Article September 14, 1907 Issue

It is unfortunate that the suit instituted by the "next...

Denver (Col.) Times

It is unfortunate that the suit instituted by the "next friends" of Mrs. Eddy was ever brought, and particularly that one of ex-Senator Chandler's standing should have conducted the case. However, it is possible that the charge that Mrs. Eddy was being kept virtually a prisoner by a few attendants may have been believed and that the suit was brought in good faith. It is as well, no doubt, to have the idea that she is being victimized dispelled. The withdrawal of the case would seem to be, as the Christian Scientists interpret it, a confession that the suit was brought unadvisedly and that Mrs. Eddy needs no protection from a designing coterie. There has been a sordid aspect to the case which has impressed the onlooker most disagreeably.

Morally Mrs. Eddy's fortune belongs to the church, which has been built up about the faith of which she is the recognized Leader .... When it turns out that Mrs. Eddy has no other purpose than to give to the church the fortune which its organization has made possible, the effort to secure any other disposal of it appears utterly unwarranted. That the relatives will be provided for Mrs. Eddy's lawyers assured the court, but under the circumstances the public will not feel over-solicitous on that subject.

There is something incongruous in the money side of religious activity of any sort, but as society is now organized it is a necessary incongruity. Mrs. Eddy's work has been criticised because of the large financial profits that have accrued to her and to the teachers under her. Nevertheless it is altogether probable that except for the masterly business methods employed the religious success of the movement would have been much less than it has been. The large fees for instruction have been a protection from dilettante discipleship and critical dabbling in the doctrine.

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