Evening star., 1921-02-27

With this in mind, I had taken
time to read several Christian Sci
ence sermons, which were published
recently in the Sunday editions of
the New York newspapers, by Mrs.
Augusta f. Stetson, C. S. D., to find
some clue to her position in the dis
pute.
Sent by Mrs. Eddy.
1 learned that Mrs. Stetson had
been sent here many years ago by
Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, and that
she, with her students, had built
First Church of Christ, Scientist, at
Ninety-sixth street and Central
Park West, at a cost of $1,250,0O0,
and dedicated it, free of debt, as
soon as completed.
These sermons convinced me that
Mrs. Stetson understands and is
wholly loyal to the science which
Mrs. Eddy gave to her followers,
and that she is convinced that the
product of her versatile pen and
logic of her presentation will give
much light to those whom she calls
doubters and seekers for Truth,
upon a religion for which it is
claimed that, if demonstrable, every
one will be eager to investigate and
possess.
Desiring to secure an authorita
tive statement regarding the mo-
mentous issues in the Christian Sci
ence Church, sought an interview
with Mrs. Stetson, who did not
know me. Perhaps I was moved
also by desire to see if the Chris
tian Science teaching was being
proved in unimpaired faculties,
health and prosperity by this
woman, whom a large following
claims as one of New York's valued
citizens. Certainly it has for years
honored her for a brave, unhinch-
ing defense of the religion which
she believes and declares is Christ's
gift to the world, rediscovered by
Mrs. Eddy. I, therefore, rang the
bell at the brick and marble resi-
dence which, I learned, Mrs. Stet-
son built, owns and has occupied for
fifteen years.
Symbolism in Pictures.
The entrance to the house is
through a vestibule inclosed in
glass. This was filled with palms,
ferns and dozens of large calla lilies.
A large oil painting on stone, and
framed in marble. corresponding in
shape to the arched windows, faced
the glass entrance door of the vesti-
bule. The subject was from the
twenty-second chapter of Revela-
ton, "and he showed me a pure
river of water of life, clear as crys-
tai, proceeding from the throne of
God" The river and the trees on
either side readily indicated the re-
ligious sentiment of the owner of
the house.
The solid mahogany door, which
gives entrance to Mrs. Stetson's
home, bears a massive bronze
knocker, representing woman, who
holds down two lions, one with each
hand. One acquainted with SYM
bolism would at once apply this to
the great moral courage which Mrs.
Stetson must possess, to have car
ried on her Cause with such SEEM
ing conspicuous success in the face
of obstacles.
I was ushered into a beautiful
Louis XVI drawing room, the walls
of which were hung with rose du
Barry brocade satin. The five large
arched windows were draped with
heavy satin of the same shade and
filet lace.
Eight futed Corinthian columns
in ivory tone gave architectural dig
nifty to the room. On the walls
were two large oil paintings. One,
by Hoffman, was a picture of the
boy Christ disputing with the wise
men in the temple. The other was
a shepherdess with her sheep. The
piano and harp, both in dull gold,
and the chairs, tables and ornaments
gave the observer an impression of
harmony and beauty to be found
onlv in a home of refinement and
affluence.
= Remarkable Woman.
While enjoying the artistic fea-
lures of this room, secretary in
formed me that Mrs. Stetson would
see me in her library, which was
above the drawing room. This room
also is spacious, and beautifully fur
nished in red and gold. / was most
cordially received by Mrs. Stetson,
who remarked that while she rarefv