The Life of Mary Baker G.Eddy and the History of Christian Science

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An Incomplete View of a Religious Leader - Rated
The back cover states, "[t]his controversial biography of the founder of the Christian Science church [Mary Baker Eddy] was serialized in McClure's Magazine in 1907-8 and published as a book the next year." The "Introduction" and "Afterword" were written by David Stouck, and the book is published by the University of Nebraska Press (Bison Books).

For years, people have credited the authorship of this book to Georgine Milmine and have acknowledged Willa Cather as a researcher. But, the "Introduction" claims that new light has been cast upon the authorship, and that the roles were actually reversed. During Cather's lifetime, the "Introduction" states, "Cather herself, however, denied any significant part in the Eddy biography." The "Introduction" does not disclose or surmise on what Cather's motives may actually have been for publicly denying authorship of the book.

On page 499 of the "Afterward" Mr. Stouck proclaims, "Early biographers of Mary Baker Eddy, such as Sibyl Wilbur and Lyman P. Powell essentially ignore the existence of the 'Milmine' volume." I differ with that opinion. Miss Wilbur's entire "Introduction" was devoted to addressing the presentation of Mrs. Eddy by the press of her time. Biographer Louise Smith talks about the McClure's series on page 122 of her book "Mary Baker Eddy: Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science." Robert Peel talks about Miss Milmine's choice of sources on page 271 of "Mary Baker Eddy: The Years of Authority", and this material expands on what Lyman P. Powell says on page 6 of "Mary Baker Eddy: A Life Size Portrait." I encourage the reading of what these other biographers had to say about this book. Mrs. Eddy, herself, wrote a reply to McClure's; it can be found on page 308 of her work "The First Church of Christ, Scientist and Miscellany."

On page 499 of the "Afterword", Mr. Stouck addresses the subject of "new evidence" which has come to light since the book was originally published. New evidence has indeed arisen, such as information about the custody of Mrs. Eddy's son George (see "An Important Historical Discovery" by Jewel Spangler Smaus on page 284, Vol. 101 of The Christian Science Journal). Yet, neither Mr. Stouck, nor Bison Books, have attempted any corrections through the additions of footnotes. This does not compare favorably to the Mary Baker Eddy Twentieth Century Biographers Series which does update manuscripts with new information. For instance, the "Publisher's Note" in "The Life of Mary Baker Eddy" by Sibyl Wilbur states, "In this as in earlier editions, textual changes have been made for the purpose of inducing greater factual accuracy. These changes are based on material pertaining to the life of Mary Baker Eddy which has come to light since the author finished her manuscript." No explanation is offered by Mr. Stouck why this "new evidence" has not been included into the book using footnotes.

On page xxv of the "Introduction", Mr. Stouck claims that "In most of the book Cather ... judges Mrs. Eddy and her religion according to the rational standards of scientific thought established by Descartes, Newton, and Locke." Chapter 13 talks about a court case against Asa Eddy and Edward Arens. The authors spend time discussing testimony in the case, which is eventually dropped by the prosecutor ("nol. pros." p. 258). But, in Chapter 23, the authors completely avoid mention of the testimony in the case of Josephine Woodbury versus Mrs. Eddy. Other biographers, such as Robert Peel, do spend time discussing the trial evidence--which is very favorable to Mrs. Eddy and very unfavorable to Mrs. Woodbury. The question is, why would an author discuss trial evidence in one instance and not in another? Is this inconsistency in the handling of the facts a "rational standard of scientific thought"? Clearly, trial material is not just new information which has arisen over the years. Other incomplete presentations include the "Next Friends" case (p. 457) and the handling of the deed of The Mother Church (p. 399). I find the account in Chapter XVII of the role played by Rev. James Henry Wiggin in editing "Science and Health" to be much less believable than the account given in "Mary Baker Eddy and Her Books" by William Dana Orcutt, who was Vice President and General Manager of the University Press.

The overall tone of the book is very negative towards Mrs. Eddy, and compliments are rare. For instance, the authors seem reluctant to even admit that Mrs. Eddy held any position of esteem in the community. Page 106 discusses Mrs. Eddy's participation in the Good Templars organization. It says, "She was often called upon to read, or to speak on matters under discussion, and was always ready to do so. Her remarks never failed to command attention...." Contrast that with page 33 of "Mary Baker Eddy: Christian Healer" by von Fettweis and Warneck which plainly states, "Mary soon became presiding officer of the women's branch of that temperance association." This sort of presentation takes place routinely, and is also typical of the portrait sketch of her father, Mark Baker.

Mrs. Eddy continued on with her writing after this book went to press, and quotations from "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" and the "Manual of The Mother Church" are not from the final editions. Consequently, this book does not provide a snapshot of the Christian Science religion as Mrs. Eddy left it upon her passing in December, 1910. Some important events, such as the founding of The Christian Science Monitor, take place after this book was published.

I do not recommend this book. But, if you do decide to read it, then I advise cross-examining the information very thoroughly against other sources in the Mary Baker Eddy Twentieth-Century Biographers Series, including Robert Peel's scholarly three volume biography set. Many of the works in this series, including Peel's, are available through Amazon.

Comedy of Error - Rated
Raised a Christian Scientist, I was never told about any of Mrs. Eddy's alleged shortcomings. While her legacy remains a wonderful healing principle, her actual time on this planet seems to have been a burlesque of self-generated pain and suffering.

Anyone who wants to know more about Christian Sciece should read this book.