A remarkable friendship

The story of getting Science and Health printed on 'Bible paper' is most interesting.

Orcutt quotes Mrs. Eddy as saying 'It has always been my desire and expectation that my book should encourage more and more people to read the Bible. Through sharing the revelation of the spiritual meaning of the Bible which has come to me, Christian Scientists recognize the messages more clearly, and understand better what these messages mean to them' (pp. 61-62, Mary Baker Eddy and Her Books).

It was in this spirit then, that she remarked that '[m]any have suggested the desirability of having the Bible and Science and Health more similar in physical appearance as an aid
in using them together. It would gratify them very much to be able to secure copies of Science and Health on similar paper, and it would gratify me very much to gratify them' (ibid, p. 62).

The pathway, however, was fraught with difficulties, the first of which was the lack of suitable paper.
Finding just the right weight and quality of paper came in a circuitous manner. Orcutt relates that in 1890, 'Edward P. Bates, an ardent Christian Scientist...had his attention called to a copy of the Oxford Bible, printed on a paper quite different from anything he had ever before seen' (p. 63).

In 1841, an Oxford student had brought home from China a 'small quantity of remarkably thin paper, which was stronger and more opaque for its substance than any paper at that time manufactured in Europe' (ibid). With this paper, Oxford University Press produced 'twenty-four copies of a tiny Bible, bearing the date 1842...[which were] presented to Queen Victoria and ...other personages' (ibid). The printers tried in vain to secure similar paper, with the result that the project was forgotten for over thirty years.

In 1874, the idea was resurrected. 'After years of experimentation, success was achieved, and a facsimile of the tiny Bible printed in 1842 was produced' (pp. 63-64), the splendid result being that 250,000 copies were sold!

It was this Bible that Mr. Bates had seen. However, Oxford University Press refused to sell this paper, until, four years later, 'enough of the paper was purchased to print fifty copies of the textbook' (p. 64). And so, 'in May, 1874, the records...show [that] an experimental run was made as a part of the eighty-fourth edition' (ibid).

But grave difficulties beset the printers. The paper was very difficult to print with. Orcutt notes that the 'fifty copies which constituted the experimental run showed varying degrees of register and color' (p. 65).

In addition, securing more of the special paper remained impossible until, finally, Oxford University Press 'had been made to realize how much the circulation of Science and Health was doing to stimulate the demand for Bibles. They reversed their earlier decision, and finally entered into arrangements with The Christian Science Publishing Society to supply them, and them alone, with this Oxford India paper' (ibid).

Orcutt's extreme concern for not wasting Mrs. Eddy's time is touching. He shares that he 'made a point of limiting [himself] in [their] discussion, as [he] was having opportunity to witness more and more closely the tremendous demand upon Mrs. Eddy's time' (p. 76). In response to Orcutt's voiced concern about taking up her time, she responded: 'You must not feel that. If I could not spare the time I would have told you. You are giving, I am receiving' (ibid).

The relationship was mutually beneficial.

Julie Swannell