Editorial December 18, 1902 Issue

Favorable Decisions

THROUGH the courtesy of a friend we are able to give the following information regarding a case recently tried in Los Angeles, Cal. The prosecution was especially aimed at the practice of Christian Science and was considered to be a test of the rights of Christian Scientists in the State of California. In August last the five-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Merrill E. Reed died of diphtheria, and the parents, who were Christian Scientists, were arrested about a month later on a charge of misdemeanor for having allowed their child to die "without proper care, nursing, and medical attendance." The prosecution was under a statute enacted in 1876, but this was the first trial under the statute. The case was reached during the last week in November and the trial occupied four days, at the end of which time the jury returned a verdict of "Not guilty." The defence did not subpoena any witnesses, but hundreds stood ready to testify if needed. Twenty-four of the best citizens,—judges, senators, and well-known business men,—testified to benefits received through Christian Science treatment.

The Los Angeles Express in reporting the trial said, "The witnesses evidently were sincere in what they said, and the position of the men and women is such that they are above any suspicion of fraud."

The same paper gave the following summary of the testimony of Mr. Ben E. Ward, City Assessor and County Assessor-elect:—

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