Mary Baker Eddy the "Mother" of the Idea.--She Has an Immense Following
Throughout the United States, and a Church Costing $250,000 Was Recently
Built in Her Honor at Boston.
"My faith has the strength to nourish trees as well as souls," was the
remark Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, the "mother" of Christian Science, made
recently as she pointed to a number of large elms that shade her
delightful country home, in Concord, N.H. "I had them brought here in
warm weather almost as big as they are now, and not one died." This is a
remarkable statement, but it is made by a remarkable woman, who has
originated a new phase of religious belief, and who numbers over 100,000
intelligent people among her devoted followers.
The great hold she has upon this army was demonstrated in a very
tangible and material manner recently when "The First Church of Christ,
Scientist," erected at a cost of $250,000, was dedicated in Boston. This
handsome edifice was paid for before it was begun, by the voluntary
contributions of Christian Scientists all over the country, and a tablet
imbedded in its wall declares that it was built as "a testimonial to our
beloved teacher, Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, discoverer and founder of
Christian Science, author of its textbook, 'SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY
TO THE SCRIPTURES,' president of the Massachusetts Metaphysical college
and the first pastor of this denomination."
There is usually considerable difficulty in securing sufficient funds
for the building of a new church, but such was not the experience of
Rev. Mary Baker Eddy. Money came freely from all parts of the United
States. Men, women, and children contributed, some giving a pittance,
others donating large sums. When the necessary amount was raised the
custodian of the funds was compelled to refuse further contributions in
order to stop the continued inflow of money from enthusiastic Christian
Scientists.
Mrs. Eddy says she discovered Christian Science in 1866. She studied the
Scriptures and the sciences, she declares, in a search for the great
curative principle. She investigated allopathy, homeopathy, and
electricity, without finding a clew; and modern philosophy gave her no
distinct statement of the science of mind healing. After careful study
she became convinced that the curative principle was the Deity.
(_New York Tribune_, February 7, 1895.)