“…at other times she was ‘Mary.’”
/1. What I love to share with others about this book, We Knew Mary Baker Eddy, Vol. II was Mary Baker Eddy’s capacity to love, to express Love. She was continually providing spiritual instruction. Her patience, mentoring and forgiveness were extraordinary and appeared unbounded.
Another aspect to share was her humanity. Most of the times she was the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, our Leader; at other times she was “Mary.”
This is so helpful and hopeful! Rather than condemning myself for the “me” moments I can recognize them for what they are… a belief in a material me: Then I can go forward discovering and expressing my spiritual identity. I can “learn what watching means.” (p. 129)
2. I was overwhelmed by Mrs. Eddy’s capacity to love, “her leadership of Love.” (p. 159) To be able to praise or rebuke, without it being attached to a person, because you loved them and wanted them to grow in their spiritual understanding and to serve the Cause of Christian Science touched me deeply, in a way I find difficult to put into words.
Every time Mary Baker Eddy addressed her household in regard to their duty and their responsibility to protect and prosper this Cause, I felt like she was talking to me. I felt the love…and the rebuke. So yes, I am looking at my life and how it must change. The need to unself and the primary need—the necessity to heal.
There would not be Christian Science as we know it today if it were not for those early workers. We owe them immense appreciation and gratitude for their willingness, dedication and commitment to protect Mrs. Eddy and honor her leadership. What am I doing? What is my Church family doing? I love the concept given to the Rathvons, “what we were doing was not sacrifice, but offering.”(p. 526) “An offering pure of Love, whereto God leadeth me” (Hymn 253)
Mary Baker Eddy’s leadership continues because of her writings, especially Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures and the Church Manual. Her leadership is expressed in all that she established, The Mother Church and its branches, The Christian Science Journal, Christian Science Sentinel, and The Christian Science Monitor.
Mary Baker Eddy’s leadership continues as we each are not “made to forget nor to neglect his duty to God, to his Leader, and to mankind.” (Man. p. 42)
In many ways this message was declared, “The Cause of Christian Science has been established entirely upon healing.” (p. 295) Mary Baker Eddy’s leadership continues as we continue to heal.