New-York tribune., 1901-05-30
CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS, SUIT.
TRIAL. OF LIBEL. ACTION AGAINST MRS.
EDDY BEGUN

Boston. May 29.-The trial OF the libel suit OF MA
Josephine A. Woodbury. OF this city. against Mrs
Mary Baker @. Eddy. Of Concord. y. H.. the well
known Christian Scientist. was begun here to-day
The suit brought by Mrs. Woodbury. the
ground that two years ago Mrs Eddy. IN a mes
sage TO the First Christian Science Church here.
which was read four times and afrerward published
in a local newspaper. had in mind Mrs. Woodbury.
when she used the words 'the doom OF the Babylon
ish woman referred 70 IN the book OF Revelation
is being fulfilled" Previous this Mrs Woodbury.
had been communicated by the Church
Mrs. Woodbury. brought suit against Mrs Eddy
for $4,000 In her answer Mrs. Eddy declares hat
neither Mrs Woodbury. any other human being
was meant by the term "BabyIonish woman" the
phrase being used simply 10 describe type OF SIN
Mrs. Woodbury. present in court to-day. be-
ing represented by F. ". Peabody, but Mrs Eddy
would not appear. her deposition having been taken
for introduction in the evidence. She was
represented by Samuel J. Elder. Charles W. Bart
lett and William A Morse
Before the selection of z jury Mr. Peabody offered
affidavit bearing the case, which he said was
made necessary through the absence OF Judge g. F.
Hanna prominent member Of the mother church.
who. he said. caused the message OF Mrs Eddy 10
be published in the local pa aPers-
Mr.. Peabody said that a large number Of the w.t.
nesses in the court for the defence believed IN MrA
Eddy a marvellous woman and that they were
prompted to stand by her through religious
tives- He asked that they be excluded from the
courtroom Judge Bell refused TO grant Mr.. Pea
bOdy's request.
Willis F. Cross. of the editors OF the cnrt,-
tian Science journal. testified that he did not know
where Judge Hanna was. but a week ago the tudsD
was in Harrisburg Penn
William B. Johnson. a director or the r-sotner
church and secretary OF the board OF directors.
testified The first victory on either side came to
the defence when Mr. Peabody sought By this w.t.
ness 10 show that Mrs. Woodbury. the woman
referred to by Mrs Eddy in her alleged Hbellous
statement. on the ground that Mrs Woodbury. bad
sought and failed TO obtain admission mother
church in 1895. afterward admitted and haser
exconmunicated.
Mr. Peabody said that Mrs Eddy made the a.
legged hbeIlous declarations with fun knowledge
OF the fact that they would be construed as they
We're I'VE propose" said Mr. Peabody. ito brtns
before the jury all the incidents the lives OF Mrs
woodbury. and Mrs. Eddy. showing their relations.
ana TINS IS one of the most striking" The court
excluded the testimony Judge Bell said the testi-
mony would be only admitted after il had been
shown that Mrs EDDY controlled the action OF the
Mr. johnson produced his books. and found a
record for November 6. 1895. There nothing IA
tnat record he said, 70 indicate at whose sugges
ton Mrs Woodbury. dropped from membership.
ne mad received no communication from Mrs. Eddy
relative to Mrs. " OodbUry's admission A dOcJl-
ment was shown 10 Mr.. Johnson. He said he
tnOught II was not IN the handwriting OF Mrs
Eddy, although the signature was hers.
The letter was addressed to Mrs. woodbury.. and
reviewed her relations with the Church and with
Mrs Eddy. In it Mrs Eddy complained that she
quoted from alleged conversations with her. wherein
she Mrs Woodbury. virtually admitted that her
conduct had been entirely blameess. Mrs
EDDY said in this letter thar she. was not respon-
cluded with the following
How dare you, in the sight of Cod and with
your character behind the curtain. and your own
students ready 70 lift it you, pursue the path OF
Mr.. Peabody then said that a letter had been
sent by Mrs. WoodbUry's students asking Mrs Eddy
10 ''ft the curtain, and offered in evidence sew
eral kilograms sent 10 Mrs. Eddy in reply to her