New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-17
PRAYER DOCTOR
HELD AS FAKER
Silences and Fees Cause
Arrest of Fashionable
Hotel Preacher.
TRUST IN GOD-S2,"
WAS HIS FORMULA
The Rev. w. John Murray Lays
Troubles to Woman. Former
Member of His Flock.

Tn. Rev. ". John Murray, pastor o.
the Church Of The Healing Christ,
whose congregation holds New Thought
sessions at the Hotel Aston every Sun
day. was arrsigneG in the West Side
Court yesterday morning before Mag
istrate Breen, on two charges Of prac-
Using medicine without license.
Defective Sergeant Isabella Goodwin
who recently caused the arrest Of the
Rev. Frank ". Sears. another New
Thought preacher, on the same charge
and Detective Floyd Horton "ere COM
claimants. DR.. Murray was held IN
n 900 bail for decision December q
after Magistrate Brcen had heard the
case. The magistrate SAID that ne
wanted TO consult the record OF the
Court Of General Sessions. when fodnd
Sears guilty and Gned him 500.
Mrs Goodwin testified the: on No.
vember 10. Il and % she mad visited
DR.. Murray for medical advice, and
that in each case she had paid him
money in exchange for u.
"You are child Of God. You
should be full Of joy. You have de,
dressed liver" Mrs. Goodwin testified
that she had paid 81 for this advice.
In each instance. she said, after dag
nosing her case. DR.. Murray would go
into a silence With her. He would put
both hands 70 his brow, close his eyes,
and remain silent, speech!ess' GumS
and mute for fftecn minutes.
did you close your eyes, too!
asked Magistrate Breen.
Indeed didn't" said Mrs. Goodwin.
On hey visit of November % Mrs.
Goodwin complained Of pains IN her
knees. stating 70 DR. Murray that for
merlv she had taken sal hepatics for
this Addiction. 90 not take any medi-
cine. but trust in God was his r.
Spouse. she said. Il cost her 50
In his own defence Dr.. Murray said
he was minister who had lived here
for six Years. ~ did not diagnose the
case" he said. ~ never diagnose cases.
merely said 1T sounds like neural gis.'
! believe what al Christians believe,
that we may pray to God TO remove
our physical Ills
Lawyer John J. Rooney, who ap-
peared for the preacher, said that the
complaint was spite work on the part
Of a member OF the congregation who
was dissatisfied because she coulo hoI
run the womsn's club Of the church.
While he mentioned 10 names. II
was learned from a reliable source that
Mrs. Henry Van Pelt, Of 372 Convent
Avenue, was the woman referred 20.
Mrs Van Pelt. when seen at her resi-
dence. made no bones about her hostil-
ity 70 DR.. Murray.
"He's hypnotistl" she declared
"and a, soon as ! began TO suspect
him I left mis- church. IT'S MI non
sense TO soy that ! was dissatisfied
about any church organization. And as
for spite work. my only purpose in
talking now is that the good people Of
the church should no longer be taken
In. DR.. Murray has been teaching New
Thought. but not living it, He's psy-
chic AND a spiritualist, thnt's what
he isl"
When Dr. Murray was told about
Mrs. Van Pelt's accusations. at his
home. ll3 West Eiehty-seventh Street.
he said. "Poor soul, she 10 bcreft OF
her senses In our belief there is no
room for any undue influence exercised
either consciously or uneonsciousiy on
a church member, ard II is untrue that
7 have ever made use Of hypnotism."