The Healing Revelations of Mary Baker Eddy: The Rise and Fall of Christian Science

About this book

A new critical assessment of Mary Baker Eddy and the international movement she spawned is long overdue. Of the hundreds of books written about Mary Baker Eddy and Christian Science almost all have been by believers. With the notable exception of Mark Twains Christian Science the small number penned by skeptics have long since gone out of print. Martin Gardner noted for his work in science mathematics philosophy and literature had intended to write a short essay about Mrs. Eddy but became so fascinated by her life and personality that his work grew to book length. Written with humor insight and a wealth of fantastic detail The Healing Revelations of Mary Baker Eddy will delight skeptics and infuriate true believers. Learn about the granite replica of the Great Pyramid of Egypt that was erected on the site of Mrs. Eddys birthplace only to be mysteriously dynamited years later. Read about Mrs. Woodbury who was on her way to becoming Mrs. Eddys rival until Woodbury announced her "immaculate conception" of a child which she named the Prince of Peace. Discover how Mrs. Stetson once Mrs. Eddys beloved pupil was excommunicated when her Christian Science church in Manhattan began to outshine the Mother Church in Boston. While Mrs. Eddy foretold the coming of a millennium in which all persons would be Christian Scientists and healthy Gardner shows her to be a power-hungry individual whose life included spiritualism a morphine addiction frequent hysterical rages and accusations of the use of "malicious animal magnetism" against herself and her followers as well as litigation against her critics and persecution of those she regarded as disloyal. Martin Gardner exposes the plagiarism that occurs in the writings of Mary Baker Eddy including the early editions of Science and Health which were so filled with errors of grammar punctuation and spelling as well as attacks on fancied enemies that the church has done everything in its power to prevent reprintings. Later editions were edited and polished by skillful writers notably James Henry Wiggin who thought the book was "balderdash." Recent scandal financial woes the resignation of top officials and editors of church publications and the tragic deaths of Christian Science children denied medical aid by their parents have all contributed to the rapid decline of church membership. Mr. Gardners final chapter places Christian Science within the context of New Thought a movement that anticipated all the elements of todays New Age. He focuses on the life of New Thought poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox now forgotten but once our nations most loved versifier. She was in Gardners opinion the Shirley MacLaine of her time.