CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7587, 22 December 1902, Page 2

CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS.

— ♦ — THE "LIFE-THOUGHT" TREATMENT. A Christian Science case of unusually outrageous character is exciting intense interest in New York. Mr and) Mrs Quinby, residents of White Plains, a New York suburb, recently lost a child through- -malignant diphtheria. Being strong believers in Christian Science, they declined to send- for a doctor -when tho child fell ill, but called in John Lathrop, a well-known healer. Lathrop gavo the child "mental" treatment, and, after -days of suffering, it died. Two other children in the family have since caught thd disease, the mother is also a victim, and! the neighbourhood is threatened with an epidemic. At the inquest, t : he Coroner decided that the parents and Lathrop were guilty of gross neglect in withholding medical aid, and ordered them to be ! hdd for. the decision of a grand jury on a charge of manslaughter. Mrs Quinby, owing to illness, was not in Court. Lathrop and Mr Quinby were released on bail. Tho Courtroom during the proceedings was packed with Christian Scientists. Lathrop underwent a vigorous examination by the Coroner concerning his belief and the methods of treatment. He stated that the parents told him the child was suffering from tonsilitis, which, like all other diseases, was simply an erroneous belief in the human mind. To cure it he tried a. realising prayer. Mrs Quinby. in a statement to the Coroner, said that when the child died she tried to overcome death by means of "life thoughts." lint was unsuccessful. Questioned by the Coroner, Lathrop declared that Christian Science could raise the dead. Such a. case "had actually occurred about five roars ago. Efforts will be made to have Lathrop and tlio Quinbys indicted and tried for manslaughter. Lathrop has been assistantlwvcler in one. of t-lie largest Christian Sci?uee churches in New York, which is attended by a large and Avealthy congregation, cliirfly -women. Christian Scientists are jubilant ovor the corp, and pny t'he prosecution pra.cticallv means prrfocntion. and that persecution is a splendid advertisement, and only serves to swell tbteir ranks.