Republic

Page 63

             [The Republic, Washington, D. C., February 2, 1895]

         [Extract]

3      CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

         MARY BAKER EDDY THE “MOTHER” OF THE IDEA — SHE HAS AN

         IMMENSE FOLLOWING THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, AND

6      A CHURCH COSTING $250,000 WAS RECENTLY BUILT IN HER

         HONOR AT BOSTON

         “My faith has the strength to nourish trees as well as

9      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 delight-

12    ful 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

15    made by a remarkable woman, who has originated a new

         phase of religious belief, and who numbers over one hun-

         dred thousand intelligent people among her devoted

18    followers.

         The great hold she has upon this army was demon-

         strated in a very tangible and material manner recently,

21    when “The First Church of Christ, Scientist,” erected at

         a cost of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, was

         dedicated in Boston. This handsome edifice was paid

24    for before it was begun, by the voluntary contributions of

         Christian Scientists all over the country, and a tablet im-

         bedded in its wall declares that it was built as “a testi-

27    monial to our beloved teacher, Rev. Mary Baker Eddy,

Page 64

1      Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, author of

         its textbook, ‘Science and Health with Key to the Scrip-

3      tures,’ president of the Massachusetts Metaphysical Col-

         lege, and the first pastor of this denomination.”

         There is usually considerable difficulty in securing suffi-

6      cient 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,

9      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

12    refuse further contributions, in order to stop the continued

         inflow of money from enthusiastic Christian Scientists.

         Mrs. Eddy says she discovered Christian Science in

15    1866. She studied the Scriptures and the sciences, she

         declares, in a search for the great curative Principle. She

         investigated allopathy, homoeopathy, and electricity, with-

18    out 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

21    Principle was the Deity.