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Answers to questions our research team has received.
Was grace said before meals in Mary Baker Eddy’s household?
We have found some information on this topic in reminiscences written by members of her household. At Chestnut Hill, where Eddy lived from 1908-1910, there was no established procedure for saying grace before meals. Sometimes Eddy would pass the word not to have any...
Is it true that Mary Baker Eddy did not write a portion of a letter to church members? Isn’t that plagiarism?
A question from our inbox…
What’s some background on the Thanksgiving services?
Find out why the testimonies given are specified as “by members of the congregation.”
When did the profession of Christian Science practitioner begin?
Those engaged in the full-time practice of Christian Science healing can be found in the first issue of the Journal in 1883. However, even before then, in 1877…
Does Mary Baker Eddy ever make a statement comparing personal and impersonal love?
This statement appears in the reminiscence of Emma Shipman: After she had talked about the great need of love in everything we do, a pupil asked, ‘Do you mean love of person?’ Mrs. Eddy replied, in substance, ‘No, I mean love of good.’ Then she was asked, ‘How shall...
Did Mary Baker Eddy free her first husband’s slaves?
This is a difficult question to answer…
What is the history of Christian Science in Nigeria?
This was research question we received. Here’s what we found: The first informal group of Christian Scientists was not formed in Nigeria until 1946…
Displaying the American Flag in The Mother Church
There is only one instance in which an American flag has been displayed in The Mother Church. This was on a Sunday in June 1908. The Christian Science Board of Directors had written to Mary Baker Eddy on June 9,The Christian Science Board of Directors to Mary...
What is the History of Announcing Bible Verses for each Section of the Christian Science Bible Lesson?
The original directive for announcing books of the Bible in church services comes from an article titled "Church and School."Mary Baker Eddy, "Church and School," The Christian Science Journal, April 1895,...
The Background to the Platform of Christian Science
The platform of Christian Science is found on pages 330-340 of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, and forms the basis for Normal class instruction—the course taught to train teachers of Christian Science. It was first mentioned in 1877, in the minutes of...
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.