The Washington herald., 1907-08-24
Review Made in Statement
by Alfred FarlOw.
SHOWS ALIENIsTS' FINDINGS
DIR. Allan McLane Hamilton, One of
the Most Prominent Men I'm His
Glass, Believes Founder of Chris
tIan Science Church Competent TO
Manage Her own Affairs.

Glover and his daughter. Mary B. Glover,
and others. charging that Rev. Mary
Baker G.. Eddy, discoverer and founder Of
Christian Science. has been incompetent
to manage her business affairs, and that
she has been controlled and dominated
by certain OF her followers. has suddenly
collapsed by a motion Of the plaintiffs.
"a few days ago, in the course of the
hearing which has just closed, the three
masters who had been appointed by Judge
Chamberlain to determine the question Of
Mrs. Eddy's business capacity on the
I'd OF March. last. when she executed
a deed OF trust. together with the leading
counsel on both sides OF the case, visited
Mrs. Eddy at 5her home. and It was found
that Mrs. Eddy was not only thoroughly
competent, but exceedingly alert and quite
a match for the gentlemen who visited
her.
The result Of this interview, which has
been published all over the country, has
established beyond any doubt the fact
that Mrs. Eddy Is not only physically
strong for one Of her years, but one Of
the most alert women OF her age who
lives at this period.
Charges Not Proved,
Ever since the filing of the bill, the
next friends through their counsel have
made repeated statements to the public
press as 10 what they expected 10 prove
and the evidence they claimed TO have In
hand, but which they asserted could not
be disclosed at that time. but when op-
portunity arrived would be offered and
would sustain and prove each and all Of
the allegations In their bill relating TO the
incompetency Of Mrs. Eddy and the impo-
sitiOn and restraint that was imposed
upon her by ali those that were surround
ing her
Since the beginning Of the hearing by
the masters appointed by the court. the
fullest opportunity has been given them.
and the greatest latitude and indulgence
has been shown them by the masters. and
yet each succeeding day has shown their
inability TO produce any material OF com
peteut evidence that would tend to show
IN any degree that Mrs idy was not
fully competent and able 10 manage her
affairs
During the progress Of the case It had
been thought advisable that an expert
aiIenist make a thorough study Of the
case. To this end Dr. Allan McLane Ham
ilton was chosen. He visited Mrs. Eddy.
and has decided to publish MS findings"
The following is Dr. HamiltOn's state
ment;
Il have informed myself in regard 10
the mental condition Of Mrs. Mary Baker
O. Eddy, and, for this purpose, have
examined a large number OF documents
and letters, perhaps 100 in all, and have
examined her at her home, Pleasant
View, in this city.
The inspection and examination Of
autographs letters written by her show
inherent evidences Of mental yigor Her
mode Of expression IS logical and con
nected
Many Letters Read.
From the large number OF letters ap-
pended which I have read. there is no
mental defect indicated. In those writ
ten 10 Sir. Farlow there is a keen anx-
iety regarding her copyright, a desire
to avoid the violation Of the copyright
laws, an appreciation OF what has been
done for her by him, certain directions
in regard 10 the preparation OF the lit
erature OF the church and other matters
connected with her daily lie, and her
position as the head of the church. 1
find in the letters addressed TO Mr Nc
Lellan. the same kind Of intellectual good
order, and In facS there is nowhere the
remotest suggestion Of mental feeble
ness.
My particular interest is with the pa
pers written by her in the period begin
ming March. 1876. and extending down al
most to the present time. These papers,
which I understand have been prepared
and drafted by her, indicate either alone
or together a good deal Of intellectual
strength and consistency, and in this con-
nection I would draw attention TO the
draft Of trust deed prepared in March,
1895, and another in February, 1907, one
Of which was the basis for the establish
ment Of trust fund for the benefit Of
George ". Glover and his family
Instructions Are Logical.
L have also read the instructions con-
veyed in the letter of February y, 1907.
which was sent inclOsed in a letter writ
ten by Mrs. Eddy to her personal eoun-
sci, Mr.. Streeter. and which led to an
extended correspondence. All these
things prove that she possessed a c0nti-
nuity of intention and much deliberation.
which is. of course antagonistic 10 any
thing impulsive; that she had good and
sufficient reasons in the preparation Of
this trust deed; that there was tenacious
purpose in continuing to elaborate and
carry out her original idea Of providing
for her next of kin, and in advancing the
interests of the Christian Science Church.
She showed an ability to direct and
criticise others as 10 her affairs and in
everything a normal amount Of will power
which was exercised In proper direction
She had the capacity to appreciate de-
tails, to correct mistakes. and to see that
others were put right, which implied a
power Of attention which would not exist
in an individual OF weak mind. She pos
sessed a perfect knowledge Of her sur
roundings and the duties and obligations
Of those who were serving her.
Visit to Her Home.
My visit to her home was made on the
afternoon Of August Il. at p. m. I found
her to be an elderly woman, of delicate
frame, and evidently somewhat affected
by the heat. There was. however. no Wis
ible indication of any motor symptoms OF
insanity or nervous disease. Her express
sion was intelligent and in consonance
with what she said and did. She was dig
nified, though cordial and possessed a
certain sense Of humor which led her TO
perpetrate a joke about the so-caIed
next friend, whom she referred to as
'nexters.' There was no tremor, no affec-
tation Of speech, and, beside a certain
amount of slight deafness. found moth
ing the matter with her. She fully under
stood the nature and object Of my visit