A further attack has been...

with contributions from Robert E. Key

Muswell Hill Record

Lt. Col. Robert E. Key
District Manager of Committee on Publication for Great Britain and Ireland Muswell Hill Record, London, England

A further attack has been launched by a clergyman against Christian Science and its Discoverer and Founder. Mary Baker Eddy.

It is not true to state that the object of the authorized biographies of Mrs. Eddy is "to start a modern myth." These biographies are based on the true facts of Mrs. Eddy's life and on statements given by those who knew her personally. The evidence of her friends and fellow citizens, many of whom are still with us, is swept away as of no account by our critic, who evidently prefers to believe the testimony of her bitterest enemies.

The object of an attack on Mrs. Eddy is obvious. If the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science could be proved to be an unworthy witness, then the teaching of Christian Science might be discredited. In spite of every attempt to disprove the character, motives, and work of Mary Baker Eddy, this colossal character grows in stature as the years advance.

While Mrs. Eddy was with us attempts were frequently made to discredit her work and malign her character. The one mentioned by the clergyman, in which Mrs. Eddy's son at the instigation of a New York newspaper, brought an action in which he contended that his mother was not able to take charge of her own affairs, did not end as our critic asserts. It ended in the complete breakdown of the charges made and the humiliating capitulation of those who brought this malicious and discreditable case.

The publication of the Christian Science textbook. "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, comes in for a special volley of vituperation from the clergyman's facile pen. Mrs. Eddy copyrighted her works and drew her royalties; therefore she is charged with selfishness and avarice. Such an objection from a literary man, as our critic appears to be, is obviously prejudiced and absurd. The publication of Science and Health in many editions is severely criticized by him. This was obviously done because Mrs. Eddy found it desirable to revise the text, not because she wished to make money out of the sale of new editions, but to bring out clearer statements of Christian Science as the truth was revealed to her. Her fortune was used in the interests of her fellow citizens and for the benefit of her church. She lived simply, as any visitor to her home at Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, can testify.

There is nothing in the life of Mary Baker Eddy which need be hid from the public view when the facts are known and the evidence is sifted.

Referring to the remarks of a coroner during an inquest on a Christian Science case, I would remind our critic that millions pass on under the devoted attention of medical practitioners, but blame is seldom laid at their door for the failure. The healing work done through Christian Science is known the world over, and it is not blind faith or ignorance which accomplishes these results, but a demonstrable understanding of God's perfect, irrefutable laws, and of man's relationship to God.

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