“Mrs. Eddy’s Expressed Intention: Legal Opinions”

Smith, Clifford and Walter A. Dane. “Mrs. Eddy’s Expressed Intention: Legal Opinions.” Christian Science Sentinel Web Original (September 1, 2013). 

This 2013 reprint of an article from a 1954 pamphlet emphasizes the legal opinion of Mary Baker Eddy’s intention and authority to provide for the permanency of The Mother Church and its Manual. Some had claimed that because Eddy’s personal approval could no longer be given on business matters for The Mother Church, the Church should cease to exist. The Christian Science Board of Directors requested the opinion of Dane & Howe Counselors at Law to settle the question. Based on documents, Dane concludes that just because you can’t get Eddy’s approval for action prescribed by the bylaws doesn’t mean the Christian Science Board of Directors can’t take them; and that The Mother Church organization was intended to be an organization of perpetual duration. The documents cited include Deeds of Trust and five other instances in which Eddy deliberately expressed her intention for The Mother Church to continue when she knew she would not continue to participate in the Church’s administration.

Subscribers to the Christian Science Sentinel can read the article here.

ISSN: 2325-3932
Print ISSN: 0009-563X