Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-22
MRS. STE1SONS PEW VACANT
NONE OF HER HOUSEHOLD AT
TENDS FIRST CHURCH.
Deposed Christian Science Teacher
Remains in Seclusion-Public An
nouncement Expected Soon.

NEW YORK. November 22-Not a
member of Mrs. Augusta E. Stetson's
household attended the services yesterday
in the First Church of Christ, Scientist.
and last night members of the cOnsrega-
ton were discussing the fact and Won
dering what it meant. Although Mrs.
Stetson herself has not set foot in First
Church since her first admonition by the
mother church month or more ago, the
other members of her household had been
attending as though nothing had hap
pened.
Mrs. Stella Simpson. younger sister
of Mrs. Stetson. always occupied the
Stetson pew. along with Miss Antoinette
Ellsworth, Miss Sybil Huse and others
who live In the Stetson home next door to
pew was vacant A few members of the
congregation were seen to enter the Stet-
son house after the morning services, but
Mrs. Stetson had not returned from the
home Of the mysterious friend, where she
went a few hours after news of her ex-
communication by the mother church
reached this city.
There was q report circulating in the
congregation yesterday that Mrs. Stetson
was at the Ansonia, but this could not
be verified at the hotel. William Fl. Tay-
lor and John d. Higgins, two of the First
Church trustees. and both Of whom have
been Mrs. Stetson's most loyal followers,
live at the Ansonia, and. according to the
ments there. she might be in close
touch with these two trustees without ex-
citing the attention of those who may be
closely observing her movements in order
to report to the mother church authorities
The first report a few days ago had it
that Mrs. Stetson was at the home of
Mrs. Kate Y. Remer, on West 9Oth street.
but this was denied at the Remer house.
Innovation in the Service.
The only occurrence at the First Church
services yesterday which bore at all on
the 'Stetson question: as it has come
to be called among the congregation. was
an announcement by Virgil o. Stricken
informing the First Church flock of the
hours of service of the other Christian
Science churches in New York. The an
nouncement was made in connection with
the regular church notices. which are
read by First Reader Stricken from the
pulpit at morning and evening services.
Members of the congregation said that
1t was the first time in the history of
First Church that other Christian Science
churches had been mentioned at a serv-
ice. 1t had been Mrs. Stetson's custom
to refrain from referring in any way to
the existence of any other Christian Sci
ence church in this city except her own
First Church. This was one of the
things complained OF by those who drew
the attention OF the mother church off,
cials to Mrs. Stetsons teachings and
methods.
There was a report in First Church cir
Giles yesterday that one of Mrs. Stetson's
practitioners who testified before the
committee of inquiry of First Church in
a way which greatly favored Mrs. Stet-
son is about to be accommodated by
the mother church. This practitioner is
one Of those whose testimony in Boston
was adverse to Mrs. Stetson's teachings.
but who. upon her return, denied all the
assertions she had made in Boston and
sought to shield Mrs. Stetson before the
committee of inquiry.
Those who opposed Mrs Stetson strong
est say they expect a public announce
ment by the accommodated teacher in
the next few days.