Norwich bulletin., 1909-11-19
Mrs. Stetson
 Dropped From Roll
CHARGES SUSTAINED BY BOARD
 OF DIRECTORS.
SHE IS ACCOMMODATED
From the Christian Science Church for PersistentIy Working Contrary to It's Teachings and Practices.

Boston, Nov. 1S.-The name of Mrs. Augusta E. Stetson, formerly first reader of the Christian Science church of New York, was today dropped from the rolls of the Christian Science church by order of the board of direc- tors.
 It was announced that the directors had found the charges that Mrs. Stet- son was working against the interests of the church, and contrary to the teachings and practices of Christian Science, to be proved and true.
 Was Formerly First Reader.
 Excommunication is rarely resorted to in the Christian Science church and in Slew of Mrs. Stetson's prominence today's action was regarded in church circles were as the most drastic in the history of the denomination. Mrs. Stetson was formerly first reader of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, of New York city, and until her sus-' pension today, was the pastor emerit- us of that church at salary of $5,000 year.
 Receives News of Her Excommunica-
 ton.
 New York, Nov. 1s>-Mrs. Stetson received the news of her excommuni- cation this afternoon at her residence in West Ninety sixth street, adjoining the white stone temple of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, of which she had been the virtual ruler for nearly ten years. Efforts to obtain from her some statement commenting on the action of the Christian Science | directorate in dropping her from the rolls of the church, were met by the declaration, through a secretary, that nothing is to be said at present. but detailed statement of Mrs. Stetson's side of the case may be submitted later"
 Effect of the Removal
 Virgil O.. Strickler, first reader of the church, whom the excommunica- tion of Mrs Stetson now places in su- preme control of the church's spiritual affairs. was questioned as to the eff feet which the removal of Mrs. Stet- son from the sphere of Christian Sci ence influence would have upon the First church, and replied that he saw no reason why the change should in any way affect the church. He was unwilling to comment on the circum- stances which had brought about Mrs. Stetson's downfall, and referred his questioners to Boston for ampllfica- tion of the official statement issued there.
 The Charges.
 From one of Mrs Stetson's students it was learned ttst the charges lodged against the spastor eneritus'' of the First church embodied four counts. The first, as phrased in the official in dictments was that she did not Tive in Christian fellowship with members of the church who were not her own personal adherents." The second count accused her of "persisting in working against the interests of mem f-TI s,,. Il against the interests of the church and the cause of Christian Science in general; also influencing others to pursue a similar course"
 The third count alleges that Mrs. Stetson .'by word and work repeatedly made false representations of the lead CT of Christian Science" The fourth and last count recites that Mrs. Stetson, after being found guilty on September 25 of the offences charged and receiving a reprimand refused to heed the admonitions of !! the directors and persisted in the of lenses complained of"
 | Statement by Mrs. Stetson. New York, Nov. 1S.-Late tonight Mrs. Stetson gave out the following 1 statement: si 'T have not received any direct mo- | tice from the board of directors of the mother church. but have seen the mo- | tice in the newspapers, given out by | the Christian Science publication com | mittee for New York state, that my name has been dropped from the rolls of the mother church.
 ''No student of mine, with my ap- proval, will separate himself from the mother church or from Christian Sci ence.
 "As for myself. neither death noI life, nor angels. nor principalities, noI powers nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any 1 other creature, shall be able to sepa- | rate me from the love of God which is in Christ our Lord, and in Mary 1 Baker Eddv my beloved leader.'