I have read several chapters of Historical Sketches by Clifford Smith now. I enjoy his clear, no-nonsense style. The writing is tidy and economical, and he always presents a well-balanced argument. At all times, the tone is measured and quiet. It never becomes forceful or even mildly hysterical in a bid to be persuasive.
The chapter on Mrs Eddy’s Transitional Years, Chapter 6, p 43, was particularly well set-out and argued in relation to the influence that Phineas Quimby had on Mrs Eddy and her discovery of Christian Science. I very much appreciated the presentation of the letters of other students of Mr Quimby, which Smith included to show convincingly that Mrs Eddy did not acquire Christian Science from Quimby. (See bottom of page 47 to page 50).
After setting out all the evidence, Smith concludes: “In fact, all that she could have got from (Quimby), even in the general direction of Christian Science, were a few useful words and additional proof that health depends on mental conditions and is subject to mental conditions. Her experience with him was a factor in her approach to Christian Science only as her experience with homeopathy had been.”
He continues later: “Christian Science consistently and completely distinguishes between that which can be attributed to God, the divine Mind, the infinite Soul or Spirit, and that which cannot pass this test. Thus, as regards its mental practice and its opposite, Mrs Eddy has said: ‘The basis of malpractice is in erring human will, and this will is an outcome of what I call mortal mind, - a false and mortal sense of Truth, Life, and Love…….’ In short, Mr Quimby had not even a glimmer of that which is distinctive in Christian Science. ”
As I read the chapter, it occurred to me that Mrs Eddy’s chapter Animal Magnetism Unmasked in her textbook Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures may have been primarily informed by her association with Mr Quimby and her ensuing clarity on what Christian Science was NOT.
A very useful read.
Marie Fox
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