The Mary Baker Eddy Library

NEW: Find out what led a medical pioneer to explore Christian Science for herself—and the impact it made—in our latest “From the Papers” article.

Dr. M. Augusta Fairchild (1834–1923) applied the teachings of Christian Science to several serious health conditions and reported to Mary Baker Eddy that her patient was well in less than two weeks.

Read the article to find out how this physician found answers to the physical and spiritual challenges of her time.

https://www.marybakereddylibrary.org/research/from-the-papers-dr-m-augusta-fairchild-corresponds-with-mary-baker-eddy/

📷©: M. Augusta Fairchild to Mary Baker Eddy, May 18, 1885, 667A.72.014.

Now do let your light shine and be among the faithful … keep peace, and remember these are they whose lives are lights to the world.
-Mary Baker Eddy to Frank and Harriet Mason, June 1, 1890, L13099



📷©: Elena Popova / Moment / Getty Images

Did you know the first Christian Science Reading Room opened in Boston in 1888? Since then, Reading Rooms in Boston and around the world have served their communities as dedicated spaces for spiritual growth.

Want to dive into the history of Reading Rooms? Check out our Ask a Researcher article, “Christian Science Reading Rooms 1887–1910.”

Read more: http://marybakereddylibrary.org/research/the-history-of-christian-science-reading-rooms?cmpid=FB

📷©: Hotel Boylston, undated. Photo by Herbert L. Dunbar. P04159.

NEW: Many of you engaged on a recent post about Mary Baker Eddy’s visit to Charles Guiteau, the assassin of President Garfield. We have a new article that includes more information on Eddy’s interaction with Guiteau in prison and what she was doing in Washington D.C. at the time. How did she manage to see Guiteau? Find out more in this latest “Ask a researcher” article: https://www.marybakereddylibrary.org/research/mary-baker-eddys-visit-to-president-garfields-assassin/

📷©: Portrait of Guiteau, assassin of President Garfield, taken in jail in Washington, D.C., Feb. 6, 1882. C.M. Bell. Courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, LC-DIG-ds-07197. Sketch of District of Columbia Jail, November 12, 1893. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"When thought dwells in God, — and it should not, to our consciousness, dwell elsewhere, — one must benefit those who hold a place in one’s memory, whether it be friend or foe, and each share the benefit of that radiation."
-Mary Baker Eddy

📷©: wenbin / Moment / Getty Images

Not all of us can be as photogenic as Calvin Frye while doing spring cleaning chores! Enjoy this fun photo of Frye who clearly did more jobs than just serving as Mary Baker Eddy’s secretary. Don’t you love that he is still dressed in a suit and tie for this household task? 🪟👔

📷©: Calvin Frye working on the Chestnut Hill deck, circa 1910. A. R. Rathvon. P00755.

Have Christian Science churches ever had choirs? Do they have them today? Our research team often answers these questions. Find out the historical background 🎶

Learn more at https://www.marybakereddylibrary.org/research/have-christian-science-churches-ever-had-choirs/

📷©: CSA-Printstock / DigitalVision / Getty Images

NEW: Did you know that a typewriter initially cost twice as much as a horse-drawn carriage?! As the invention took hold in 19th century communication, learn about the role it played in Mary Baker Eddy’s household, from the typing of manuscripts to correspondence.

❓Have you ever owned a typewriter? Let us know in the comments.

Read more at https://www.marybakereddylibrary.org/research/from-the-papers-it-will-never-do-to-be-behind-the-times/

📷©: Portrait of Calvin Frye, American Press Association, P00752. Eddy to Joshua A. Bailey, 12 Dec.1888, L10689. Bradley, Garretson & Co. to Mary Baker Eddy, Sept. 3, 1886, 944.92.009.

Mary Baker Eddy prayed daily for world peace. And there’s a story behind this flag, which she received in 1907. She gifted it for safekeeping to her church.

This “peace flag” is currently displayed on the second floor wall of The Christian Science Publishing House in Boston. Representative of the hopefulness and enthusiasm that characterized many of the pre-World War I peace movements in America, the earliest peace flags date back to 1891.

In 1898 Eddy wrote: “I earnestly request that all true Christian Scientists in our land, or in foreign lands - whether taught by me personally or through my books -- will unite in prayer for peace: For the end of hostility and war among or between all nations, and religious sects,— for divine Love to make us one human family, to have one Father-Mother God, one Christ, whereof the Scriptures bear witness; and to demonstrate the divine Life, Truth, and Love– healing the sick, blessing our enemies, and all mankind.” (A10200)



📷©:Photos courtesy of Museum Textile Services

The oracular skies, the verdant earth — bird, brook, blossom, breeze, and balm — are richly fraught with divine reflection.
-Mary Baker Eddy

📷©: Beata Whitehead / Moment / Getty Images