New-York tribune., 1909-10-03
MRS. STETSON SERENE
NO FIGHT IN CHURCH.
Friends of Christian Science Leader
Look for No Disru ptiOn.

The revocation of Mrs Augusta E StetsOn's
license 20 teach and the removal Of her practi-
toner's card from the Christian Science publica-
tiOns by order Of the trustees Of the Mother
Church." in Boston. signifying the loss Of her
leadership in the First Church of Christ Scientist,
I'm New York. will not cause the disaffection of
any OF the members or induce Mrs. StetsOn TO or
ganize an independent church. This statement was
made yesterday by Edwin R. Hatfield. president OF
the board OF trustees cf the First Church.
According to Mr.. Hatfield. Mrs. stetson, who
has numerous friends and admirers In the church
where she has been the leader for sixteen years.
will not make any attempt to cause disruption
IN the Christian Science Church go contrary
to the dictates OF the board OF trustees in Boston
eugene r.. Cox. chairman of the publication COM
mittee Of the Christian Science Church In New
york. said that IL had taken the board OF trustees
three weeks OF examination and investigation TO
decide that Mrs Stetson had acted contrary to the
bylaws OF the. organization. and that she would
nave TO resign her privilege to teach and practice
Mrs StetsOn herself would make statement
yesterday, nor would any of the influential mem
bers of the church. The depOsed leaders home. in
sSth street. directly adjons the big stone edice Of
the First Church. and is connected with it by a
covered passageway. Mrs. Stetson has been accus-
toned TO using this In passing between her home
and her private Office in the reading Of the
church. She will no longer be able to the office.
but 1t is doubtful il the trustees will find II neces-
sary to close the passaseway since it is believed
that Mrs StetsOn will attend the church services
and use the reading room.
woman who represented Mrs Stetson at her
home yesterday afternoon said Mrs StetsOn would
not talk for publication. but that she had ami
mostly toward any one, and hoped that none was
felt against her.
The general disinclination Of every one in Chris
tan Science circles to discuss Mrs. StetsOn's
is not particularly significant il being the policy
of Christian Scientists not to talk about members
who are in embarrassing situations. If Mrs. StetsOn
has any plan of revolt she has has not yet dis
closed 1t to her friends. apparently, Should Mrs
StetsOn continue to live in her present home il will
probably have to be with the consent Of the board
of trustees who. it is understood lease the ground
on which the house stands Mrs. Stetson pays the
ground rent and owns the house. That the
oTinion Of Eugene r. Cox who has been only two
months in his present post. having come here from
Chicago.
When asked how Mrs Stetson might regain her
former place teacher and practitioner. Mr.. Cox
said that If after three years the Boston trustees
decided that Mrs Stetson had led an exemplary
life and been "a consistent COnsecrated Christian
Scientist" during that time. her license might be
restored to her. In discussing the charges made
against Mrs. Stetson. which resulted in the action
of the Boston trustees. Mr.. Cox said:
The third charge is that Mrs. StetsOn endeavors
to exercise a control her students which tends
TO hinder their moral and spiritual growth. In
this moral has OF of ethical meaning;
that is. Mrs. StetsOn kept herself so much before
them authority that 1t weakened their own
they should have worked out their problems "
Mr.. Cox denied that the Mother Church was
becoming jealous of Mrs. Stetsou's growing power,
but asserted that according TO the verdict of the
Boston church she had merely been teaching con-
trary TO the orthodox teachings Of the Christian
Science Church. and had continued to do so in spite
of frequent warnings.
Mrs Stetson examined first by the trustees
in Boston" said Mr.. Cox, "and then twenty-five
of her students examined. and from their
answers became apparent the irregular teachings
of Mrs. SJetsOn. n is significant that none OF
those who testified as v,st Mrs. Stetson knew that
they doing or I'm the least antagOnistic
to her. Those who had left her church ac-
count of the 1unOrthOdoxy OF her teachings were
not called testify
Virgil o. Strickler first reader of the First
Church, said; The members Of our church will
be surprised and deeply grieved to learn of the
things disclosed by the investigation conducted
by the Mother Church. but they loyal Chris
tion Scientists and viii stand by the Mother Church
and its directors