Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-10-21
Philadelphian Advertises He Can Help
Those Contemplating Self -Destruc-
tion, and Succeeds.
CHURCH IS LOCATED RIGHT
IN HEART RED LIGHTS
While in Washington He Had Much
Experience in Aiding Those Who
Were Despondent.
UNITED PRESS LEASED wIRE.l

y
contemplating suicide1 DOM take the
step until you have seen the Rev. Zed
Hotel COpp, Philadelphia. Thus you
might read an advertisement of the
Rev. Mr.. Copp's "mental clinic" if
the Presbyterian minister, who conceiv-
ed the idea and is putting it into ex-
cellent effect and results, needed to
advertise He doesn t. His work in
Philadelphia has advertised itself like
it did in Washington, D. c. Besides
filling the pulpit of one of the most
exclusive and wealthy churches of the
Quaker City, the Rev. zed Copp has
made an enviable reputation as Mem
esis for "blues," mental depression
and grouches' through his free
~mental clinic.'
The Rev. Zed Copp has had the
training to make his idea success.
As an accredited Presbyterian minis
ter Of the gospel in Washington and
pastor of church located in the very
heart of the capital s cred light dis
trict, he came to be known as veri.
table "good angel" to women of that
locality and to young men and girls
who got into trouble via the gilded
route. He was familiar figure at the
police court, and he was a tireless
worker in the interest of the defend.
ants whom he befriended and whom he
thought worthy of chance. He was
a deep sociological student, and pract.
ical one. Just before answering the
call of the local church, the Rev Mr..
Cobb studied law, passed the bar ex.
animation in Washington and opened
an office where he dispensed free legal
advice to the poor and needy, and acted
as arbitrator in domestic troubles which
had not reached the courts. During
all his work, he has made a deep study
Of the cases Of those who have attempt
ed suicide and failed. 1t was after
he came here that he decided to estab-
lish his "mental clinic" on the theory
that it is better to change man s
viewpoint early so that suicidal melan.
cholia would not develop through the
brooding over wrongs and hardships,
fancied or otherwise, rather than wait
until too late. Therefore the Rev. Mr..
Cobb holds his clinics twice a week.
for several hours on Wednesday and
Friday evenings. When his patient" "
call he takes them one by one'intO his
private study and talks to them. He
gives each chance to "get ris brood.
ings off his chest.
"There is hope for the mental pris.
oner confined in the cell of his own
despair. He need not suicide in order
to escape the execution of relentless
fate. There is always a living way
Oulj u ht Will OHlg lOOh lOT lVs nus
spoke the Rev. Mr.. Copp, when asked
by representative of the United Press
about the clinic Pastor Copp's theory,
based on observation, is that suicide is
the result Of sin--either ones own, or
another 's-against body, mind or spir.
it.
How He Treats Them
Ills method of treatment is phycho.
physical, the pastor explained He
greets the would.be suicide cordially
and puts him or her at ease and re.
taxation. Then he requires a statement
of facts, without mental reservation,
concerning the "patient s" condition
Heredity, training and environment are
gone over very carefully with view Of
ascertaining what perspective and es'
innate Of life was conceived by the
patient in the days Of his formative
stages During this time Pastor Copp
is physically searching and sounding
his patient, endeavoring to calm the
mind, restore the poise, and relax the
nervous tension. In n little while the