NOT long ago, a drama from life was enacted in Southern California, that at one time threatened to be a tragedy, and that was witnessed from beginning to end, with the most intense interest by the faithful Scientists of Riverside and San Bernardino. The scene was a courtroom in San Bernardino where a Scientist was tried for manslaughter.
The accused was Mrs. Eliza Ward an earnest, faithful student of Mrs. Davis the pioneer Scientist of that section. It was not denied that the patient had been given up by the physicians as a hopeless case before he came under Mrs. Ward's treatment. The trial lasted five days and cost the county nearly 85,000. Clergymen and physicians instigated and aided the prosecution. For four years the earnest and successful work of Truth under Mrs. Davis' leadership had grown and prospered in spite of the enmity of these ministers and physicians. Again and again they had seen patients given over to die by medical skill, made whole and sound by Christian Science. Every now and then the ministers had the mortification of seeing prominent church officials and influential members enroll themselves in the ranks of the Scientists in spite of all entreaties and threats. The local newspapers were beginning to speak of the wonderful work of this new religion. When at last these opposers of Christian Science had succeeded in getting Mrs. Ward indicted for manslaughter, they felt that finally the time had come when they could crush out what they called "this pestilent heresy." Their only regret was that they had not succeeded in getting Mrs. Davis in their toils, instead of one of her pupils. Nevertheless they boasted openly that now they would wipe out Christian Science from that section of the country.
Let us rapidly follow the trial scene through. The court convene Monday, in San Bernardino, the county seat. The room and ante-room are crowded with people, representing the friends and the foes, as in the trial of the Master. The accused, a little Englishwoman, sits near her counsel pale but full of hope and courage. To mortal seeming her case appeared desperate, but she had learned to look beyond the evidence of the senses, thereby giving a grand proof of the glorious Truth. The clergymen and the doctors sit there facing their victim. The witnesses are called. One of the doctors testifies that the post-mortem examination showed clearly that a simple incision in the head would have relieved the patient, prolonged his life and probably saved it. The other physicians corroborate this opinion, though they had previously said the patient could not live. These physicians represented the best resident medical skill of the place. Unless the force of his testimony could be broken in some way the jury would be likely to return a verdict of "guilty." At this point, the lawyer employed by the Scientists calls to the witness stand Dr. J., a medical expert of high professional standing. He testifies that no ante-mortem diagnosis agreed with the findings of the autopsy that the physician in charge had pursued a line of treatment exactly contrary to what he should have adopted, and that it was in his opinion clearly a case of malpractice. This was a thunderbolt from a clear sky; but the case goes on. Witnesses testify; the lawyers wrangle. Finally, on the fourth day of the trial, the prosecution calls to the witness-stand Mrs. Davis, the beloved teacher of the accused. What does this mean? Do they think that she will testify against her pupil? The second question reveals the purpose of the prosecution. It was to convict the accused by getting Mrs. Davis to admit that she disapproved of the line of treatment followed by her pupil in the later stages of the case. What a cruel position for a lady to be in! But in that furnace of fire, there was seen by Truth's harassed disciple "the form of the fourth," enabling her to walk unscathed through the fiery flames. The lawyers ply her with questions and keep her on the stand until 4 p. m. The next day they call her again, and question her until noon. Among other questions she is asked: "What is Christian Science?" "What can it do?" "How does it work?" etc. In answer to one question she said that if she were to answer it fully she would be obliged to give a course of Christian Science lectures. The judge kindly tells her to take all the time necessary to answer the question fairly. Then she tells them what our blessed Science is and what it does. In effect she preaches the gospel of Science in that crowded court-room.
