The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-01-23
From the New YORK. Sim.

rum tire VIEW 1Oik sun.
II HE demonstration that Mrs Stet-
w son is to continue in unreslsted
and undisturbed control of the
large Christian Science church at Ninety
sixth street is also a demonstration of
feminine administrative and executive
ability
That house of worship. costing over a
million of dollars and architecturally OF
an artistic distinction recognized by arch
ltects generally. was paid for by funds
raised by Mrs. Stetson, and they were
made both as a manifestation Of faith in
Christian Science and as a tribute of
confidence in her leadership and loyalty
to it. In membership, also, hers Is one
of the largest religious societies in New
York. and that there is much wealth in
cluded in 1t is made evident by the erec-
ton of a church building Of so great a
cost.
At the meeting of the society on Tues
day evening the complete harmony of the
flock under the leadership of Mrs. Stetson
was illustrated in the unanimous and en-
thusiastic adoption of resolutions of de-
votion to her and of gratitude for her
brilliantly successful administration of the
spiritual and temporal affairs Of the con-
gregation.
This is all very significant. In the first
place, the ability of a woman as the ex-
ecutive head of a great association is
shown strilSngly Probably there are few
parish rectors in New York who have in
dividually a larger range OF duties and
- a..
with which this woman is charged Ire
chances Of criticism and discomfort under
her leadership and management must also
be increased by the purely congregational
character of the government of the Chris
tan Science communion. Her authority
can be maintained only by the demonstra-
ton of special abilities for its exercise and
by the retention of the confidence and
affection of the flock.
Again. the demonstration of Tuesday
evening affords evidence of a unity of
feeling and an enthusiasm in the Chris
tan Science body which suggests that this
new religious movement has passed be-
yond the stage when 1t is properly open
to ridicule merely. 1t seems to be some
thing OF which serious account must here
so enthusiastically are not inconsiderable
socially. Among them. as the building Of
this costly and imposing church edifice
bears witness, are many men and women
of far more than the average material
substance, and. as the artistic proportions
and decorations of the new temple afford
evidence, of far more than the average re-
finement of taste They cannot be looked
down on condescendingly as collection
of obvious eccentrics and moral degener-
ates, for probably they will bear COMPARE
son intellectually with other of the more
considerable religious congregations in
that neighborhood of responsibility and at
least exterior cultivation.
Their number also is growing and ap-
parently with rapidty. The Christian
Science idea. so derisively regarded In its
early PRONUNCIATION, SEEMS to have made
progress which entities it to the most
serious consideration. In the form of TIE
cognate New Thought it has entered
into many minds, more particularly at the
west, It would seem. We receive consider
able magazines devoted to rs propaga-
ton. and temples of worship built by its