Mary Baker Eddy

The following was reported Saturday, February 3, 1866 in the Lynn Reporter:

Mrs. Mary M. Patterson, of Swampscott, fell upon the ice near the corner of Market and Oxford Streets on Thursday evening, and was severely injured. She was taken up in an insensible condition and carried to the residence of S.M. Bubier, Esq., near by, where she was kindly cared for during the night. Dr. Cushing, who was called, found her injuries to be internal, and of a very serious nature, inducing spasms and intense suffering. She was removed to her home in Swampscott yesterday afternoon, though in a very critical condition.

Years later in an interview Mrs. Eddy described the healing that took place:

. . . the dear ones around me said, “If you can’t live, tell us something, do tell us something as you always do, of your views,” . . . I said to them, “Why, I can’t conceive in this vestibule that there is death. . . . It does not seem death to me; life seems continuous, and my Father’s face dearer than ever before.”

The clergyman . . . entered and . . . said, “You seem near to heaven. Do you realize that you cannot recover?” I said, “They tell me so, but I cannot realize it,” and he said to me, “I must see you again; I am engaged now, but I will call in a little time. I want to see you again living if I can.”

He stepped out . . . I requested the others to leave the room and they did. Then I rose from my bed perfectly sound; never knew health before, always an invalid. I went downstairs . . . The clergyman returned. He was so startled he did not know whether to conclude it was me in the body or out. He said, “What does this mean?” I said, “I do not know.”

The doctor was sent for . . . He said, “How was this done?” I said, “I cannot tell you in any wise whatever, except it seemed to me all a thing or state of my mental consciousness. It didn’t seem to belong to the body, or material condition. When I awakened to this sense of change I was there, that is all I know.” . . . he said, “This is impossible,” and immediately I felt I was back again, and I staggered. He caught me and set me in a chair and he said, “There, I will go out. If you have done that much, you can again.” . . . When I found myself back again I felt more discouraged than ever.

As I sat there it all seemed to come to me again with such a light and such a presence, and I felt, “It is all the mind. These are spiritual stages of consciousness,” and rose right up again. And then I felt I never could be conquered again.

The following in her own words is from the Christian Science textbook:

In the year 1866, I discovered the Christ Science or divine laws of Life, Truth, and Love, and named my discovery Christian Science. God had been graciously preparing me during many years for the reception of this final revelation of the absolute divine Principle of scientific mental healing.

This apodictical Principle points to the revelation of Immanuel, "God with us," — the sovereign ever-presence, delivering the children of men from every ill "that flesh is heir to." Through Christian Science, religion and medicine are inspired with a diviner nature and essence; fresh pinions are given to faith and understanding, and thoughts acquaint themselves intelligently with God. S&H 107:1-14.

For three years after my discovery, I sought the solution of this problem of Mind-healing, searched the Scriptures and read little else, kept aloof from society, and devoted time and energies to discovering a positive rule. The search was sweet, calm, and buoyant with hope, not selfish nor depressing. I knew the Principle of all harmonious Mind-action to be God, and that cures were produced in primitive Christian healing by holy, uplifting faith; but I must know the Science of this healing, and I won my way to absolute conclusions through divine revelation, reason, and demonstration. The revelation of Truth in the understanding came to me gradually and apparently through divine power. S&H 109:11-24

In following these leadings of scientific revelation, the Bible was my only textbook. The Scriptures were illumined; reason and revelation were reconciled, and afterwards the truth of Christian Science was demonstrated. No human pen nor tongue taught me the Science contained in this book, Science and Health; and neither tongue nor pen can overthrow it. This book may be distorted by shallow criticism or by careless or malicious students, and its ideas may be temporarily abused and misrepresented; but the Science and truth therein will forever remain to be discerned and demonstrated.

Jesus demonstrated the power of Christian Science to heal mortal minds and bodies. But this power was lost sight of, and must again be spiritually discerned, taught, and demonstrated according to Christ's command, with "signs following." Its Science must be apprehended by as many as believe on Christ and spiritually understand Truth. S&H 110:13-31.

This is only a brief introduction to the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science and how she made the Science revealed to her available to humanity. She proved the practicality of her discovery by healing all manner of sin, disease and even raising the dead. She also taught others how to do it themselves, and made this knowledge available in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures to any sincere seeker for Truth.

There is much more to learn about the life of Mary Baker Eddy and her selfless toils on behalf of mankind. But before closing, we should answer the question: How did Mary Baker Eddy view herself. It has been proclaimed that she taught and believed herself to be a Christ. Let her answer for herself. Mrs. Eddy wrote what follow in a letter published in in the New York Herald, February 6, 1865. It was published in Pulpit and Press 74:13—75:12.

"A despatch is given me, calling for an interview to answer for myself, 'Am I the second Christ?'

"Even the question shocks me. What I am is for God to declare in His infinite mercy. As it is, I claim nothing more than what I am, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, and the blessing it has been to mankind which eternity enfolds.

"My books and teachings maintain but one conclusion and statement of the Christ and the deification of mortals.

“Christ is individual, and one with God, in the sense of divine Love and its compound divine ideal.

“There was, is, and never can be but one God, one Christ, one Jesus of Nazareth. Whoever in any age expresses most of the spirit of Truth and Love, the Principle of God's idea, has most of the spirit of Christ, of that Mind which was in Christ Jesus.

"If Christian Scientists find in my writings, teachings, and example a greater degree of this spirit than in others, they can justly declare it. But to think or speak of me in any manner as a Christ, is sacrilegious. Such a statement would not only be false, but the absolute antipode of Christian Science, and would savor more of heathenism than of my doctrines.  

"Mary Baker Eddy"

 That is Mrs. Eddy’s statement on the question, and nowhere in her writings, published or unpublished has any statement contradictory to this been found.

Questions and Answers.

Question. Why the term or title Christian Science; what does Science have to do with Christianity or Christianity with Science?

Answer. Mary Baker Eddy, answers this question in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, the textbook of Christian Science: “If Christendom resists the author's application of the word Science to Christianity, or questions her use of the word Science, she will not therefore lose faith in Christianity, nor will Christianity lose its hold upon her. If God, the All-in-all, be the creator of the spiritual universe, including man, then everything entitled to a classification as truth, or Science, must be comprised in a knowledge or understanding of God, for there can be nothing beyond illimitable divinity.” [S&H 126:32-8].

Under the marginal heading “The unity of Science and Christianity” Mrs. Eddy explains in greater depth: “It has been said, and truly, that Christianity must be Science, and Science must be Christianity, else one or the other is false and useless; but neither is unimportant or untrue, and they are alike in demonstration. This proves the one to be identical with the other. Christianity as Jesus taught it was not a creed, nor a system of ceremonies, nor a special gift from a ritualistic Jehovah; but it was the demonstration of divine Love casting out error and healing the sick, not merely in the name of Christ, or Truth, but in demonstration of Truth, as must be the case in the cycles of divine light.” [S&H 135:21-32].

Question. What is the link between Science and Christianity?

Answer. Jesus Christ is the link between Science and Christianity. Christ is the basis or foundation of Christianity and Christian Science is the explanation and application of the teachings of Jesus to humanity. Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth and the life.” [John 14:6]. Mrs. Eddy writes: “Christian Science is the law of Truth, which heals the sick on the basis of the one Mind or God.” [S&H 482:27-29].

Question. How do Christian Scientists view Jesus?

Answer. Christian Scientists adore Jesus and are deeply grateful for what he has done for mortals. Throughout the writings of Christian Science he is referred to as: Master, Saviour, “the Way”, Way-shower, Exemplar, Messiah, and Christ the Son of God. The following under the marginal heading “Jesus the Scientist” is very illuminating: ”Jesus of Nazareth was the most scientific man that ever trod the globe. He plunged beneath the material surface of things, and found the spiritual cause.” [S&H 313:23-26].

Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science has written: “For three years after my discovery, I sought the solution of this problem of Mind-healing, searched the Scriptures and read little else, kept aloof from society, and devoted time and energies to discovering a positive rule. The search was sweet, calm, and buoyant with hope, not selfish nor depressing. I knew the Principle of all harmonious Mind-action to be God, and that cures were produced in primitive Christian healing by holy, uplifting faith; but I must know the Science of this healing, and I won my way to absolute conclusions through divine revelation, reason, and demonstration.” [S&H 109:11-22].

In short, as a true and devoted follower of Christ Jesus Mary Baker Eddy sought to discover the Science that of all that Jesus said, did, and expected his true followers to do. See Mark 16:15-18.

Question. If Christian Science reveals how to make the teaching of Jesus practical, why didn’t the established Christian churches openly and readily embrace its teaching?

Answer. Since this question is related to the next question, this and the next question will be answered together.

Question. The Bible tells us: “Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people [Matt. 4:23]. He raised the dead, and overcame death. Given these proofs, why didn’t the ecclesiastics and people to whom he first appeared accept him as the Messiah and embrace his teaching?

Answer. The Scriptures declare: “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” [John 1:11]. The answer to these two questions is given by St. Paul in his epistle to the Romans: “The carnal mind is enmity against God.” [Romans 8:7]. The resistance of the carnal mind to progress is seen even in the physical sciences. Recall that those who did not understand them or felt threatened by the ideas they advanced have persecuted Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, Einstein and many others. If that is the case relative to the physical sciences, how great must be the resistance to the Science of Spirit! Mrs. Eddy explains this resistance in these words: “The cross is the central emblem of history. It is the lodestar in the demonstration of Christian healing, — the demonstration by which sin and sickness are destroyed. The sects, which endured the lash of their predecessors, in their turn lay it upon those who are in advance of creeds.” [S&H 238:31-4]. This resistance to new or higher ideas is something we must all guard against in ourselves if we desire to advance.

Paul put forth the kind of thinking that overcomes this resistance and releases us to attain a freer and higher sense of being in his letter to the Hebrews: “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin (influence of the carnal mind) which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” [Hebrews 12:1,2].

Mrs. Eddy said it this way: “Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear, — this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony. The purification of sense and self is a proof of progress. "Blessed are the pure in heart:  for they shall see God." [S&H 323:32-6]. Jesus said: “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” [John 8:32].

Question. Many denominations of Christianity accept and recite a version of “The Apostles Creed.” Do Christian Scientist believe in this creed, and if not can you provide a detailed listing of beliefs that Christian Scientists are required to accept?

Answer. While Christian Scientists respect the convictions of all believers, they do not commit to memory and formally recite a creed. No matter how correct any statement of belief may be, if it is accepted only on the basis of belief and not understanding it may be found impractical and subject to error. In the Christian Science textbook we read: “Faith, if it be mere belief, is as a pendulum swinging between nothing and something, having no fixity. Faith, advanced to spiritual understanding, is the evidence gained from Spirit, which rebukes sin of every kind and establishes the claims of God.” [S&H 23:16-20]. 
Mrs. Eddy was asked a similar question she considered so important she included it and its answer on page 497 of Science and Health in the chapter Recapitulation, a summary of the scientific metaphysics of absolute Christian Science.

Question. — Have Christian Scientists any religious creed?

Answer. — They have not, if by that term is meant doctrinal beliefs. The following is a brief exposition of the important points, or religious tenets, of Christian Science: —   

1. As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life.

2. We acknowledge and adore one supreme and infinite God. We acknowledge His Son, one Christ; the Holy Ghost or divine Comforter; and man in God's image and likeness.

3. We acknowledge God's forgiveness of sin in the destruction of sin and the spiritual understanding that casts out evil as unreal. But the belief in sin is punished so long as the belief lasts.

4. We acknowledge Jesus' atonement as the evidence of divine, efficacious Love, unfolding man's unity with God through Christ Jesus the Way-shower; and we acknowledge that man is saved through Christ, through Truth, Life, and Love as demonstrated by the Galilean Prophet in healing the sick and overcoming sin and death.

5. We acknowledge that the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection served to uplift faith to understand eternal Life, even the allness of Soul, Spirit, and the nothingness of matter.

6. And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure.