Article September 13, 1924 Issue

Speaking of Mrs. Eddy, Gerhardt C. Mars in his work...

Harry L. Rhodes, Committee on Publication for the State of Kansas

Pilot, Bronson

Speaking of Mrs. Eddy, Gerhardt C. Mars in his work entitled "The Interpretation of Life" says that one of the most striking characteristics of Mrs. Eddy's presentation was rationality. "Her thought from beginning to end is confined to pure rational intuition, and, taking the whole scope of it in its comprehension of our intellectual, moral, and æsthetic interests, her message is the most purely rational that has been delivered to man; and, in its essence, is an appeal to no authority but to that of pure reason alone." One of the best "pen portraits" of Mrs. Eddy in the latter years of her life was written by Arthur Brisbane and published in the Cosmopolitan Magazine. Mr. Brisbane is recognized as one of the world's leading journalists. According to the editor's note, "Mr. Brisbane is not and never has been a believer in Christian Science." Yet, after a visit to Mrs. Eddy's home and a lengthy interview with her, his fairness and honesty compelled him to admit that she was one of the strongest personalities he had ever met,—that she was a woman of great force of character, and one who possessed a rare power of intellect. The Brisbane interview with Mrs. Eddy was at a time when a suit was pending in the courts through which those who instituted the suit hoped to gain control of Mrs. Eddy's personal fortune. In an effort to make a test of Mrs. Eddy's capacities Mr. Brisbane put all kinds of questions to her. As a result of these tests, he said, "There certainly are few women of eighty-six that look, talk, think, or write with greater force and power than does Mrs. Eddy to-day."

An interesting insight into Mrs. Eddy's character is contained in a collection of editorials which appeared after her passing on, December 3, 1910. These articles were taken from newspapers all over the country and compiled in a volume entitled "Editorial Comments on the Life and Work of Mary Baker Eddy." The Courier of Boston said, "Whatever may be the prevailing opinion as to the tenets of her faith and its lasting benefit to the great cause of religion, none can deny that Mrs. Eddy was a remarkable personality, one of the great characters which stand out in bold relief in the history of the nineteenth century in spiritual affairs." The Rocky Mountain News of Denver, Colorado, said: "Christian Science is a solace, a support, and an inspiration to hundreds of thousands of human creatures. To them it is more precious than their daily bread. In its comforting power to its followers it is entitled to the world's reverence; and therefore the name of its Founder must claim the world's respect." The News of Providence, Rhode Island, spoke thus: "Mrs. Eddy has been the subject of much comment, but that she was a great leader of men and women is proven by the many thousands of adherents that she secured in the most cultured sections of this country."

The comments agree that the Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, was a remarkable woman. Her followers are not desirous to argue over her attainments, but in fairness it must be admitted that she was far from being uneducated.

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