The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-11-19
BOARD TAKES UNUSUAL ACTION
AGAINST PROMINENT CHRIS.
TlAN SCIENCE WOMAN.
DIRECTORS STATEMENT
Affidavits Of Twenty Seven Persons,
Five Letters Written by Defendant
and One Composite Missive consti-
tuted Evidence Submitted by Com
plainant-hsaring Lasted for Hours.

Boston, Nov. 1S.-An order of ex,
communication against Mrs. Augusta
+. Stetson of New York, for years re-
garded as one Of the most prominent
and most powerful members of Chris
tian Science, was issued today by the
board of directors of the mother
church of this city. supreme authority
of the organization. In their order
the directors stated that a conference
of more than three days had con-
WINGED them Of the truth of charges
against Mrs. Stetson. namely, that
she had worked against the interests
of the church and of members of the
church who were not her followers,
and that she had persisted in teach
ings and practices that are contrary
to Christian Science.
Accommodation is rarely resorted
to in the Christian Science church.
and. in view of Mrs. Stetson's prom
inence. today's action was regarded as
most drastic. Mrs. Stetson formerly
was first reader of the First Church
of Christ. Scientist of New York City.
and until her suspension today. was
pastor-emeritus of that church at
salary of $1,000 a year.
Statement Issued.
In answer to summons by the
board Of directors. Mrs. Stetson on
Monday appeared before she board at
the mother church. The session was
secret, no one being present except
Mrs. Stetson, her counsel. witnesses
and the directors. The conferences
continued three days. or for more than
2S hours.
Tho hna .,s
their ruling in the following state
ment:
"A complaint against Mrs. Augusta
4. Stetson of New York. was filed
with the board of directors of the
First Church of Christ. Scientist, in
Boston. on November s. 1909. She
was furnished with a copy of it and
copy of the following orders:
1T has been ordered by said board
that the evidence in support or de-
fense of the complainant should be
presented in the form of affidavits
or documents, except that any evil
dence given or statement made by the
complainant or the accused should be
given or made orally and In the pres
ence of the directors: that the accused
should have the right of the assistance
of counsel and that the case should be
heard commencing on November Is
The hearing commenced at that
time and was concluded on Novem-
Der Il. Mrs. Stetson was present with
counsel. The evidence in support Of
the complainant consisted of the af-
fidavits of 81 persons, five letters
written by Mrs. Stetson TO her stu
dents. and n composite letter written
by some of her students and approved
by her. The evidence in defense of
the complaint consisted of one affi-
davit. two letters and Mrs. Stetson's
personal testimony and statements.
Conclusion Unanimous.
After considering the evidence At
was the unanimous conclusion that the
charges had been proved true. Mrs.
Stetsons name was then dropped from
the roll of membership of said church.
The offenses proved against Mrs
Stetson were of two kinds: First
working against the interests of the
members of this church. who are not
her followers and against the teach
ings of this church; second, persist
ing in teachings and practices which
are contrary to Christian Science"
Two months ago Mrs. Stetson's card
as healer. with those of her stu
dents who are also healers. was re-
moved from one of the official jour-
mails of the denomination.
Within week Mrs. Stetson's New
York followers had rallied to her sup
port and an investigation was held by
a special committee of the New York
City church. This resulted in her ex-
onera ton and was Immediately fol-
lowed by a meeting of the members.
majority of whom upheld the de-
cision. and movement was begun to
dismiss the present first reader. yir-
gil o. Strickler.
A letter from Mrs. Mary Baker G.
Eddy MAS read at another meeting in
New York Monday at which action
was expected against Mr.. Strickler,
but without a vote on the question
the meeting adjourned.
Since then Mrs. Stetson has obsyed
the summons of the board of direct
ors of the mother church and ap-
peared before them here.