FOR Christian Science to fulfill its divine purpose, it must become known to mankind; for its purpose is fulfilled to the extent that human thought is brought or kept in accord with divine Principle. This Science, therefore, had to be discovered effectively by a person who could both comprehend it clearly for herself and communicate it correctly to other people. So it was providential that Mary Baker Eddy could and did exert and develop both of these powers. Explanatory facts have been briefly related in prior articles of this series, but more attention has been given to the first of these powers than to the second, and there are other interesting facts which help to explain Mrs. Eddy's exceptional power to express spiritual verities.
At the age of seven, Mary Baker aspired to write a book, and resolved that she would. After a few years, she confided this intention to her brother, Albert Baker, who promised to help her become a writer. This he endeavored to do, as opportunities occurred, and he was a fluent speaker as well as a capable writer. Long after she had issued a book of exceeding importance to mankind, and after she had become famous for connected reasons, Mrs. Eddy counted her early intention to write a book as one among a few of the most determinative facts of her entire history.
In her youth, two of Mary Baker's teacher? were especially helpful to her in a literary way. They were Professor Dyer H. Sanborn, author of Sanborn's Grammar, and Miss Sarah J. Bodwell, principal of the Sanbornton Academy. Miss Bodwell gave particular attention to Mary Baker's literary development, and once encouraged her by saying, "You will some day be a distinguished author." This attention and prediction Mrs. Eddy remembered gratefully in her last years.
