Ask a Researcher
Answers to questions our research team has received.
What is the background of the name “Church of Christ, Scientist”?
Mary Baker Eddy devoted much time and attention to naming the Church she founded.
What do the titles C.S., C.S.B., and C.S.D. signify?
Learn about designations in the practice and teaching of Christian Science.
What prompted the Church By-Law about illegal adoption?
Here’s the story leading up to Mary Baker Eddy’s instruction on illegal adoption in the “Manual of The Mother Church.”
What’s behind the marginal headings in Science and Health?
Mary Baker Eddy first considered using marginal headings in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures in 1889, and the 50th edition of the book (published in 1891) was the first to contain them.
How did the term “The Mother Church” come about?
The first documented use of this term is found in notes from March 5, 1889, taken by Joshua Bailey during one of Mary Baker Eddy’s classes in Christian Science healing.
Did Mary Baker Eddy care about the environment?
Read about her love for animals and nature—and her beliefs about the beauty of the natural world.
How did Mary Baker Eddy feel about animals?
So many people have a deep love for animals. Here’s what the discoverer of Christian Science had to say.
Were there ever film or audio recordings made of Mary Baker Eddy?
Unfortunately, none were. There is no discussion of film in her papers, so we have no information about why this was not done. However, one of her household workers, John Salchow, wrote in his reminiscence about Eddy being asked to have an audio recording made of her...
What was Eddy’s perspective on women’s rights?
Mary Baker Eddy made few statements about women's rights. But we do know that she valued the efforts of the suffrage movement of her day. In 1882 Eddy wrote her student Clara Choate, “Let us work as the industrious Suffragists are at work who are getting a hearing all...
Were African Americans involved in the early history of Christian Science?
The answer is yes. One noteworthy individual was Marietta Webb. Her first experience with Christian Science was in 1897, when she called a practitioner to help her young son, who was very ill. He was quickly and permanently healed, and she began attending services in...
What did Eddy say about reporting and treating contagious diseases?
Learn how she responded to public concerns on these issues.
Are Journal directories searchable online?
See how you can access publications dating back to 1883.
How were the members of the Bible Lesson Committee selected?
Here’s some background on a question we get asked.
How did Eddy face times of housing insecurity?
Read about several decades in which the founder of Christian Science prevailed in the struggle to keep a roof over her head.
Does Christian Science have a connection to Freemasonry?
Find out the impact this fraternal order had on Eddy’s life.
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