It is recorded by Lyman P. Powell in his book entitled "Mary Baker Eddy" that a celebrated journalist who had just returned from China, after an interview with Mrs. Eddy, marveled at her intimate and comprehensive knowledge of its social, political, and economic conditions. Others also, visiting Mrs. Eddy, were astonished at her grasp of world affairs, and were greatly impressed with her untiring efforts to bring England and America together in closer bonds.
But what was it that enabled the Leader of the Christian Science movement to become such a mighty influence for good in universal consciousness? Daily she prayed for the whole world. Thus, how natural that her thought should become so illumined with spiritual vision that she should discern the course of world events and have foresight of whatever affected the destiny of the race! She felt the throbbing pulse of the nations and discerned the world's great needs. Going against the aggressive suggestions of mortality, she walked through the mental avenues of mankind with compassionate understanding, and revealed the scientific way to benefit and lead on humanity through prayer and the power of demonstration. In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 193) she writes to a branch church in California, "The privilege remains mine to watch and work for all, from East to West, from the greensward and gorgeous skies of the Orient to your dazzling glory in the Occident, and to thank God forever 'for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men.'"
Again Mrs. Eddy states (ibid., p. 147): "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." Here is revealed the magnitude of Mrs. Eddy's concept of prayer in its universal application, in the way of awakening and arousing world consciousness from the slumbering dreams of materialism to the spiritual idea of Life. Well did she know that such awakening would overthrow humanity's belief in evil and disarm the anti-Christ until the earth should be transformed through spiritual understanding.
