In 1870s America, a woman's prospects for a purposeful career outside her home were slim. But for Julia Bartlett, prospects for life itself looked bleak.
At sixteen, the eldest of six children, Bartlett had lost both of her parents to illness. Later she became sick, and remained an invalid for the next seven years. In her reminiscences, Bartlett recalled having the best care that doctors could provide, but without improvement. She told friends that she was "waiting to find something beside material remedies that would heal." From the reminiscences of Julia S. Bartlett, The Mary Baker Eddy Collection, The Mary Baker Eddy Library for the Betterment of Humanity . She believed "there was a truth beyond what I knew or had been able to find, and more and more there was a longing and reaching out for it, trying to find it." lbid .
In 1880, through a friend, Bartlett learned of Christian Science and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy—and the system of Christian healing outlined in the book. Bartlett sent for a copy. She also began receiving prayer-based treatment from Asa Gilbert Eddy, the author's husband and the first person to advertise as a "Christian Scientist." The Eddys lived in Boston; Bartlett lived near Hartford, Connecticut.
