The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-05-12
tEMIHMRS. NIB. EDDY
HEAD CT THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
FORCES GIVES HER VIEWS
ON DISEASE
PEN PICTURE OF THE LADY
Tells n New York Newspaper COrrc-
spOndent Her Successor VIII BE
HRn-COnservative on
Surgical Cases.

Concord (NH) Cor. New York Herald
Christian Science has been so much to
the fore of late that unusual public in
terest centers in the personality of Mrs.
Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of the
cult, and in his opinions on the matters
which have brought her followers in op-
position to state laws and public opinion
behind those laws. More than that, an
kind rumors, started doubtless by the
unfriendly, have made Mrs. Eddy a
myth she died long ago, said some;
she is living, but bedridden, said others,
and her place is taken by another wo-
man whenever it is a question of pub
lie appearance.
To settle both these rumors at one
stroke was the object Of a call at Pleas
ant View, her handsome home near
here. The granting of interviews is not
usual Mrs. Eddy's house would be
overrun with reporters, and the followers
of Christian Science itself would be pres
emf in growing numbers. Hence it was
a special favor that Mrs. Eddy received
the Herald correspondent. 1t has been
raining all day and is damp without.The
change from the misty air outside to
the pleasant warmth within the ample,
richly furnished house was agreeable.
The house represents only part Of Mrs.
lIddys wealth, resulting from the sac
Of her books. 1t contains hundreds OF
costly objects, sent to her with heart
felt good wishes by her children In
Christ"
Seated in the large parlor I became
aware of a White-haired lady slowly de
sCenGing the stairs. She entered witt
a gracious smile walking uprightly and
with light step, and after a kindly greet
ing took seat on a sofa. 1t was Mrs.
Eddy.
While the lady In a clear but not loud
voice was telling how she had sought
light upon the matter of seeing me- and
what had induced her at last to reach q
favorable conclusion, let me say first
of all that the lady was Mrs. Eddy in
deed. There was no installing that. Old
er in years, white haired and Trailer, but
Mrs. Eddy herself The likeness TO the
portraits OF twenty years ago. so often
seen in reproductions. was unmistakable.
There Is no installing certain lines that
depend upon the Osseous structure; there
Is no installing the eyes-those eyes the
shade of which is so hard to catch,
whether blue gray or grayish brown. anG
which are always bright And when [
say frail let it not be understood that 7
mean weak. for weak she was not. Well
preserved age is not uncommon now, and
Mrs. Eddy seemed very well preserved.
Later, when we were snugly seated in
the other smaller parlOr across the hall
winch serves as library, Mrs. Eddy SAT-
back to be questioned very slis2.
hardness Of hearing made Us sit little
closer together. She seemed to think that
I would want to know about her law
suit with the Messrs. Woodbury., of Bos-
ton, but was not anxious to discuss it,
III would come on in couple of weeks
and it had occupied some of her atten-
ton, but would We not talk of more
fundamental matter?
The continuity of the Church OF
Christ Scientist she said in her clear
voice, is assured. 1t is growing won
derfully 1t will embrace all the
churches. one by one. because in it alone
Is the simplicity of the oneness of God,
the oneness of Christ and the perfecting
or man stated scientifically"
How VIII It be governed after all now
concerned IN its government shall have
1T viii evolve scientifcally. It's cs-
Sehce IS evangelical It's government will
develop as it progresses
81, WIZ there be hierarchy. or will it be
greeted by single earthly ruler?''
in time its present rules of services
e. perfection"
1t was plain that the answers TO oues
tons would be in Mrs Eddy's own So Ri.
ohe mas rapt way OF talking locking
larSe-eycd into space, and works AROUND
a question in her own way, reaching an
answer often unexpectedly after a m, =
longed exordium. She eXpiained: mo
present change is contemplated in tNe
lulefShlp. You would ask, perhaps,
whether my successor will be a woman
or man. 1 can answer that 1t will b.,
q man"
Can you name the MANI"
cannot answer that now"
Here, then, was the definite statement
that Mrs. Eddy's immediate successor
would. like herself, be the ruler
I have been called d pope, but surely
J nave sought no such distinction. I
nave simply taught as I learned viii
healing the sick. It was in 1857 that the
lght of the science. came first to me In
1873 l wrote my book. 1t brought down
q shower OF abuse upon my head, but it