The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-06
MRS. EDOl'S GIFT
KNOCKED OUT
RECONCILIATION

| Boston, JAM 6.-The legal night between
Mary Baker c. Eddy. head and founder
of the Christian Science cult. and her two
sons is rapidly taking on herceness
that exceeds I'm bitterness any OF the pre-
lvious proceedings In the famous case.
The sudden renewal OF the battle In
which the aged leader and George w.
Glover and DIR. Ebenezer t. J. Foster
Eddy are principals. has created aston
ishment all over the country.
| Christian Scientists from all parts OF
the United States. and even from foreign
countries. are asking for information
about the new phase OF the controversy
which sprang into prominence with be-
wildering suddenness when the gift OF 81
100000 to found Christian Science char
liable institution was announced.
Especially mystiled are leading Chris
| tian Scientists everywhere who have
known for several weeks that elaborate
plans for a complete reconciliation be-
tween Mrs. Eddy and her sons and for
| their public reunion on Christmas day at
| Pleasant View Mrs. Eddys Concord
home. were definitely arranged.
This reconciliation" proposed by Mrs.
Eddy herself, and arranged by the dis
tinguished lawyers on both sides. was de-
signed TO blot out all discord; To shield
Mrs. Eddy from further attacks: to avert
| the dreaded possibility OF litigation over
her estate after her death. and TO rehab-
lltdIe TIE SOnc, GiONeT anu fOSteI-Euuys
in all their rights and privileges OF their
| relationship.
| Like a clap of thunder from an un-
clouded sky came the public announce
ment from Mrs. Eddy personally, few
DAYS ago OF her purpose to create
Christian Science institute and to endow
| II with $1,000 900 This meant the distri-
button OF practically her entire estate,
now held by the trustees under the decd
OF trust executed by Mrs. Eddy three
days after the service OF the papers in
the now historic suit OF Next Friends"
to prove her incompetent
| II shattered the plan OF reconciliation
at blow to the amazement OF the law
yers on both sides, and to the consterna-
ton OF the Christian Science leaders. who
were eagerly looking ahead 10 the prom
ised Christmas reunion at Pleasant View
| Within "a hours after Mrs Eddys mys-
Itifying announcement the lawyers for her
two sons. ex-United States Senator VII
liam f.. Chandler John w Kelly of
Portsmouth N H., and Dewitt G. Howe
OF Concord n. H., had decided upon a
course OF action.
court of Merrimac county, New Hamp-
lshire, to restrain the Eddy trustees from
disposing OF the estate in their hands
pending legal determination upon the
absorbing question OF Mrs Eddy's men,
tai competency.
evidence as to Mrs. Eddy's mental ca
lpacity was restricted to the narrow limits
of her business transactions. The only
lquestion before the masters was her abil-
lity TO transact business. But the new
proceedings will rest upon Mrs Eddy's
attempt to give away, practically her
whole great fortune TO Christian Science,
In contradiction Of her own trust deed
and In direct violation OF the terms OF n
family reconciliation proposed by herself
, This makes the question 10 be raised
by the heirs OF Mrs. Eddy one OF alleged
religious monomania and opens the way
to sensational litigation. But all feelings
OF apprehension are swallowed up in the
surprise occasioned by Mrs. Eddy's latest
lact
Gen. Frank Streeter counsel-in-chief
for Mrs. Eddy. and his legal colleagues
are retieent and so are Mrs. Eddy's trus-
tees but William e. Chandler although
guarded I'm his language. made the follow
ing statement:
'"There are MANY things in this aston
fishing case OF which we are not at lib
erty to speak. II is perfectly true, how
ever. that Mrs Eddy has suddenly as
sured the offensive striking a twofoid
blow.
"First a fiat refusal TO consummate a
reconcilia ton between her sons and her
self which she instigated: and. second an
announcement that she proposes immedi-
ately to take possession OF the 81 ,000 600
In the hands OF her trustees and give IL
away to Christian Science charities in
spte OF the agreement OF trustees that
they will not allow to be used anything
but the annual income OF the s1,OO0OOO
prior TO Mrs Eddys death.
mo explanation OF Mrs Eddy's re-
markable actions have been attempted by
her lawyers" continued Mr. Chandler IT
can only believe that she was instigated
TO a population of her own scheme Of
reconciliation. and TO the donation of her
fortune TO Christian Science by someone
close to her"