The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-11-17
MRS. EDDY ACTS.
Stops Trial of Her Ally In
New York Church.
LETTER COMES JUST IN time
Founder Of Christian Science Cult
Urges, With All Her Soul,
Union With and Obedience
to Her Authority.

New York, Nov. 16. - Mary Baker
Eddy stopped the congregational meet
ing Of the First Church Of Christ, Sci
enlist, after 1900 members Of the con-
gregation had gathered to vote on the
proposed removal of First Reader Vir-
gil o. Strickler on charges preferred
by all of the trustees of the church but
one.
The meeting was declared adjourn
ed, the trustees charges were dropped
without even a vote, and the first read
er, who is Mrs. Eddy's friend and
partisan, was left secure in his posi-
ton.
A personal message from the leader
of the church herself was delivered
to the chairman of the board of trus-
tees by special messenger. The trus-
tees construed the message as a COM
mand, and when the first reader
opened the meeting, which had been
presumed to be the crucial test of the
belligerent factions that have split the
First church on the issue of Mrs. Au-
gusta r. Stetson's orthodoxy, Chair
man Hatfield read the following note:
To the Board Of Trustees, First Church
of Christ, Scientist:
Beloved Brethren-In consideration Of
the present momentous question at issue
in the First Church of Christ, Scientist,
1 am constrained to say if 1 can settle
this church difficulty amicably by few
words, as many students think l can, I
herewith cheerfully subscribe these words
of love-
My beloved brethren in the First Church
Of Christ, Scientist, New York city, l ad-
wise you, with all my soul, to support
the directors of the mother church and
unite with those in your church who are
supporting the mother church directors.
Abide in fellowship with and obedience
to the mother church, and in this way
God will bless and prosper you. This 1
know, for he has proved it to me forty
years in succession. Lovingly yours,
MARY BAKER EDDY.
A sibilant catching of the breath
sounded through the body Of the
church, and each member looked half
startled at his neighbor. The first
reader was ON his feet in an instant.
"a motion to adjourn is in order"
said he, "but if it is passed 1 will ask
you to remain in your seats until we
sing a hymn"
A gray haired man to the right Of
the main aisle put the motion, and
second sounded from several quarters.
The first reader put the question, and
there was a weak chorus Of yeas"
There were no mays" and Mr.. Strick-
ler declared the motion carried.
The congregation Joined full throat
ed in the three verses of Mrs. Eddy's
hymn, then slowly dissolved. Many
fingered about the platform, where an
informal levee was held in Mr.. Strick-
ler's honor. They kept him shaking
hands for a half hour in the church
and then followed over to his house.
Before the congregational meeting
had opened a brief meeting of the
trustees had been held to consider the
message, and at that meeting it had
been agreed that the word from Mrs.
Eddy precluded further action against
Mr.. Strickler.
"It is hardly necessary to add that
the trustees have at all times fully
compiled with the advice Of Mrs. Eddy
and will now comply with her advice"
Chairman Hatfield said. "The charges
against Mr.. Strickler are dismissed,
and as a matter of course the call for
a congregational meeting on Nov. % to
discuss the resignation of the present
board of trustees will be withdrawn"
Mr.. Hatfield was asked what action
might be taken by Mrs. Stetson's sup
porters in the First church in case she
should be communicated as the re-
suit of her present examination by the
directors of the mother church.
"Even II Mrs. Stetson is excommu-
nicated we will all abide by the deci-
sion of the board of directors in Bos-
ton and stay by the church." Mr.. Hat
field replied. MRS. Eddy's word is
law with us ALL"
Mrs. Stetson, the deposed leader Of
the church, is now on trial in Boston
on charges Of using malicious animal
magnetism, and her accommodation
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