The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-09-05
An EnthralIing Personality.

There are bound. to be many opin-
ions in regard to the truth of the reli-
Mary Baker G.. Eddy. the founder of
Christian Science. There can be only
one respecting the extraordinary
power and fascination of her person.
ality. In reading the narratives of
her life now appearing in McClure's
Magazine and in Human Life. We find
ourselves asking. inevitably: Was
there ever. in all the history of the
Great lovers there have been among
women, great writers and artists,
too; and one girl-knight who led her
hosts into battle. But has there ever
been a woman who. at forty years of
age, arose from a sick bed and went
out into the world to suffer almost in
credible adversities and humiliations,
and finally to become the founder of
a new religion?
The authors of both the narratives
mentioned are women. Georgine
Milmine, who is responsible for the
account appearing in McClure's. is
critical. and at times rather hostile,
in her attitude toward her subject.
On the other hand, Sibyl Wilbur. the
author of the Human Life articles,
interprets Mrs. Eddy's personality in
a spirit of alteration. though herself
disclaiming the title of Christian
Scientist. The accounts do not al
ways tally. and Miss Wilbur tries
again and again to convict her rival
chronicler of inaccuracy and distor-
ton. But both women furnish album
CANT evidence of the almost unearth-
ly influence with which Mrs. Eddy
has gripped the souls of men and
women during period covering
nearly half century. The people
she has Influenced have come from
every walk of life. They have been
humble New England spinsters, un-
cultured workingmen, hard-headed
business men, bank presidents, may
ors of great cities. and peers of the
realm Moreover. her influence is
operative even unto this day. 1t in
spires a sense of chivalrous attach
ment in those who know her init
mately. 1t cast its spell over the AS
ISOLATED Press reporters who visited
her last October. in a body, to cor
rect false rumors of her physical con-
dition. And. most significantly, it has
just drawn a tender and reverent1al
tribute from the pen of man whose
writings are distinguished, as a rule,
Meth ers by tenderness nor reverence.
that prince of yellow Journalists, Ar
thur Brisbane.-Current Literature.
A Hint Illustrated.
Miss Isabel Irving, the delightful CO.
Medicine, was annoyed last season by
a member of her company who persist
ed in occupying the center Of the stage
at every conceivable opportunity; this,
as everyone knows is the inalfenable
right of the star. The man, who in 9TH
er respects was a most excellent gentle
man, had received hints which should
have been sufficient, but he seemed I'M
able to grasp them. Miss Irving finally
hit upon a plan, and proceeded to put
it into execution.
That evening she went to the actor
and said: Mr.. -, 1 wish you would
come to the theater tomorrow morning
at IL. I have a bit of business which
1 would like to go over with YOU.
The next morning Miss Irving and
the stage carpenter, whom she had
pressed into service by small gratuity,
were waiting when the actor appeared.
Miss Irving got right down to bust
ness.
.eWill you sit here, Mr.. -?" she
asked. When he had done so, she took
the carpenter, caught up lantern and
a hammer and went beneath the stage.
There she tapped and hammered at
every conceivable point Of the stage
supports. The process took at least Is
minutes.
When she returned she said to the
waiting Thespian: "Mr. -, I have
tested every one of the supports of the
stage floor and 1 find that the beams
at the sides and rear are just as strong
as those in the center. You will, there
fore, be in no danger of falling through
If you keep away from the middle. -