In a recent issue a reference is made to Mary Baker Eddy...

B. Palmer Lewis, Committee on Publication for the State of New York,—New York

Newsweek,

In a recent issue a reference is made to Mary Baker Eddy and Christian Science that is rather misleading, not so much in what it says as in what it omits.

In a book review, faith-healing and mesmerism are mentioned. Phineas P. Quimby of Maine is referred to as "a remote disciple of mesmerism." The reviewer goes on to say: "Thus Quimby cured one Mary Baker Patterson of invalidism. It was she, as Mary Baker Eddy, who later decided that mind-healing had a divine basis and founded the Church of Christ, Scientist."

In 1862, Mrs. Eddy (then Mrs. Patterson) visited Mr. Quimby, a magnetic practitioner, at his institution in Portland, Maine. In "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 378) Mrs. Eddy states that although his treatment at first seemed to relieve her, it "signally failed" to heal her.

In 1866, when Mr. Quimby had passed on, Mrs. Eddy, while seeking comfort from the Bible, was instantaneously healed of the effects of an accident, which it was thought would result fatally. As Newton perceived in the falling apple the manifestation of some material law, so Mrs. Eddy realized that her healing was not brought about by deviation from but in conformity with spiritual law. For three years she sought the understanding of spiritual healing in the Holy Bible. Therein she discovered that God, Spirit, is infinite Mind and that matter is therefore unreal. She further discovered that the human mind causes disease and the divine Mind heals. She named her discovery Christian Science.

Christian Science has nothing to do with medicine, superstition, blind faith, or mesmerism.

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