Having noted much in the press on certain questions relative to Christian Science, including frequent public reports of deaths under this system, a reporter for the Journal interviewed Alfred Farlow, the well—known Christian Scientist, with the following results:—

"Do Christian Scientists lose many patients? And why are their losses so extensively published?" queried the reporter.

"A few cases published in multitudinous ways give the impression of a multitude of cases," said Mr. Farlow, "and I presume that such is the purpose in the minds of those who write these reports for the press, most of which are prepared by the enemies of Christian Science, or at the instigation of its opponents, and are handed to the news—papers, where they are generally published without much thought.

"After many years' experience with newspaper men I find them usually fair and broad—minded, and this fact is evidenced in their willingness to publish both sides of all questions. A large majority of those who place themselves under Christian Science treatment have already exhausted their faith in other remedies, so that their condition is critical when they fall into the hands of our practitioners. Many of such cases are saved, while some are lost. It would scarcely be just to charge such failures to neglect or the alleged fanaticism of Christian Scientists, since these may think, Christian Scientists, since these patients are already considered incurable. Whatever others may think, Christian Scientists, most of whom have tested the regular schools, are convinced that a smaller per cent of people die under Christian Science treatment than any other system, and I think it is quite generally conceded by those who are not believers that a more general uniformity of health and happiness is to be found among those of this faith than any other class. A friend said to me, 'I will admit that you Christian Scientists keep provokingly well and happy.'

"A very large proportion of the failures which are charged to Christian Scientists are erroneously so charged, while the reports of others are exaggerated, only giving those points which are unfavorable, and excluding historical facts in the various cases which would make the reports much more favorable toward this form of treatment. For example: A short time ago it was reported that a Christian Scientist in New York City died from pneumonia. This I learned to be true; while I also learned that he had been healed several years ago of an organic heart trouble which had been pronounced incurable. Another case was reported to have died from consumption. Investigation revealed the fact that the woman had exhausted all hope in medical skill, and was given up by her physicians twelve years ago; but had been kept alive all these years by her dependence upon Christian Science. A child was said to have died of diphtheria; and after thorough investigation we failed to find any individual by the name given; neither could we find any case which had been under Christian Science treatment in that place, nor any one who had died with that disease. I might enumerate many more instances, but space will not permit. To name Christian Science and the healer in connection with a death, even when true, is irregular and hence unfair; since the school and doctor are not usually named in connection with those who die under other systems, and the effect, therefore, is to emphasize the impression that the practitioners of this faith are losing more cases than other systems."

"Do Christian Scientists believe in vaccination and in sanitary laws? Is it true, as has been alleged, that the Christian Science text—book inculcates a disregard of san— itary measures and common cleanliness, or principles whose logical conclusions lead thereto? And do Christian Scientists report contagious diseases?"

"The following," replied Mr. Farlow, "is a statement which has recently been given out by Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, the leader of this movement:—

" 'On the subject of reporting contagion, I have this to say; I have always believed that Christian Scientists should be law-abiding; and, actuated by this conviction, I authorized the following statement, which appeared in press about a year ago:—

" 'Rather than quarrel over vaccination, I recommend that if the law demand an individual to submit to this process, he obey the law; and then appeal to the gospel to save him from any bad results. Whatever changes belong to this century, or any epoch, we may safely submit to the providence of God, to common justice, individual rights and governmental usages.'

" 'This statement should be so interpreted as to apply, on the basis of Christian Science, to the reporting of contagion to the proper authorities when the law so requires. When Jesus was questioned about obeying the human law, he declared: "Render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's," even while you "render unto God the things that are God's." '

"Some Christian Scientists are careless in reporting contagion for the same reason that many who are not of this faith are thoughtless in the same respect; simply because they are careless generally, not having proper regard for others, and proposing to do as they please. It in no way conflicts with Christian Science treatment to report such cases, and to do this is the intention of our denomination. The lives of Christian Scientists will attest that their doctrine inculcates that 'Cleanliness is next to godliness,' and they are for this reason firm believers in all reasonable sanitary methods. The logical conclusions of our religion are full of good sense, and stimulate the Christian desire to love one's neighbor as one's self.

"Some of our critics confound the mental modes of this school with its teachings in respect to outward dealings with our fellow-men. Whereas, while conviction forces the Christian Scientist to be radical in his reliance upon spiritual power, on the other hand, moderation and charity toward others' views place him under an equal obligation to respect the laws and customs of the people among whom he lives. Such we believe to have been the practice of the early Christians. For example: This Science reiterates, 'Take no thought for the body,' but 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,' This teaching of our Lord must refer to the mental recognition of God's power and His government to the exclusion from thought of the material body and its wants, as Paul indicated in the statement: 'We are confident, I say, and willing to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.'

"The Christian Science text-book, 'Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,' criticises the placing of undue dependence upon bathing, scrubbing, etc., as a means to health, while the better part, the mental recognition of the omnipotence and omnipresence of God, is forgotten. Christian Scientists believe in a high degree of cleanliness and decency, and their doctrine on this point should be judged from the general practice of its adherents. Are Christian Scientists less scrupulously neat in life and person than other people?"

"Do Christian Scientists neglect their patients?" was the next question.

"While the practitioners of this school do not administer medicines," Mr. Farlow answered, "yet they are very attentive to their patients and always see that their material wants are well supplied. The sick are always given proper food and attendance."

"What about the charge that children should be pro tected against the practice of being forced under Christian Science treatment?"

"The children of Christian Scientists as a rule understand this faith and can heal, and are anxious to have Christian Science treatment when they cannot conquer for themselves. Young children have been known to heal and to keep themselves well. We see no reason why Christian Science parents and guardians should not be allowed the same privilege which is accorded to other believers — a choice of remedies for their little ones. If materia medica had proven itself a sure cure there would be just cause for forcing every one to resort to the use of medicine; but so long as thousands die daily under the regular schools, a large per cent of these being children, there is little ground upon which to assume that Christian Scientists should be forced to the same remedies under which millions of their neighbors have fallen.

"To decide the efficacy of a given system of healing, its general or aggregate results must be considered. To assume that Christian Science is a menace to life and health simply because it differs from other schools is perhaps natural, but not fair, All established methods have had at least some success, while the untried seems a risk to the conservative, however much virtue there may be therein. Christian Scientists have great charity for the opinions of those who are not thoroughly conversant with their methods and their results. They nevertheless have a right to expect that a very broad hearing should be had on this subject before judgment is passed— such a hearing as will include a general review of the successes of their practitioners, and not merely a scrutiny of their failures.

"It has been asked: 'Can Christian Scientists diagnose cases sufficiently to know when to report a contagious disease?' Christian Science will surely provide for all the necessities of its practitioners. God's promise is to just such an occasion, and it cannot be less applicable to direct men's thoughts rightly on such important subjects when healing disease. Jesus said: 'Ask, and ye shall receive. Furthermore, it should be remembered that while Christian Scientists do not claim an intimate physical knowledge of the ill of the flesh, they are able to diagnose correctly from a spiritual standpoint, and thus note the true nature of disease and are enabled thereby to heal by means of their understanding of the divine Power.

"As a proof of this they would point to what has been accomplished. So far as contagion is concerned, this seldom enters the nomes of Scientists, for their understanding of the Divine power and presence is generally sufficient protection, and they have also been very successful in healing these trouble when called upon to do so."

Boston Journal.