Mary Baker Eddy and the
Founding of Christian Science
Christian Science -- healing as Christ Jesus healed -- was discovered by Mary Baker Eddy
in 1866. Eleven years later she described this discovery in Science and
Health with Key to the Scriptures, the textbook of our faith.
Christian Science is Christian because it draws its authority
squarely from the Bible, especially in the life and teachings of Christ Jesus.
It is Science because it has provable, repeatable results as demonstrated in the
daily lives of people all over the world for more than 130 years, bringing
healing and regeneration.
Mrs. Eddy was born in Bow, New
Hampshire, in 1821. While much of her early life was spent in
ill health, through her Puritan values and daily Bible reading, she was healed
in 1866 of a serious injury as she read
the account of one of Jesus' healings in the New Testament. This led her to
discovery of the Science of Christianity, which she
named Christian Science.
In 1875 Mrs. Eddy first wrote and published Science and Health,
which today is available in 17 languages and Braille, and in audio cassette, CD,
and computerized form. More than 10 million copies have been sold and it remains a
best-seller each year. In 1992, the Women's National Book Association named
Science and Health as one of 75 books by women "whose words have changed
the world." She also wrote and published several other books on Christian
Science which have been translated into several languages.
In 1879, Mrs. Eddy established the Church of Christ,
Scientist, and subsequently founded its various
periodicals and activities. In 1895, she published the first edition of the
Manual of The Mother Church. One of her last and greatest accomplishments
was founding The Christian Science Monitor in 1908 -- her 88th year -- a newspaper respected around
the world for its editorial integrity and news insight.
Before Mrs. Eddy passed away in 1910, the religion she established
had spread around much of the world, and she had become one of the most
recognized public figures in America. In 1995, she was elected to the National
Women's Hall of Fame for leaving "an indelible mark on society, religion and
journalism."
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