“Time to get on with sharing Christian Science more widely.”

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1. What did you find in the book that you would particularly like to pass along to fellow Scientists or family members or even those who know little of Christian Science?

The book mentioned how Mrs. Eddy was either “demonized or deified” the former being grossly unfair and the latter being detrimental to progress. We must strive to understand her as she really was. We need to share the wonder of her human life.

 2. Describe what you yourself felt from reading the book. Did it raise questions about how your own life could change during this crucial time in order to bring your best to serve this Cause? What can we learn from the sacrifices of the early workers and their obedience to Mrs. Eddy’s leadership? How does this leadership continue into the second century of Christian Science. 

I was a bit taken aback at her statement that Christian Science was the final and thus last revelation that mankind would be given.  I’ve been pondering that.  At first I must admit that my first reaction was that it sounded a bit egomaniacal and I though “ooh, I’ll never mention that to a non-Scientist.”  But after pondering it I’ve found it a source of fresh inspiration.  How wonderful that we are living in the post-CS-Discovery era.  How fortunate for us and all mankind.  Time to get on with sharing it more widely.

“Grateful for tough lessons, difficult, unsought experiences which turned me without reservation to God, good.”

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What I felt from reading the book was deep gratitude for the persistence of Mrs. Eddy, no matter how much resistance she faced, and for the loyal efforts of these early workers to follow what she was teaching, to follow the Christ-example, to learn the lessons of self-abnegation, surrender to the Christ, trust in divine Love.
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“I was struck by the WORK ethic by everyone in her household staff”

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Reading We Knew Mary Baker Eddy vol. II for the first time, I was struck by the WORK ethic given by everyone in her household staff.  Emma Estes’s reminiscent “Our daily faithfulness to its teachings must prove our sincerity” (p. 106) sums up the need to watch what we are accepting as true on a moment-to-moment basis. 

Another thought that stood out was Lida Fitzpatrick’s, “You do not have to delve into matter, the body, to know how things are; Spirit shows us all things as they are.”  And along a similar line, Anna White Baker recalls Mrs. Eddy’s instruction to “put physical ailments in the mental…and do not fear the physical.” (p. 316)

I also thought that the advice to “read and silently correct all periodicals helps to improve them and is our duty” was something we can all practice in regard to church work in general - to SILENTLY correct in our own thought whatever needs adjustment!  And yes, to just LOVE more!

“by taking these workers’ example and the above list to heart daily”

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I was so humbled by the total commitment, consecration to the Cause of Christian Science by these workers and their ability to handle animal magnetism and therefore be a help to our Leader and to be of help because of their obedience to the teachings of Christian Science and their unselfish love and gratitude. This is a very high goal, but a totally worthy one, for me to press towards.
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“The early workers’ sacrifice and obedience were astounding.”

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The book, We Knew Mary Baker Eddy, vol. II with its honesty and clarity, was stunning. While I have always been grateful to Mrs. Eddy and the early Christian Science workers for all the hardships they encountered and overcame, I really had no idea of how difficult their challenges were. The hatred and danger that Mrs. Eddy encountered were shocking to me. I now have a much deeper appreciation for her wisdom, courage, perseverance and inspiration to protect and share the great gift of Christian Science with the world.
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“the sweet and steady and certain joy of spiritual growth”

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A week before receiving the assignment for 2014, I finished reading We Knew Mary Baker Eddy vol. II. The last three reminiscences had particularly caught my thought that time around - those of Dickey, Still, and Rathvon. In particular, I loved “sitting” with each of them and learning of the day to day with Mary Baker Eddy. Rathvon’s writing had a warm, loving, steadiness to it and even a playfulness that I particularly appreciated. In many ways it made Mary Baker Eddy so much more real to me as I read how she lived the lessons she learned in Christian Science. The work she and these students did required such focus and courage and unselfing, but it is doable by each of us.
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"Materiality is no longer the dominant influence"

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1. What did you find in the book that would…?

In what can appear to be a “busy” world, I gained some useful pointers on “process vs. product” that help me refocus on living in the present.

On page 155 of We Knew Mary Baker Eddy, vol. II, Joseph Mann said, “…On this same basis Mrs. Eddy rejoiced not so much in whatever was accomplished as in the manner of its accomplishment.”

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“Beauty, order, and grandeur”

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I really enjoyed reading We Knew Mary Baker Eddy, Volume II, Expanded Edition.

As I read the accounts, what caught my attention were the examples of “beauty, order, and grandeur.” (Hymn 329) For example, the description by Joseph C. Mann about going to Pleasant View and being asked by Mrs. Eddy to be superintendent of the property, e.g., see to the upkeep and maintenance of the grounds, farm and garden duties, care of the horses, and any additional improvements Mrs. Eddy might request.

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