Mary Baker Eddy Betrayed: Exhibits on Appeal

The Hon. Charles Evans Hughes, former Governor of New York State, who ran for President of the United States, and later became Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, summarized Eustace v. Dickey (1921) thusly: "It seems most unjust to Mrs. Eddy, most contrary to her teachings, to assume for one moment that she relied upon the despotic power which these Directors have arrogated to themselves. The unity that these Directors wish, the unity of despotic power, the absolute control of the entire government of Christian Science in the church and in the publications, and everywhere else, is the unity which might well destroy the very faith of the organization for the propagation of the faith, to which they profess to be devoted. "There is nowhere now any more ?centrally controlled? religious organization than the church founded by her [Mrs. Eddy]. It is the rigidity of the organizational structure with its extraordinary controls over branch churches, practitioners, and other responsible leaders, that has been the occasion for most of the conflict that has been aroused. "Every measure the Directors have taken to guard their authority has stifled freedom of thought and expression, inhibited initiative and responsibility, and has closed off the means of inspiration and instruction. Their every step has tended to dilute and emasculate Christian Science." (page 187)