New-York tribune., 1909-11-14
AWAIT THE BATTLE
FIRST CHURCH VAR.
Mrs. Stetson Replies to Rich
ard Il. VerralPs Article.

Ninety-sixth street. near Central Park
West. the storm centre OF the currents and
cross currents OF malicious mental as
sasinetions'' and similar weapons. took on
busier air yesterday afternoon than Il
has had at any time since the opening %
the unpleasantness between the "Stetson-
ties" and the "antis' Of the First Church
OF Christ. Scientist
The card index OF membership. which
has been inaccessible to friends OF Virgil
y. Strickier. the frst reader. for several
weeks, was one OF the small centres %
activity. From q the StrickIer faction
ousily copied names. and as busily set
about informing the bearers OF them Of
the meeting tomorrow afternoon. at which
tie trustees will make their EnaI stand
and try 20 GUST the first reader. who mas
broken away from Mrs. S,stson's domina-
ton.
For the third time during the controversy
Mrs. Augusta z. Stetson. the suspended
teacher. issued a statement yesterday. II
was In the firm OF a letter written 20 one
or her pupils In 1870. In effect the state
men, was reply to the letter Of Richard
r NerraH published yesterday in The
Christian Science Sentinel" in which ne
drew comparison u the personality and
the principai methods OF teaching and prac-
tis-nS Christian Science
Democracy. il said. is absolute Christian
Science, and II will be the ''ultirnate'' when
man Is governed by God. But the hour
for this nnal demonstration is not yet"
At the Strickler apartment. at No. "a
West sSth street. and across the street. In
the apartment OF Richard p. Verral.
continual stream OF friends called 70 assure
lPf u rFr.
loyalty. Mr.. VerraIl. who = librarian OF
the church. has been for many years
close adherent os Mrs. Stetson. With the
outbreak OF the present trou5le. however.
he turned against her. thereny lmperilling
his post OF librarian. 70 which he was
elected by the trustees
II Is believed that should the trustees be
victorious in their fight 20 oust Mr. Strick-
Ter the librarian would be the next victim
In fact. Mr.. Vsrrall said yesterday that in
the unlikely event Of the movement 20
oust Stricken succeeding he would look for
his own dismissal
\ COMMITTEES OF nine. members and rsgu-
lar attendants. sent out yesterday 70 every
member OF the church a letter urging at
tendance AZ to-morrow's meeting In re
notice OF tie meeting sent cut BY the trus-
tees. says this letter. no indication was
given Of the fact that the real purpose Jf
The meeting was ID vote on the question OF
removing Mr. Strickler. That an ample de-
fence was ready for the frst reader was
shown b. the following sentence in the
letter of the committee OF nine;
At this meeting the motive back OF this
move against Mr.. Surickler viii be dis
any charges which may be brought against
him.
The letter closes with the statement that
the real question at issue is whether or not
the New York First Church shall be a
branch of the Mother Church. loyal to the
cause Of Christian Science. as represented
BY Mary Baker EDDY
Following the appearance OF the current
Christian Science Sentinel yesterday. in
which the Mother Church directors clearly
pointed out that they We're back Of Mr..
StrickIer, Mrs Susanne 5 Thomas, who
has been trustee OF the local church from
the beginning. made public a statement
allying herself with the anti-StetsOnites-
Mrs. Thomas. though a trustee took I'd
part in the meetings OF that board while
IT was shaping its charges against tho
First Reader. In her statement she points
Out that when it accepted the report OF tie
local committee of inquiry. exonerat-ne
Mrs SIerSOn- the chuIcA ShCWcu ul7io4 d4tS
to Mrs Eddy. She calls upon all who pro
claim themselves Christian Scientists 70
stand in line with the Mother Church
directors in refusing 70 ex0nerate Mrs.
Stetson, and IN backing up Mr.. SUrickler.
The rumor in some afternoon papers yes
terday that the trustees we're likely %
withdraw their charges against Mr.
strickler brought a quick denial from Z.
Z, EatHAI5 chairman Of the board