While Mrs. Eddy was personally present, her followers inevitably felt the humility that comes with one's realizing that one's own interpretation of a particular truth could be corrected or improved upon by a word of instruction from the revelator herself. The presence of the Leader evoked meekness among her followers. And through this meekness the light of Truth shone. Great progress was the result.
The early history of the Christian Science movement is one of tremendous growth. In 1906 the Springfield Republican commented on the growth of Christian Science as follows: "It is but a few years ago that the astonishing revelation was made that since 1890 its following had increased from an insignificant number to hundreds of thousands, a rate at which every other sect in the country would soon be left behind" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany by Mrs. Eddy, p. 92).
I have been told that at the time that there was only one Church of Christ, Scientist, in my native city, healings took place at every service. In order to get a seat at a Wednesday evening testimony meeting, one had to go two hours ahead of time.
