CHRISTIAN SCIENCE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144198, 15 September 1913, Page 5

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE.

A FATHER’S EVIDENCE. At tho Hornsey Coroner’s Court last month an inquest was hold on tho body of Nora Annio Jowoll, seven, daughter of Benjamin Jewell, builder and decorator, of Stroud Green Road, N. Benjamin Jewell said his child had been ill from ten to 14 days. Ho could not say what was tho matter with her. She complained of nothing except a little discomfort. A slight swelling appeared on her neck. The witness added that when another child developed what appeared to bo mumps ho and his wife did not call in a doctor, but had Christian Science help. Tho Coroner. —What does your Christian Science help consist of? —I am afraid I cannot tell you that. What was your share in getting this Christian Science help?—My wife or I telephoned to a practitioner, a Miss Feck, at Brunswick-tcrracc, Nottinghill Gate. Miss Peck come to sco the child?

What did Miss Peck do so far as you know ?—Sho took up Christian Science treatment.

How' did you know sho began this treatment? —Because the boy got better in two days.

Is that in your opinion tho only test to bo applied or not, whether the child gets better or not?—That is sufficient evidence.

No, that is not an answer to my question. Have you any other means of judging whether the treatment has boon applied other that if the child gets bettor? —No.

Then if tho child does not get better you think tho treatment had not been applied?—Wo should know it had been applied, as it had been asked for. Then tho treatment is always given if asked for?—Yes, certainly, if at tho parents’ request. Asked for and paid for, I suppose?— Yes.

Is tho Christian Science treatment success! ul ?—Treatment by Christian Science is always successful. Immediately successful my case it has been up to this time. What is Cliristi.au Science? —It is that “God is absolute good”—that is as far as I can tell you without going into tho whole subject. What is your view about illness—does illness exist? —My own view is that illness is a false belief. Questioned as to tho child Nora, tho witness said that about ten days ago a swelling appeared under the neck. Mrs. Jewell telephoned to Miss Peck for- her treatment, and the swelling disappeared. Miss Peck did not sco tho child. When tho swelling wont down they told Miss Peck that sho could stop. On Monday night about 10 o’clock the child died. There was no appearance at all of the child being very ill except on Monday, when, at Mrs. Jewell’s request, ho called in a doctor. Asked why ho scat for a doctor, tho witness ©aid that ho tried to telephone to a practitioner of Christian Science first, but could not get connected, and then wont for a doctor. Tho Coroner.—lf you could have had Christian Science treatment at a quarter to 10 on Monday you would have had it rather than a doctor?—Yes, if we could have had tho treatment straight away. , . . [Reports by cable stated that the child died of diptheria, and that tho father was tried on a charge of manslaughter, but acquitted.]