The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-11-04
BOU MRS. EDDY.
Interesting story Of the Head of the
Christian science Church.
Thursday night. October 18th. r,

Irving G. Tomlin5on, Of Concord, NJ
H, lectured on Christian Science and
its founder al symphony Hall in Bos-
ton. Mass. The magnificent auditorium
was crowded to overlooking. He aid In
part:
The holy purpose OF this religion
is clearly stated in those words which
the Master quoted from the Prophet
Isaiah. as the announcement of his mis-
sion. The Spirit Of the Lord God is up
on me, because He hath Amounted me
to preach the gospel 10 the poor; He
hath sent me TO heal the broken-heart-
ed, TO preach deliverance to the cap
tives and ecovery Of sight to the blind, |
and TO set ait liberty them that are
bruised
No doubt it's unparalleled develop
ment has occasioned the oft repeated
question, What are the reasons for the
marvellous growth Of Christian
Science?'
Those who are most co~nverSant with
this movement know that what is most
conspicuous in the cause and ii growth
is the wisdom, foresight, untiring devo-
ton and lofty Christian caracter of its
Leader. The opportunities afforded me
for a full and adequate estimate Of the
leader of this great movement have
been favorable. During the past four
years my residence has beer in Con-
cord, n. H, the home of Mrs. Eddy, |
and for more than three months at one
time ! was a member of her household. |
The New Hampshire histories contain
a review of Mrs. Eddy and her ances-
tors. From these accurate historical
works one may CLEAN much of interest
concerning her and her family. She was
born in Bow, near Concord, n. H.; she
comes from sturdy Scotch and English
ancestors. Captain John Locewell, the
n-@1,, - 49, T. /
the field destroyed the power of the
savages and made it possible for the |
early settlers of northern New England
to peacefully establish themselves, was
her ancestor. Her great-grandfather
was Captain Joseph Baker, who settled
in Pembroke about 1740. Captain
Baker was one of the foremost men CT
his section. He received his commits
sion from King George as captain of
the Colonial DOT Company. He was
a m of the Third Provincial Con- !
gress OF New Hampshire and active in
helping the Province to take its stand
for the new republic. His three sons,
one of them was Mrs. Eddy's grand
father, were all soldiers of the revo-
luton. Intellectually her family has al
ways stood high. Mrs. Eddy'S brother
Albert Baker, was a graduate of Dart
mouth college. He was an hOnored
membe of the New Hampshire bar, an
eminent debater, and a brilliant orator.
He was thrice elected to the legislature
of his native state and was rapidly
attaining a foremost position in those |
legislative halls, when he died at the
early age of 81. In the old church of
Pembroke, three of her ancestors were
its honored d~eacOnS. Her mothers
father was Deacon Nathaniel Ambrose,
and through his generosity and labors
there was furnished the North Congre-
gational church, which was known as
Deacon Ambrose's church," The his
torian also tells us that so largely was
the Baker family interested in founding
the Methodist church of that town,
that with propriety it n ht nave been
called the Baker meeting house. Thus
both sides of her family We're founders
of local churches. Mrs. Eddy'S parents
were devou members of the Congrega-
tional church, and her father was SUI
p~erintendent of the Sunday-School. Her
mother was a woman of rare Christian
virtue, ard the atmosphere of the house
was deVOutly religious. Mrs. Eddy is
richly endowed by nature and by grace
for her work. She possesses quick COM
prehension, a remarkably retentative
memoir deep spiritual insight, an IN
~quenchable lover for man and Il ~tireleSS
energy. He native gifts were supple
mented by special tutors and by care
full training ir the schools and acade-
mics of New Hampshire. She was
thoroughly taught by the we'll known
grammarian I'rof. Dyer H. Sanborn,
and received tareful attention from her
distinguished brother Albert. She a
a well established reputation for literal
ability, before her discovery of Chris
tan Science. In childhood she thought
IN rhythm, and versiication flowed
from her pen as readily as the torrents
from the mountain brooks. Her prose
and poetic compositions were eagerly
read, and some of her writings, pub
lished in a book OF poems ten years be-
fore her discovery of Christian Science
are now, found in our public libraries.
Her writings were much sought by
some of the leading magazines of the
country, and she declined an editorial
position offered by Mr.. Albert Case,
editor of the Odd Fellow magazine. at
an annual salary OF three thousand dol
lars.
Mrs. Eddy. from earliest childhood.
was deeply interested in the subject OF
religion. She was early baptized into
the church., and became an ardent
member. AS a child she listened eager
ly 10 discussions on religion between
: her father and the visiting Clergymen
who frequented their hospitable home.
When afflicted with a fever. her mother
turned her daughters thoughts to God
in prayer. Relief came through her
earnest petitions, II from that mo-
ment to the present hour the thought
Of God and His h~elpfulness to man has
constantly abided with her.
In 1856 Mrs. Eddy received an in
jury from a severe fall upon the ice
curbing which was pronounced beyond
all earthly help. In her dying hour. as
she supposed. she turned her thoughts
wholly 10 the divine Helper. a Won
derous illumination dawned upon her
eXpectant vision. Il she arose restored
to health and strength. She proved
the discovery TO be G~od-given by heal
ing the lame snd the blind and by rails