New-York tribune., 1901-06-04
MRS. EDDY ON TRIAL.
MRS wooDBURY'S SUIT AGAINST CHRIS
TAN SCIENCE LEADER RES----D

Boston, June tSpeciaD.-Mrs. Mary Baker G..
Eddy the alleged mother of the Church of Christ
Scientist was so feeble that she was unable to be-
in court here to-day when the libel suit for s5oCo
brought by Mrs. Josephine C. Woodbury., re-
sumed. The temperance of Septimius j. Hanna
an editor of Christian Science publications. who
left the city short time ago and for whose return
a reward of $3.50 offered OF the SEN
sations afforded to those who crowded the narrow
courtroom 1t not stated why Mr.. Hanna came
back to be witness the trial. though TO friends
he said that he had been taking vacation
William B. Johnson. clerk of the Mother Christian
Science Church, was also a witness Christian
Science has hard work to admit the existence OF
failing eyesight, but Mr.. Johnson when asked TO
read the bylaws of the church. had great difficulty
in making out the characters of the section. upon
which, he said. Mrs. Eddys request for Mrs. Wood
bury's accommodation was based His testimony
to-day consisted largely in trying TO answer
question as 10 what the mystery of iniquity,' a
phrase used By Mrs Eddy in relation 70 Mrs. Wood
bury's accommodation, meant The witness fnaI-
ly said that the terms meant nothing to him.
Mr.. Peabody, counsel for the plaintiff. asked Mr..
johnson: rs there distinction between dropping
from your church and exeommunication?''
There is distinction made" the witness
replied. and went 10 explain that Mrs. Woodbury.
the first person who, after having been
dropped from membership. had been excommuni-
Gated. Her a precedent.
The witness said on June ). 1893. the membership
of the First Church Of Christ, Scientist, about
fourteen thousand.
Joseph Armstrong. business manager OF tho
Christian Science Publishing Company, said that
the company not incorporated. " publishes
Christian Science literature. The Christian Sci
ence Journal and THE Christian Science Senti-
mel" The concern is carried by a board OF
trustees appointed by Mrs Eddy. The periodicals
were purchased by Mrs. Eddy from the corpora
ton, which formally published them. and they are
still copyrighted in Mrs Eddy's name
In response to other questions the witness said
that Mrs Eddy had owned the periodicals and had
had voice in directing them.
In cross-examination by Mr.. Bartlett the Wit
said that Mrs. Eddy gave the periodicals TO
the board of trustees outright. and that she did
get the profits earned. He said all that Mrs.
Eddy owned was the copyright.
Clara Elizabeth Choate then took the stand.
Mr.. Peabody asked: Among Christian Scientists
in this city is Mrs. Woodbury. known as mental
malpractitioner?'' This excluded under pro-
test. Then the question came: DO you know what
the belief of the members Of the First Church is
the mission of the defendant TO the world
at this perod?'
II do not know" the answer
The witness. asked whom she thought was re-
ferred in Mrs. Eddy's message. replied that she
never could have said she understood the passags
referred 10 Mrs. Woodbury.. for. she said. Il
never understood II meant anybody" Mrs. Choate
said that her refused admission a men,
Der Of the church. She attended the service when
the alleged Hbellous communication read
Septimus J. Hanna said he first reader at the
First Church of Christ. Scientist. and described
what his duties were. Mrs Eddy. he said. is
Asked the question direct Mr., Hanna said lie
was Christian Scientist He was at service when
Asked If an article in answer TO the article by
Mrs Woodbury. in The Arena Magazinse'. s in. in Nav.
Eddy did not read the attack. and wanted nothing
made reply 10 comments in the papers in two
pamphlets, in which he gave history OF Christian
Arena article