This is a transcription of the Rev. Mary (Baker) Eddy biography from New Hampshire Women: A Collection of Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Daughters and Residents of the Granite State, Who are Worthy Representatives of their Sex in the Various Walks and Conditions of Life, The New Hampshire Publishing Co., Concord, NH, 1895, page 99.
Rev. Mary (Baker) Eddy
THE REVEREND MARY BAKER EDDY, discoverer and founder of Christian Science, was the daughter of Mark and Abigail B. Baker. Attending the old Academy at Sanbornton, at sixteen years of age she began a successful literary career. Her “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” is the text-book of Christian Science, now in its ninety-seventh edition. A distinguished LL. D. writes:—”The author of ‘Science and Health’ wields more power with her pen than any other writer at this period.” She is also the author of “Retrospection and Introspection,” “Pulpit and Press,” “Christ and Christmas,” “Unity of Good, “Rudimental Divine Science, “No and Yes,” “Christian Healing,” and other works. Mrs. Eddy’s system is based on the Scriptures, her life consecrated to God and humanity, rigidly eschewing whatever lures therefrom. Her interpretation of Scriptures being more spiritual than is common to the age, met with strenuous opposition, but she has maintained throughout an exalted Christian character, laboring only for the upbuilding of a full and perfect religion. As a practitioner, demonstrating her pathological system, she did marvellous cures. She began teaching Christian Science in 1867; in 1878 accepted a call to the Baptist Tabernacle Pulpit, Boston; in 1881 she opened and was president of the Massachusetts Metaphysical college, Boston; was founder and pastor of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston; founder and president of the first Christian Scientist Association; publisher of her own works; editor and proprietor of the Christian Science Journal. In 1889 she donated to the Boston Church a building lot worth $40,000. In 1895 this church has 5,000 members, and a magnificent edifice, a TESTIMONIAL to Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, costing over $250,000. She owns a mansion on Commonwealth Ave., Boston; in Roslindale a house and two acres handsomely ornamented; in Concord, N. H., “Pleasant View,” a house with thirty-six acres, overlooking her birthplace.