Support for the Christian Science Board of Directors
Smith, Karl N. and Walter H. Wilson. Support for the Christian Science Board of Directors. Plainfield: First Church of Christ, Scientist Plainfield, NJ, 1978.
Smith and Wilson were finally named as the authors of the ‘Paul Revere’ pamphlets and monographs published and circulated in the second quarter of the 20th century and which comprise this book. Contrary to harsh opposition from those not of the faith who sought to destroy the Church, the strong critique of the Paul Revere writings sought to save the Church from its own undoing—as indicated by the title of their book. Their names were dropped from Church membership in 1950 when their relationship with the Paul Revere writings was made known. The primary theme through their writings is their claim that animal magnetism (Eddy’s teaching on evil’s destructive, unseen methods) was manipulating the Christian Science Board of Directors and Church authorities to make decisions against the success of the Church. As the publisher notes, the commentaries in the compiled pamphlets “specifically deal with the ‘perils of organization,’ the need for demonstration in individual and church matters, the need for spiritual interpretation of the estoppel clauses to prevent violations of the Church Manual, the significance of the ‘Great Litigation’ of 1919-1921, and a full discussion of the resulting effects of these unresolved issues on the Christian Science movement” (Publisher’s Foreword). Most articles detail historical accounts of the disputed issues.
See also annotation:
“Mrs. Eddy’s Expressed Intention: Legal Opinions” by Clifford Smith and Walter H. Wilson
This reference is written by an ‘independent’ Christian Scientist and is included in the bibliography because of its historical value. For further explanation, click here.
Related Annotations:
Annotations related by category:
- Availability: Library or Purchase
- Controversy: Bliss Knapp’s "Destiny"
- Controversy: Church Manual
- Controversy: Great Litigation
- Official Christian Science Publication: No
- Organizations: The First Church of Christ, Scientist
- Publication Date: 1956-1980
- Resource Types: Book
- Subjects: Christian Science History after 1910
- Subjects: Church Manual, Governance, Leadership
- Subjects: Church Practices
- Subjects: Independent Christian Scientists