The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-11-19

NAME sCnATCHED FROM ROLLS or
MOTHER CHURCH.
nsard Of Directsrs Decides That she
OpDosea interests. Of the Moth
~ Church and Taught Wreng
Prfme1Vaes.

u
Augusta e. stetsou, formerly nrst
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. 1t was announced that the d.
rectors had found the charges that
Mrs Stetson was working against the
interests OF the church and contrary
to the teachings anu practice OF Chris
tian Science 10 be proved and true.
The action OF the directors Of the
mother church IL the most drastic In
the history Of Christian Science besides
being important by reason Of the
emeritus Of the tfrst Church OF
Christ. scientists, OF New York city,
where she has . large following.
The board OF diree tors OF the moth
or church made known their ruling In
the following staten emit:
"a complaint against Mrs. Augusta
4. Stetson. of New York city. was. rled
with the board OF directors Of the First
Church of Christ. Scientist. In Boston,
mediately furnished with q copy Of Ii
and q copy Of the following orders:
Il was ordered by said board that tho
evidence In support or defense OF the
complaint should be presented In the
form OF afidavits or documents. except
that any evidence given or. statement
made by the complainant or the ac-
cused, should be givun or made orally,
in the presence Of the directors; that
the accused should have the right to
the assistance Of counsel and that the
case should be heard commencing MOI
vsmber Is.
'sThe hearing commenced at that
time and was concluded on November
IL, at 4 D. m. Mrs. Stetson was pres
emit during the trial with her counsel,
Mr.. Haynes Davis. The evidence IN
support OF the complaint consisted OF
the a1idavits of tweuty-seven persons,
five letters written by MRS. stetson 20
her students and approved by her. the
evidence in defense Of the complaint
consisted OF one affidavit. two letters
and Mrs, stetson's personal testimony
and statements.
Consider ChsrEes Proved.
after considering the evidence and
Mrs. Stetson's statements made 70 the
directors, 1t was the unanimous con-
ciusion that the charges against her
had been proved and were true, MIS-
Stetson's name was then dropped from
the. roll OF membership of said church.
The offenses proved against Mrs.
Stetscn were OF two kinds:
First. working against the interests
of the members OF this church who are
not her followers, and against the
teaching OF this church.
Second. persisting In teachings and
practices which are contrary to Chris
tian Science"
The case has been watched for some
months by the directors in this city
ana two months ago Mrs. Stetson's
card, as healer. together with those
of her students, who also are heaiers
was removed from enc of the ofiictai
journals of the denomination.
Within week. MrI Stetson's follow
ers in New York had rallied to her
support and an Investigation was held
by q special committee of the New
York church. This resulted in her
exoneration and was immediately fol-
lowed by a meafing of the members OF
the church, a majority Of whom upheld
the decision, and q movement was be-
gun TO dismiss the present first reader,
Virgil o. Strickler. A letter from Mrs.
Mary Baker @. Eddy. the founder and
head of the Christian Science faith
was read at another meNtisfg IN New
York last Monday. at which action was
expected against Mr.. strfckier, but
without a vote on the question the
meeting adjourned.
Mrs Stetson returned to New York
last night.