[Excerpts from an article by Mrs. Annie M. Knott, in The Christian Science Monitor, Boston, Massachusetts]

Mrs. Eddy was born in New England, July 16, 1821; she was reared among deeply religious and thoughtful people. Her personal appearance when she was actively engaged in the work of the Massachusetts Metaphysical College in the eighties was remarkable. Her hair was abundant and beautiful, of a rich brown color, while her complexion was as fresh as that of a woman of twenty-five, and her figure erect and graceful.

It would have been extremely difficult to have guessed her age at this period, as there was a freshness not always seen even in very young persons, but there was also a sort of mental maturity to which few people attain, and that spiritual poise which is not swayed by the passing of the years, but which betokens a reflection of the changeless life of Spirit.

The world was undoubtedly better for the Christian men and women who had helped to keep the light of Truth burning even though dimly, yet the centuries waited for the understanding of the divine Principle and law of the Christ-healing, waited for someone who was ready to give, not merely to state, but prove to the world what the Christ-healing can do in any age. Here it may be well to quote from the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (295:19–24), "The mortal mind through which Truth appears most vividly is that one which has lost much materiality—much error—in order to become a better transparency for Truth. Then, like a cloud melting into thin vapor, it no longer hides the sun." This explains in large measure Mrs. Eddy's place as a great spiritual leader.

Those who had the privilege of studying with our Leader did not find it difficult to believe what is recorded in the Bible as to the healing work of Christ Jesus and his disciples, and never was their credulity taxed by the inconsistent statement that what was once true is so no longer. No! It was unchanging divine Principle and law, the light growing clearer as material belief gave place to spiritual truth

A man who had never been interested in religion awakened to his need of it when a member of his family was given up by physicians to die. The sick man was, however, healed through Christian Science, and became Mrs. Eddy's student. His father said to the present writer he was then sure that God is, and is available in all our need. He, too, became Mrs. Eddy's student and had remarkable experiences in the healing ministry of Christian Science. He said that he could never doubt the Scripture record of Jesus' work because in his humble way he, himself, was proving daily and hourly that the Master's teaching and practice is applicable in the overcoming of all that is unlike God.

The textbook of Christian Science is indeed a "Key to the Scriptures" and enables its students to demonstrate the truth of the inspired word rather than to interpret it, and this is proved by them in all their undertakings.

Some of those who were privileged in being taught by Mrs. Eddy went out from her classes and had results in healing which surprised and awed themselves. The world was then slowly awaking to the meaning of Paul's words, "Christ in you, the hope of glory." All faithful students of Christian Science can prove for themselves in their healing work that the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science was divinely inspired to lay hold anew upon the words of the first Gospel, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations ... teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." "Heal the sick"!