune left by Helen c. Brush at her death
was continued before Surrogate Fitzgerald vas,sr
DAY. Inree sisters and brother Of Miss Brush
are trying to have the will broken To the practical
exclusion OF these Miss Brush left her fortune to
tne FIRST Church of Christ. Scientist
Mrs Augusta E. Stetson the head of the Chris
tian Scientists in this State took the stand II
was under her care that Miss Brush was treated
by Christian Science methods She said she cama
70 ork In 1885, after having studied Christian
'clence under Mary Baker Eddy. the founder Of the
cunt She had been first reader of the First Cburrb
or Christ. Scientist this city since 1857 She krar-
Miss Brush. who called at her office several years
ago.
AS soon as Mr.. Rand began questioning Mrs
Stetson as TO her relations with Miss Brush a Wig
orous objection was entered by John NJ Bowers
counsel for the contestants on the ground that the
witness was an interested party the will Surro-
gate Fitzgerald decided against Mr. Bowers Mrs
Stetson said she received salary from the church
for two years. and that she received s0oo a year
for four years. After that il was raised 10 81 es)
then 5000 and then 5000
When she first met Miss Brush. in 1896 she said
that she was interested in Christian Science and
wanted to take a course of study in mind reading
she called again few weeks later and pressed her
desire. She said her sisters mental scientists
and told her that under those conditions things
might he pleasant for her at home If she practised
Christian Science. The witness said that Miss
Brush sent for her in December 1895 She was
very i'll at the time. The witness student to
her. Miss Stevens. Afterward she sent for Mrs.
Stetson again.
Mrs. StetsOn said that a rumber of Miss Brush $
friends urged her go Miss Brush before she
finally consented. Miss Brush was then very low
ard she treated her She did not respond the
treatment for fifteen twenty minutes. Miss
Brush huctuated at first. and then improved Mrs.
StetsOr soon discovered that she could be treated
by the absent treatment under the care of Chris
tian Science nurse She never received any pay
from Miss Brush Size refused to accept money,
but accepted scarfpin afterward.
Odd she subsequently, take class instruction
from you? A.-She did
Q-Dd she pay you? A.-Yes. 500.
Mrs. stetson testified that several times when
Miss Brush well she came to her and asked for
strong spiritual treatment for spiritual uplifting
Odd you hear Miss Brush relate her ex-
perience at an open meeting A-fes, she sara tlat
she bad had consumption and that material agents
had done her no good. She said she picked UP
Science and Health" Mary Baker Eddys oook
and began reading il. As she read. she said. she
gained strength and found great truth. FlnaiIIy
her cough disappeared and she was subsequently
entirely cured
Mrs. Stetson was cross-examined by Mr. Bowers.
She said she came TO New-York for the purpose OF
building up a church She was sent here 10 do
Christian Science mind healing by Mrs. Eddy. AS
a result of her work the church would follow.
Miss Brush was taught that the power Of God
alone. without material aid was the only cure Tor
Illness, was she not
Yes. manifested through me-
Was she taught that proper food, clothing and
warmth not essential"
That they were but auxiliary.
Was Dr. Pease Christian Science healer?
.'He had taken course Of lessons"
Was he in May, 1900. qualified to act as a
healer?'
He had taken course. but that did not give
him the power 10 heal
Was DIR. Peasc that time practising physi-
cian?''
Il don't understand II So"
Did dismiss DIR. Pease when you returned
from Boston,
No"