A Denial by Christian Science.
By Editor
Under the quoted heading, “A Dreadful Scourge,” in the Signs of February 19, we published a part of an article by Chancellor J. R. Day, LL.D., of Syracuse University, which appeared in the Christian Advocate of December 26, 1901. It was a statement by Dr. Day in regard to the illness of a teacher of music in the university, to the effect that she went to Boston for Christian Science treatment, returned, and took “absent treatment;” and then under the most earnest solicitation of her friends permitted a physician to visit her. Dr. Day declared in that article that he charged the death of Unni Lund upon Christian Science. He also declared that the Scientists would deny it. The Scientists have denied it in an open letter to Dr. James R. Day by Alfred Farlow. Mr. Farlow denies almost in toto Dr. Day’s allegations, and, after careful investigation, declares that Miss Lund was never a week without medicine during the past few years, except a few days during her first week in Boston during November; that her illness was of seven years’ standing; that she grew worse under physicians’ care; that she took up Christian Science as a last resort, but that, after a few days’ treatment, she was persuaded again to resort to the treatment of material remedies, and was under the care of a physician at the time of her death. And the evidence seems clear that Dr. Day was mistaken. But as to this controversy and its issue, which has no bearing on the origin and nature of Christian Science, we will let Dr. Day and Mr. Farlow settle for themselves, if they can. Having published a part of Dr. Day’s charge, it is but right that we should publish the fact that it is denied, and proof of its statements challenged.