Article November 17, 1906 Issue

MRS. EDDY WROTE HER OWN BOOKS

Alfred Farlow

New York American

If the World had been searching among Mrs. Eddy's friends, those who are best informed regarding her affairs, they might have learned that what they assume to be a secret was long ago published by Mrs. Eddy herself, and is well known to all Christian Scientists; namely, that the Rev. J. Henry Wiggin was for some years a literary critic for the Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy.

He was employed for the purpose of improving her diction, and Mrs. Eddy gratefully acknowledged the fact that he had not disappointed her, but faithfully performed the duties for which he was employed. It should be borne in mind, however, that something besides paragraphing and punctuation, something more than mere grammatical and rhetorical constructions, are needed to constitute such a book as "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." One must have ideas, and even the critic quoted in the New York World affirms that Mrs. Eddy furnished the substance for the Christian Science text-book, and that she was the last to pass upon it. She alone decided whether or not Mr. Wiggin's suggestions were to be adopted, and she always took care not to let his interlineations or changes affect her meanings.

I have heard Mrs. Eddy speak very highly of Mr. Wiggin and of his work for her. He seemed quick to grasp her ideas and able in the art of making whatever reconstructions were necessary to place them in a condition acceptable to Mrs. Eddy.

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