Editorial May 11, 1907 Issue

MRS. EDDY'S RELATION TO THE PEACE MOVEMENT

Archibald McLellan

As there has been more or less misinformation extant as to Mrs. Eddy's relation to the international peace movement, it may be well to state the facts in a few words, so that there need be no further misunderstanding. Mrs. Eddy had no official connection with the National Arbitration and Peace Congress recently held in New York, nor at that time with any national or international body under whose auspices the Congress was held. Subsequent to the Congress, First Church of Christ, Scientist, in New York, asked Mrs. Eddy to allow its members to contribute one thousand dollars, to secure for her a membership of the highest class in the American Branch of the Association for International Conciliation; and this courtesy was accepted by Mrs. Eddy in a letter to First Church of Christ, Scientist, New York, which has been published in the daily press as well as in a recent issue of the Sentinel.

Membership in the Association for International Conciliation is divided into six classes, as follows: Foundateur, Donateur, Honorary, Life, Associate, and Annual, and Mrs. Eddy's membership is of the first of these classes. We are informed that Mrs. Eddy is the first American member Fondateur, and that she is at present the only American member of this class. Membership in the American Branch includes also membership in the general Association, and we understand that the different classes are open to any person who has the objects of the Association at heart and contributes the amout necessary to obtain a membership of the class desired. The Association was founded by Baron D'Estournelles de Constant, who is its President and also a member of The Hague Court.

It will be seen from the above that Mrs. Eddy's only official relation to the peace movement is that of a voluntary member of the Association for International Conciliation, and that precisely the same membership is open to any person who may wish to identify himself with the Association in the same way. Her membership is that of a private individual, and in so far as the prestige of her name and the use of the money which was subscribed is of value to the cause of international peace, she is glad, no doubt, to be identified with the Association.

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