Mary's brother Albert

I dipped into Historical Sketches by choosing to read the chapter on Albert Baker, Mary’s brother. It is Chapter 3 in the book. I found Clifford P Smith's writing clear and economical, and it showed a keen insight into the relationship that Albert and Mary would have shared. Mary was closer to Albert than to her other siblings. Eleven years older than her, they both had exceptional intellectual talents. Smith describes him, along with their mother, as Mary’s closest family member.  

Albert Baker distinguished himself as a sharp, independent, and ethical thinker, a natural leader, and a gifted orator. His education at Dartmouth College and subsequent  mentorship with Franklin Pierce ably prepared him for a distinguished career in law and politics. Clifford Smith writes of this association with the future President of the United States thus: “This association had rather far-reaching influence: the polish and learning of Franklin Pierce and his protégé, Albert Baker, so impressed the latter’s little sister that she too became anxious for the advantages of an education”.  

Indeed Albert encouraged Mary to go to school whenever she was well enough, and tutored her whenever he was home on holidays. He thus had a profound influence on her education and awareness of the outside world. Clifford Smith writes:  "...she attributed her initial intellectual stimulus to the example and tutoring of her brother.” Albert recognised his sister's exceptional intellect and obviously held her in high regard. One time, Albert wrote to Mary encouraging her to associate with a new attendee at Sanbornton Academy, a Mr Harrison Andrews. He wrote: “He is a very close (strictly logical) student, and is as much given to discursive talking as yourself, though he has not quite so much poetry at his command…”  It would appear that by "discursive talking" Albert meant that Mary possessed the ability to proceed in her communications by reasoning and argument rather than intuition. It also would appear that her expression was always particularly poetic. Both of these talents emerge full-blown in her primary work, Science and health with Key to the Scriptures.  

Albert had a distinguished career in the New Hampshire legislature, and seemed poised to enter the United States Congress when he passed away at age 31. Many were the tributes to him for his public services, his love of good,  and his pursuit of “What is right?”, which "he would pursue fearless of the consequences.”  

An extraordinary statement concludes this chapter: “Only a month or so before she passed on, (Mrs Eddy) spoke of him as the most scientific man that she ever knew before the discovery of Christian Science.”  One can only wonder what the discovery of Christian Science might have looked like had Albert been at Mary’s side, reasoning scientific truths with her and encouraging her in her research and writing. 

Marie Fox

Clifford Smith's writing: engaging, insightful, convincing

There are 15 authorised biographies of the Discoverer of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, currently available from The Christian Science Publishing Society. You can see the complete list at a glance on the "Who was Mary Baker Eddy" tab at https://BooksThatChangeLives.au. This beautiful website is a project of the Christian Science churches, groups and societies in Queensland. The page about Mary Baker Eddy captures information from reliable sources, such as the Mary Baker Eddy Library and ChristianScience.com.

This month's book comes from that collection of fifteen biographies. Its title is quite long: Historical Sketches from the life of Mary Baker Eddy and the History of Christian Science. But don't let that put you off. It's an easy read. I was surprised that I couldn't find a copy of this book on my bookshelf, and was very glad to find a copy at our Reading Room. I've been reading a chapter each night before bed and I'm just about to begin chapter 7. I'm enjoying it immensely. Its author is Clifford P. Smith, CSB. 

Judge Clifford P. Smith's style is appealing, engaging, succinct, straightforward, and flows easily. He also writes with authority about his subject. It is a very refreshing read and thoroughly convincing in its logic.

The Longyear Foundation article about Smith notes that, as an early pioneer of Christian Science, "One of his early services to the Christian Science movement was to define and preserve the legal rights of Christian Scientists to heal by prayer." He was especially suited to this work because of his legal training and profession as a judge.  

I quote in full an example of Smith's ability to lay out his subject with clarity and precision. This is a copy of a newspaper article reprinted in the Christian Science Sentinel October 27, 1917:

The third attack on Christian Science by a certain reverend...

Judge Clifford P. Smith

Virginia (Minn.) Enterprise

The third attack on Christian Science by a certain reverend gentleman, which the Enterprise has printed, again illustrates the fact that people who try to convince others that Christian Science is something bad, continually find themselves relying on misrepresentations. The reason is this: Christian Science is good; it is good in what it teaches and in what it does for its adherents; therefore the choice of material for opposition is very limited.

In this situation, one of the consequences of opposition is that the admissions or concessions made by one opponent refute what is said by another. For instance, here is the reverend gentleman trying to convince the people of Virginia that Christian Science is against the Bible and against prayer. On the other hand, at Alliance, Ohio, not long ago, when a preacher and editor spoke to the representatives of fifteen churches or denominations on how to stop the inroads of Christian Science, he said: "There are many things the church might learn from Christian Science, including greater loyalty to the Bible, more faithful testimony to the power and grace of Jesus Christ, the value and privilege of prayer, and last but not least, the potency of a holy life."

Acceptance of the Bible is the first tenet of Christian Science. Moreover, a Christian Scientist keeps his Bible in active use. It is neither covered with dust in a forgotten drawer nor kept on a parlor table as an ornament. It is needed every day for the study of prepared lessons on which, as Mrs. Eddy has said, "the prosperity of Christian Science largely depends" (Church Manual, Art. III., Sect. 1). The Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, is read at the same time because the light which it throws on the Scriptures justifies its name and has opened the Bible to unnumbered thousands of people for whom the Bible had been closed. With Christian Scientists this textbook does not take the place of the Bible; in connection with the Bible it takes the place occupied, or at least sought, by sermons in other churches.

I feel so glad to be getting to know this author and his subject better. Will you join me?

Julie Swannell

Lessons in humility

 The final chapters of II Chronicles recount the reigns of the various kings, most of whom are fairly unforgettable. However, Hezekiah’s nearly 30-year reign was noteworthy, as explained in this extract from the Bible Lens in last week’s Christian Science Bible Lesson: 

Thirteenth ruler of Judah, Hezekiah reigned for nearly thirty years at the end of the eighth and beginning of the seventh centuries BC.  He was known as a wise and pious king who exercised great military skill, defeating the Philistines and resisting Assyrian aggression through divine guidance (see 18:7, 8; II Chronicles 32:9–22). Even more significant, he restored worship of the one God, destroyed pagan shrines throughout the kingdom, and renovated the Temple at Jerusalem (see II Chronicles, chaps. 29–31). For these reasons, some sources compare him to his revered predecessor, King David.

Isaiah’s charge to Hezekiah to put his house in order may indicate that he had no heir as yet. But God promises him 15 more years of life (see II Kings 20:6), and his son Manasseh is born during that time. 

In turning his face to the wall, Hezekiah assumes an attitude of humble prayer. Commentaries contrast this demeanor with that of wilful King Ahab, who turned his face in displeasure at being denied a vineyard he wanted (see I Kings 21:1–4).

The Bible Lesson also included a passage from Isaiah 38:9, 17–19

The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness: . . . Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back. For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day.

The Bible Lens shares this background information:

Hezekiah’s moving petition to God and subsequent healing is narrated in verses 1–8 and II Kings 20:1–7 (citation 13)—and also mentioned in II Chronicles 32:24. His song of thanksgiving, however, appears only in Isaiah’s account. Where the other records place the king’s cure in the context of surrounding political events, this passage—using language similar to many psalms—highlights Hezekiah’s change of thought from lament to praise.

Joyce Voysey

After Hezekiah’s passing (II Chronicles 32: 33), his twelve-year-old son Manasseh took over the rule of Judah for the next 55 years. Manasseh seems to have had to learn his lessons through adversity. At the beginning of his reign, he “reared up altars for Baalim” (ibid verse 3) and “used witchcraft …and wizards” (verse 6). However, he got himself back on track following the harrowing experience of being captured by the king of Assyria and carried off to Babylon. It was at this point that he “humbled himself greatly…and prayed” (vv. 12-13) and was subsequently returned to his home in Jerusalem.

At Manasseh’s passing, his twenty-two-year-old son Amon was crowned king, only to soon be assassinated and replaced by his son, eight-year-old Josiah.

Something of note took place during Josiah’s thirty-year reign. During a massive clean-up, the priest Hilkiah “found a book of the law of the Lord given by Moses” (II Chron. 34: 14). At this point, the king’s men approached the prophetess Huldah, who assures them that Josiah’s innate goodness will stand him in good stead. See II Chron. 34: 22-28. When this document was read out, Josiah was truly humbled and “made a covenant … to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments … with all his heart, and with all his soul…” (v. 31).

However, things went quickly downhill after Josiah’s unfortunate death in battle. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, captured the new king Jehoiakim, replaced him with his brother Zedekiah, and destroyed Jerusalem. So, the people of Judah were captives in far-away Babylon until the Persians defeated Babylon and Cyrus king of Persia paved the way for a new era. Long-time blog readers may remember reading about Cyrus on the site some years ago. 

Julie Swannell