The letters appended will be understood by Journal readers living in Boston and vicinity, who know the history of Miss Gillespie's case. For the benefit of those living at a distance, however, who are not conversant with the facts, the following statement seems desirable. Especially does this seem essential in view of the extensive and wholly one-sided press reports lately current.
The latter part of the summer of 1889, Miss Florence Gillespie, of Chattanooga, Tenn.,— a pronounced "incurable in the last stages of consumption"— came to Boston to be placed under Christian Science treatment. With Miss Gillespie came two aunts, believers in Christian Science; primarily, to be with and render her such assistance as lay in their power; secondarily, to perfect themselves in the study of Christian Science with competent teachers here in Boston.
Up to within a short time of her passing on, Miss Gillespie perceptibly improved; being able to attend, with her aunts, the Christian Scientist Church services, and to mingle with us at the weekly conference meetings. Indeed, her physical improvement was noticeable to us all. This continued until some time in January, 1890, when the prevailing epidemic "La Grippe," appeared in the household where the three were stopping. Miss Gillespie was suddenly seized, and almost as suddenly passed away. The healer, having her case in charge, knew nothing whatever of the attack until a few hours before her death, when he was hastily summoned; but it proved too late to save her, so rapid had been the ravages of the "enemy."
