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Understanding Mary Baker Eddy in her ‘true light and life’

From the August 2019 issue of The Christian Science Journal


In 1893 Mary Baker Eddy wrote to Edward Kimball, one of her students: “For the world to understand me in my true light, and life, would do more for our Cause than aught else could” (October 15, 1893; L07433, The Mary Baker Eddy Library; © The Mary Baker Eddy Collection). I had often wondered what Mrs. Eddy actually meant by that statement. I could see that it was very important that I did understand, if it would do so much for the Cause, or purpose, of Christian Science—to free humanity from the limitations of materialism.

I attended a church meeting once where accounts were shared of how Mary Baker Eddy lived her life. These accounts were from her writings, reminiscences from those who knew her, and biographies about her. We discussed not so much what Mrs. Eddy achieved, but how she achieved it—through the spiritual qualities that she lived and through her spiritual understanding of God, which guided her in everything she did. 

Immediately after that meeting, I felt such a change in my thinking about my Christian Science healing practice. A thought came to me with great clarity: “Christian Science is the complete revelation of Truth.” This thought was not new to me, but it came with such clarity at that moment! I felt lighter, unburdened, and more certain that my prayers for myself and others were effective.

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