The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-16
INSANITY A MISFIT.
The Term Is Dropped From the Eddy
Investigation.


Concord, N. H, Aug. 16.-The term
general insanity as applied to the
condition Of Mrs. Mary Baker g. Eddy
by Dewitt c. Howe counsel for the
plaintiffs in the accounting suit brought
against Mrs. Eddy, has been formally
withdrawn by Mr.. Howe at the hear
ing before the masters, who are con-
sidering the question of the Christian
Science leaders competency. Mr. Howe
explained that while the courts Of this
and other states use this phrase re-
peatedly to describe such a condition,
it is not the technical term used by
alienists.
Judge Aldrich asked If the masters
had any more right to decide against
Christian Science as religion than
against Catholicism or Spiritualism.
Christian Science is a system of
medicine, not a religion" replied Mr..
Science is speculation 1t cannot be called
delusion. but when 1t is based upon
supposed facts which can be proved
not to be facts, then it is delusion-"
Judge Aldrich asked how this mat
ter of delusion was to be connected with
business competency. He spoke of the
widespread belief in the efficiency OF
player to alter natural conditions, and
asked if that was not as much a delu-
sion as belief in the cure of disease
by power.
mot at ALL" replied Mr. Howe THE
former is entirely a matter of specula-
ton, the latter is susceptible of proof"
Mr.. Howe sought to differentiate be-
tirely and therefore not capable of
proof. end those which are susceptible
of proof.
AS a step in the proof that her
alleged delusiops affect Mrs. Eddy's
feelings toward her relatives Mr.. Howe
claimed 1t is competent to show how
these decisions affected her feelings
toward her most intimate friends and
first supporters.
"Can you connect these isolated cases
Of prejudice with her feelings toward
George w. Glover?" asked Judge Aid
rich. at think we cam said Mr.. Howe.
He quoted a letter from Mrs. Eddy writ
ten in 1890, affirming her belief that
her son would endeavor to break her
will after her death, and asked for the
best advice as to conveying her copy
rights SO that they would be beyond
his reach
Judge Aldrich. for the masters made
the following ruling:
I'VE are all of the opinion that the |
evidence tending to show that Mrs |
Eddy is in a delusionary mental condi- |
ton in respect to forces operating upon |
her relatives and next friends and |
a character to show mental impairment |
and to influence her business affairs, |
is admissible. This is limited to alleged |
decisions which reasonably connect |
themselves Will ACSpCSl W lGc MANAGE 1
ment of property affairs. The majority |
of the board think that as these alleged |
delusions relate to conditions of mental |
going back to 1890 the mat |
ter is not too remote"
To this ruling. both sides excepted. |
The ruling shut out most of the |
taken in Boston but under 1t |
were introduced various letters writ
ten by Mrs. Eddy to DR. Dixon, who in
1890 was in charge of the Christian
Science publications. These letters in
troduced by the next friends show that |
Mrs. Eddy believed that evil mental in
duences were being exerted to hinder
her work to cause her son to form the
purpose of breaking her will upon her
death and stopping further publication
Of her works.