Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1907-04-04
rng EDDY CASE.

AAt ttARsfttA 'NN>HN+1 e"es-|N~% ~
fecting the control OF the property OF
Mrs. Mary G, Baker Eddy, founder
and head OF the so-called Christian
Science sect, has served TO attract at
tention to this parsonage and to the
cult that she originated. The case
bids fair to bring to light great deal
not hitherto generally known concern
ing the remarkable woman who is its
chief figure.
The suit was brought by Mrs.
Eddy's own son by her first marriage
= she has been three times married
her ioster-son and other near relatives,
who assume TO act for her as her "neNt
friends" according to the legal term,
in order TO protect her interests from
injury at the hands OF parties said TO
be in position TO do her estate harm,
and disposed to take such action.
when the time is ripe, in order to pro-
mote their own affairs and those OF the
church with which they are promi-
nently Identified. Mrs. Eddy herself,
so far as can be learned from the
meagre reports that come from her in
seolusion, sympathizes with the de-
PENDANTS. That is, she occupies the
position OF being nominal plaintiff in
a cause where she sides the other way.
She believes in her church associates
and advisors, rather than her relatives,
and the battle is between these two /;
the spoils, Mrs. Eddy's quite liberal
fortune, realized from the sale OF her
Christian Science books, mostly.
The relatives will undertake 10
show that Mrs. Eddy is poor, weak,
shattered woman. far advanced in
years, incapable of directing her al
fairs and surrounded by designing
persons who make her do their will.
and who aim eventually to secure her
property for themselves and their
church. On the other hand, it is
claimed that Mrs. Eddy, though over
eighty, is a wonderful example OF
vigor, competent to transact business
and accustomed to constantly; that
she is not under duress in any respect,
but acts her own will, directing her
associates as she pleases, and they
obey also that this suit is a mere at
tempt on the part OF relatives not in
sympathy with Mrs. Eddy's teachings
to scoop the reward of her life-toil
quite against her wishes. She has al.
ready, it is stated, made ample provis.
ion for her kin, and she desires the re.
mainder of her property to 90 to the
church that she established. It's 8
peculiar mixup, and the chances ar,
all in favor of Mrs. Eddy's passing tc
the Great Beyond long before the slow
process of human courts ever settles
it.
Necessarily, Christian Science itsel
will figure to some extent in the litiga'
ton, especially since it has been the
agency through which the property in
volved has been accumulated. Mrs
Eddy was its unquestioned founder
though probably not the originator O
the system of physical healing that has
given the cult such impetus. An APP
pupil of a preceptor well along il
years, she took it up at his death, de
veloped it, wrote her textbook
Science and HEALTH" followed it will
other works, sought and obtained dis
ciples and proved that woman may
achieve what man has done in this
peculiar realm. The belief has spread
and converts have multiplied unit
they extend everywhere. AS class
Christian Scientists are notable fol
their strength of morality and mental
ity. They are not, measured by ordi
nary standards, intellectual weaklings
They are certainly not evil at heart
Their motives are the purest; thei
sincerity no one questions. Instead o
the rough and unlettered, Christian
Science has made greatest progress;
among the cultured and refined. |
has great wealth at its command, TO
, circles of affluence have welcomed it
} The doctrine of Mrs. Eddy may NOV
scott or jeer, but as exemplitied in it
! followers it commands respect. The,
are good citizens and good Christians
even though we qualify it with tina
, sometimes harsh word, peculiar"
Mrs. Eddy claims to have discovere
the secret OF health abont thirty year
ago. 1t did not consist in the admins
tration OF drugs, or OF unusual gym
l nastic stunts, or of rOughousing tn
human body with the hands. 1t cor
sisted in the power of the mind owe
q the matter of the body. Make th
t mind pure and give it full control owe