Ask a Researcher
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 the history of asking for “testimonies by Christian Scientists” at Thanksgiving services?
An answer to why testimonies for the Thanksgiving service specify “by members of the congregation.”
Why did Mary Baker Eddy ask the members of her Church to pray for a peaceful resolution to the Russo-Japanese War?
While we don’t have a definitive answer from Eddy herself, we can provide some context. Her request is dated June 13, 1905. She wrote, “I request that every member of The Mother Church in Boston pray each day for the amicable settlement of the war between Russia and...
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,...
Did Mary Baker Eddy ever mention Hugo or Tolstoy?
She communicated with one of the authors on several occasions.
What is the history of missionaries in Christian Science?
Read about this activity from the early church movement.
Did Mary Baker Eddy write it? Authenticating “The Frozen River”
We’ve received many questions concerning this legend.
Did Mary Baker Eddy write it? The authorship of “Place”
Here’s what we know and what we don’t.
What is the history of the name “Committee on Publication”?
Read about how its use evolved.
