The San Francisco call., 1904-10-08

OAKLAND, Oct. 7.-"Members of
members Of clubs or organizations, the
Freemasons excepted, which shall ex-
clude either sex or are not named in
the manual Of the mother church. God
separates the tares from the wheat to
garner the latter in his storehouses."
Such is the edict that has been issued
by the. Christian Scientists of the
United States at the instance of Mary
Baker Eddy, acknowledged head of the
cult. PRONUNCIATION of the order has
stirred the women's clubs of this city
to the centers. Though the movement
toward withdrawal Of members has not
been sufficiently strong to warrant Sc
rious consideration as to status, there
has been no little discussion among the
club women, as it is known there are
many such who are affiliated with the
Christian Scientists.
That there has been a. resignation of
members from the Ebell Society is the
understanding of Elmer McBurney,
temporarily filling the place Of the Rev.
F. ]. F1uno, as head of the Christian
Science Church of Oakland. So far
as the leaders are concerned they de-
fend Mrs. Eddy's dictum and assert
that it is entirely consistent with the
general tendencies of the teachings.
McBurney is borne out in his state
ments as to withdrawal Of Christian
Scientists from interdicted clubs by
Mrs. D. c. Borland, member Of the
EbeIl, who says several members have
retired in accordance with the order
rather than to stand against the
church Of their belief.
The direction to the Scientists ap-
pears in a recently issued church man
ual as one of the bylaws adopted by
the general board of directors. 1t is
set forth under a caption Church Or
, ganization Ample" The publicity
given the rule and the effect it must
have in compelling faithful members to
choose between their club or their
church has aroused wide discussion in
the church, and among the clubs where
Christian Scientists have been en-
rolled. Here is an opinion from Alfred
Farlow of Boston, Mass, touching the
much-agitated bylaw:
find that the majority favor Mrs Eddy's
action. II has long been noted that the grow
ing interest IN cluDs anu OIeduiZdllOuS OulSlue
the church and home, and especially those
/ clubs which segregate the sexes, have sup
ported the growing tendency to disunion in
the church and home. The action OF
4 the Christian Science Church is not intended
| 70 deDreciate in any degree the good accom-
pished by fraternal orders, but simply points
| TO another way of doing 1t. The Christian
Science Church. however. does not propose 10
/ dictate terms TO other denominations nor TO
/ interfere in any way with the fraternal or
Sanizations and clubs; it only asks the priv
| ilege OF accomplishing within itself the ends
! for which such organizations are intended,
thereby unifying the motives and efforts Of its
members.
Elmer McBurney said:
relates TO men well women; in fact,
| the law includes all members of our church.
! I have heard that several members of the
| Ebell Club and other clubs Of Oakland have al
/ ready resigned. The law OF the church is
plain and each member must decide for HIM
/ self.
I Mrs. ]. B. Hume, president of the
Ebell Society, said tonight:
Mrs. Eddy's order has been discussed by
our members with relation to its possible ef-
i feet on the club. OF course there have been
designations since the. law was promulgated
| but I must confess L. have not been able To
trace the cause OF Withdrawal to the order
| though II is quite possible that II has had
/ its effect on some Christian Scientists oar
| membership is close to 500 and there are
changes constantly The subject has been one
Of considerable interest. however, and no eoubt
womens clubs generally have given it thought.