More than eighty years ago—when the horizon of many African people extended not much further than their villages and was limited by the illusions of many gods—sickness, sin, suffering, inhumanity, death—the universal love of one great woman inspired her to write, "From the interior of Africa to the utmost parts of the earth, the sick and the heavenly homesick or hungry hearts are calling on me for help, and I am helping them." ^{The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 147;} What must have motivated such unspeakable love?

Who is this woman?

A native of New Hampshire, United States of America, born on July 16, 1821, Mary Baker Eddy expressed a receptive purity of thought and a keen interest in spiritual learning. Her discovery in 1866 of what is known as Christian Science was something God had prepared her for.

One evening when Mrs. Eddy was on her way to attend a meeting of a local temperance society, she slipped on the ice and was thrown violently to the ground. The evidence of injury was extremely grave. Medicine and man-made theology had no help to give. Her extremity became God's opportunity. She was healed by glimpsing God's spiritual law of perfection.

What was her mission?

While our Master, Christ Jesus, had taught and proved the fatherhood of God and His love for man, Mrs. Eddy's mission was to discover and establish on earth the Science of Christianity, including the motherhood of God, Love. This message rebukes every appearance of evil and demonstrates scientific power.

What did she do?

"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away," ^{Mark 13:31;} said Jesus. The Word of God is eternal—forever. The struggle for freedom from the belief of evil is not easy. Even the Master had to struggle with temptation in the wilderness before his victory.

At the appointed time for the revelation, Mrs. Eddy was ready and receptive, and her understanding was opened. She caught the spirit of Christian Science. The message of Christian Science was brought to the world. Though all the supposed powers of evil seemed to be secretly and openly conspiring against this revelation, it was protected by the Father from whom it had come. As for Mrs. Eddy, she stood firm in reliance on God.

What is the result of the revelation?

The revelation she received teaches mankind how to understand and worship God. As Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mrs. Eddy provides in her writings support and encouragement for the learner by awakening his thought to the spiritual understanding of the presence of God. Christian Science is essentially spiritual, subject to the laws and government of God, the divine Mind.

Many of us in West Africa, born and educated in diverse superstitions and beliefs, and having endured hardships due to ignorance, have long struggled to be free from disease and sin. But it was not until Mrs. Eddy's great discovery reached us that we started to look up in hope and freedom. Many of those who, in a time of need, had read her book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, and had been healed of various diseases, felt they knew her well. Some had found a new way of life—release not only from pain but from sin and grief. Mrs. Eddy limited her public appearances, in part to prevent a flattering admiration or a worshipful attitude on the part of the members of her Church. Her intention was to build a strong church government that would function without requiring her personal presence. Always she tried to follow God's way—not Mary's.

How did Mrs. Eddy regard the Bible?

It is sometimes thought that Christian Scientists ignore the Bible or that they have a Bible of their own. Far from being ignored, the Bible is fundamental in the study of Christian Science and is constantly used and referred to by every sincere student. Mrs. Eddy writes: "Christian Scientists are fishers of men. The Bible is our sea-beaten rock. It guides the fishermen. It stands the storm. It engages the attention and enriches the being of all men." ^{Miscellany, p. 295;}

The blessings of Christian Science in Africa are growing. Many persons have been saved from the grave, and freedom from numerous human discords has been won. Groups, societies, and even churches have been formed and established. We know Christian Science as we learn it from Mrs. Eddy's writings, and we are honest only as we give her full credit for revealing it to us.

It is interesting to note what Mrs. Eddy says about herself and where to find her. "Should I give myself the pleasant pastime of seeing your personal self, or give you the opportunity of seeing mine," she wrote to a clergyman, "you would not see me thus, for I am not there. I have risen to look and wait and watch and pray for the spirit of Truth that leadeth away from person—from body to Soul, even to the true image and likeness of God." In the same paragraph she continues, "Those who look for me in person, or elsewhere than in my writings, lose me instead of find me. I hope and trust that you and I may meet in truth and know each other there, and know as we are known of God." ^{ibid., pp. 119-120.}

How do we find her?

In Revelation 1:3 St. John says, "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." Merely being a Christian Scientist, a member of The Mother Church, and class taught in Christian Science is not sufficient if one does not pay heed to the words of Truth. One is a Christian Scientist only when he regularly reads, studies, and imbibes the meanings of the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings. This in turn enables him to progress in the understanding and demonstration of the Principle of Christian Science. It is in this understanding and demonstration that our Leader can be found.

How can we get to know Mrs. Eddy better?

Because I find her in her writings, I have been able to progress in the understanding and demonstration of the Principle of Christian Science, and this has brought blessing to me and many others.

Have you found her in her writings? How do you read her writings? Upside down—that is, from the standpoint of material sense? Just for reading's sake, or as the revelation of Truth?

We understand God only as we learn that good, not evil, lasts and is eternal, immortal. Immortality exists only in spiritual perfection; therefore, let us drop our false sense of life. The harvest hour has come. We should sing songs of gratitude for our beloved Leader, whose gift of love is ours forever.