An Interview with Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy

A Card.

My recent interview of a few moments with Sibyl Wilbur of The Boston Herald was prolific. I confess to having yielded reluctantly to meet the occasion for quieting the billows of public opinion, while constantly signalling it as to my course and hoped-for haven. But what a grand, calm call was hers, what a short time it took for us to talk when touched by the truth of an honest purpose! By speaking less and feeling more we parted reciprocally blest. Will Miss Wilbur accept my thanks for her kind courtesy, for leaving me with not one hour less in which to put my mite with hers into the vast treasure-troves of eternity, to draw the interest on deposits gained from minutes, till we receive the principal whereof God keeps account? May she, because of her goodness, broaden her range of usefulness; and I, work on to widen mine into paths of peace; till the burden and heat of the day are done, the eventide is past, and bird and blossom wake in the sunshine.

Mary Baker Eddy.

Pleasant View, Concord, N. H., May 24, 1905.

I have seen Mrs. Mary Baker G. Eddy. I have conversed with her and secured her answers to a number of questions concerning Christian Science. I have held her hand in mine, felt the touch of her thought, listened to her kindly blessing, and received from her lips a message to the world.

Mrs. Eddy is alive and well, she is in full possession of her mental and physical powers. She has no visible physical malady; she is a beautifully poised, physically etherealized, exquisitely fashioned woman of advanced years. Her mind is clear and energetic, marvelously alert and delicately attuned. Her eyes are radiant, her voice like a bell. In a word, Mrs. Eddy seems to have reached an adjustment between her physical and spiritual powers which promises to carry her existence through many years to come.

The secret which the world has been trying to wrest from the closely guarded home at Pleasant View, the secret which for several years has been construed by suspicion to mean illness, physical or mental collapse, and even, by the extremists of worldly-mindedness, the actual dissolution of Mrs. Eddy and the substitution in her place of a representative — this secret has been disclosed, and in its disclosure is a rebuke for all the petty suspicions which have been heaped against a blameless life.

The secret of Pleasant View is no secret at all. It is the plain and simple truth, which any well-ordered mind might readily have fathomed without the necessity of painful intrusion upon the well-earned seclusion of a woman who gave the full measure of her services to humanity before retiring from the theatre of human activities.

At Pleasant View, in Concord, N. H., lives a remarkable woman, over eighty years of age, who is going through the gradual process of completing the spiritualization of her faculties. She is performing the miracle of human life which may be witnessed in any home where dwells a grand old father or mother. She is performing the miracle which the saint-like Leo, the late father of the Catholic Church, performed, when he prolonged his life to a grand old age by isolation from the world, when he had opportunity for the spiritualization of his life by reading, prayer, and contemplation, uttering annually a vigorous and spiritually visioned encyclical.

There is no great palace at Pleasant View, such as is the Vatican at Rome; no house with its hundreds of corridors, its doors opening upon doors, its every passageway guarded with soldiers, to insure quiet and sanctity from intrusion; there is no walled garden extending for miles in which one may walk alone with nature and God, sheltered from the prying eye of vulgar curiosity. There is only a simple cottage home set in a few acres of low-fenced ground. A ring of the front door-bell means that every member of the house is disturbed, and the entrance of a visitor into the cottage hallway means an actual intrusion upon a family whose chief member is the most influential woman living in the world to-day.

Shattered by the Truth.

The writer is not a Christian Scientist. It is necessary to confess at the outset that the interview with Mrs. Eddy was desired, because Mrs. Eddy had become the object of the most intense curiosity of the public press in America. Every great newspaper in the country has striven within the past few years to get an audience with the head of the Christian Science Church, and, failing in this quest universally, they have built up an office tradition which is as monstrous as it is silly when touched with the dissolvent of truth.

The story which has gradually been built up since Mrs. Eddy retired from active life, over ten years ago, has been that the Christian Science Church was founded on the doctrine of everlasting life on earth; that it has declared that death shall be overcome; that it has not the courage to face the inevitable physical dissolution of its Founder. Therefore, as the world no longer had the privilege of seeing Mrs. Eddy, it was likely, nay, probable, that Mrs. Eddy had fallen into physical disability, or had become weak-minded, if indeed she had not already passed away.

There were other stories to the effect that Mrs. Eddy was alive, but that she was daily treated by masseurs and beauty doctors; that the dignity of years was travestied by applications to her person; in a word, that she was tricked out by artificial means to keep up a semblance of youth for the bolstering of the impossible dogma of everlasting youth. A woman’s instinct naturally made this point one of especial interest, and, besides, I was determined to be able to give to the world the exact facts.

That the Christian Science Church will not be placed in any predicament for its philosophical teachings in the ultimate demise of its Leader, is made clear by the explanation of the real teaching of Christian Science on this subject of everlasting life, which has been given the writer by an authoritative statement from a member of the Publication Committee. This statement shows the absurdity of the popular misconception of the doctrine.

“We do not claim,” said this Christian Scientist, “that it is possible for one to live eternally in the flesh. We accept the Scriptural prophecy that eventually mankind will have attained to such a high degree of spirituality that death will cease to be a phenomenon of human experience. But centuries may pass before such an exalted state is attained by any mortal. Christian Scientists believe, however, that already longevity has increased through their religious teachings, and that it will continue to increase in each successive generation.”

This explanation answers effectually the critic who delighted in imagining that the Christian Scientists had got themselves into a corner; and as to the more flippant comment on the artificiality of Mrs. Eddy’s personal appearance, it is possible for the writer to assure the loving followers of Mrs. Eddy, that no indignities have been perpetrated against their Leader; that she is surrounded by loving and devoted friends; that she is the mistress of her own house in an undeniable way; that she is growing old as beautifully as any woman ever did.

And after meeting her and her family, I believe that when, in the fulness of time, the curtain of everlasting life is lifted higher, the world will know of it, and that she will pass on to the greater glory with the triumph of Christian faith, and all Christians the world around will be ready to acknowledge that a useful life has closed as fall the cadences of music, as comes the winter solstice after the long glories of autumn closing in upon the harvest of the year. There will be no greater miracle advocated in her behalf by her million of followers than the one great miracle of a good life which comes to each human being out of the womb of time.

Securing an Interview with Mrs. Eddy.

The interview with Mrs. Eddy was not secured without considerable delay, without a long series of arguments with various members of the Governing Board of the Church, without eventually overcoming the opposition of the manager of the Publication Committee, Alfred Farlow, whose offices are in Huntington Chambers, Boston. The attempt to have an interview with Mrs. Eddy was begun in February by The Boston Herald, and culminated successfully on Sunday, May 21.

The objection which Mr. Farlow made to giving a letter of introduction to Mrs. Eddy, or her secretaries at Pleasant View, was a very natural one. He said that he had not the authority to make demands on Mrs. Eddy’s time, and that he did not like to disturb her with requests which she had repeatedly refused to consider. He said that her days were fully occupied, and that it was his duty to assist in protecting her from intrusion. Nevertheless, Mr. Farlow eventually consented to refer The Herald’s request to Mrs. Eddy, and endeavor to win her permission for the visit.

The kindly offices of Mr. Farlow resulted in a letter from Mrs. Eddy to The Herald’s representative. The letter was written on her note-paper, under the embossed seal of her crest, the motto of which is “Vincere aut Mori.” The date was March 25, and the letter read: —

“My Dear Madam — You will excuse me, since I must be uniform in declining the honor of calls from newspaper reporters. Christian Science cannot be carried on in certain worldly ways. Accept my thanks and this book. Please read page 464, paragraph 1. Sincerely yours, Mary Baker Eddy.”

The letter was written on a typewriter, but the signature was in the clear handwriting of Mrs. Eddy. It is a noticeable fact that it is quite modern in style, and remarkably steady for one of her years. The letter was accompanied by a copy of Mrs. Eddy’s book, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” and the paragraph indicated read as follows: —

“It has been said to the author: ‘The world is benefited by you, but it feels your influence without seeing you. Why do you not make yourself more widely known?’ Could her friends know how little time the author has had in which to make herself outwardly known, except through her laborious publications, — and how much time and toil are still required to establish the stately operations of Christian Science, — they would understand why she is so secluded. Others could not take her place, even if willing to do so. She has therefore remained unseen at her post, working for the generations to come, never looking for a present reward.”

The message was entirely courteous, but the refusal seemed complete. Yet The Herald was not willing to give up its purpose of obtaining some data of interest about Mrs. Eddy.

The proposal was therefore made to Mr. Farlow that The Herald’s representative be allowed to visit Pleasant View under the guidance of one of the secretaries, go over the house and grounds during Mrs. Eddy’s absence on her drives, and, if possible, obtain a glimpse of Mrs. Eddy as she entered or left the carriage.

All during the month of April this request was held in abeyance, and finally it was conditionally denied. The time was not favorable, the secretaries declared, and if a more opportune time did present itself later the request might be granted. Not until the close of May was the matter brought up again, when a reconsideration of certain flippant reports about Mrs. Eddy, and the incomplete and unsatisfactory descriptions of her which had heretofore appeared in print, renewed the interest in The Herald’s proposed interview on the part of the Publication Committee, while it also increased my own determination in the matter.

When The Herald’s representative asserted the intention of going to Concord, and seeking what information was obtainable, finding what welcome there might be, the manager of the Publication Committee wrote letters to the secretaries at Pleasant View, and gave the writer of this story a letter of introduction, begging the courtesies of the house and all that the time might warrant, but not including a request for an interview with Mrs. Eddy. With this the writer had to be content.

I have stated the full particulars of these proceedings to show with what jealous care Mrs. Eddy’s representatives guard her seclusion, and I now feel that this jealous care is warrantable, and that, even in the face of misunderstandings and false accusations, these representatives do well in so performing their duty and standing to their guns, as it were, in the face of suspicions of unworthy motives. The life of Mrs. Eddy is very precious to the Christian Science Church.

Pleasant View Buildings and Grounds.

The trip to Concord, N. H., from Boston is a pleasant one. The two hours’ ride up the valley of the Merrimac river, through the low hills which are as the foothills of the White Mountains, carries one through a rugged farming country and many factory towns to the sober little capital city, with its wide, shaded streets, old-fashioned homes, and many churches. The city lies, as it were, in a basin, the rim of which is encircling hills. Old elm-trees make roofs of green over the streets, and there is a quiet, sleepy atmosphere about the town.

The public buildings are grouped together in the centre of the city, the capitol, the state library, the postoffice, and the city building, with six or eight churches grouped around them. Most of the buildings are of New Hampshire granite, and none are more beautiful than the Christian Science church, which was the gift of Mrs. Eddy to her followers in Concord. This building is built of the virgin stone of a freshly opened quarry, and it is almost as fair as marble in color. It has a great tower, which is plain and four-faced, and recedes from its broad base to a lofty belfry, in which are placed tubular chimes on which old hymns are rung out to the city every Sunday morning.

I arrived in the city Saturday afternoon, and was driven almost immediately out Pleasant Street, past the State Asylum, with its beautiful grounds, past the Odd Fellows’ Home, past numerous handsome private homes, until, perhaps a mile from the centre of the city, I reached the grounds of Pleasant View.

The place is to the south, and west of the city. One hundred acres slope from the hill road down to the blue river. There is a low granite curbing, surmounted by an ornamental iron fencing. The grounds are laid off like a park, with very careful landscape gardening. There is a sweep of lawn, in the centre of which stands the modest three-storied frame cottage, with its balconies, verandas, and tower effects, giving large window views to the chambers.

There is an ornamental fountain in the foreground, and a circular drive sweeps up to the door from a granite gateway, in which is set a little iron wicket. Beyond the house the lawn slopes to the river, and in various parts of the grounds are large beds of tulips, pansies, hyacinths. Beyond the garden are orchards, which were in full flower at the time of the visit.

From the house a pathway leads toward a miniature lake, on which is built an ornamental boat-house, and here is kept the small skiff in which Mrs. Eddy has sometimes enjoyed drifting about this placid little body of water. The view across the river is beautiful from the windows of Mrs. Eddy’s room, and, in fact, from all the rooms on that side of the house. Monadnock rears its purple head some miles away, and directly opposite are the hills of Mrs. Eddy’s birthplace.

Mr. Frye, the First Secretary.

I dismissed my carriage at the gate and walked across the pebbly walk to the vestibuled entrance, over which are stained-glass windows, which give a brightly ornamental effect in the pale green color-scheme of the house. My ring was answered by an elderly lady, who greeted me with a smile, and took my card and letter of introduction to Calvin A. Frye, who is Mrs. Eddy’s first secretary. She admitted me and directed me to the parlor, where she left me.

I have spoken of the modest dimensions of the house, but the double parlors, which occupy the eastern half of it on the ground floor, are so arranged as to give an effect of stateliness. They are hung in rose-pink silk brocade, carpeted with white velvet, and curtained with filmy lace at the windows. They are full of sunlight, and contain several handsome paintings, one of which is a three-quarters length portrait of Mrs. Eddy, representing her as standing in the pulpit of her church in Boston.

I had but a moment to observe the exquisite daintiness of the rooms, when Mr. Frye came down stairs and invited me into the library, across the hall. This is a small, square room, full of books shut up behind glass doors, with several handsome steel engravings hanging over the cases. The furniture is of leather upholstery, and it is a comfortable, livable, old-fashioned sort of room. Mr. Frye seated himself opposite me, and looked at me thoughtfully for some minutes without speaking. Then he said: —

“I don’t want to seem inhospitable to you after your making this trip to Concord, but I cannot do more for you than to let you see our living-rooms, and talk to you for a few minutes. I am busy every day with important work with Mrs. Eddy, and she, of course, cannot be disturbed.”

I looked at Mr. Frye in turn, and also remained silent for some time. He is a man of clerical appearance, with hair slightly tinged with gray. He was distinctly disturbed, and perhaps a little annoyed by my visit. He seemed about to frustrate the work of three months by interposing his personal refusal to my quest.

“I want to see the house and the grounds, certainly; all of your home that you can conveniently show me,” I replied. “But I also want to see Mrs. Eddy.”

“I am not able to command Mrs. Eddy’s time. I have told her of your request, and she has not seen fit to grant you an audience,” said Mr. Frye. “She is engaged, and does not care to be interrupted.”

“Is she engaged with the affairs of the Christian Science Church?”

“She is at present engaged on her own personal affairs, and her secretaries are at work assisting her.”

“It was not my intention to inquire as to the exact nature of her business at this moment,” I explained. “I merely wished to suggest that the affair upon which I come is of relative importance. I am willing to wait in Concord until such time as Mrs. Eddy will be at leisure to see me. If Mrs. Eddy is ill I will not wait; if Mrs. Eddy is not ill I shall wait with what patience I can find, knowing that you will eventually understand that my business is serious.”

Mr. Frye reflected. Presently he said: “As I have told you, I cannot persuade Mrs. Eddy to do anything which she does not wish to do. I will tell her what you say. In the mean time I will have you shown about the place, and I will send you word what Mrs. Eddy decides. I hope the news will be favorable.”

At this moment an electric bell rang in the rooms above, and some one came to summon Mr. Frye. I heard a pleasant voice speaking with him, and then the doors closed, and I was left alone to inspect the library if I desired.

After I had looked at two most interesting pictures, the one “Christ or Diana?” the other “Daniel in the Den of Lions,” another lady came to me, a lady whom I afterward found was Mrs. Laura E. Sargent. She had a very pleasant face, and she looked at me with a slightly quizzical smile, as though she were in a mood to tease me about the persistence of all news writers. But she said: —

“If you will come with me I will introduce you to our steward, and he will show you about the grounds and stables.”

We passed through the dining-room and kitchen, giving me the opportunity to see that, to the last corner of this house, order, simplicity, and absolute daintiness prevailed. The steward, August Mann, was waiting for us, and he took me in charge.

“Show her all about, everything she wishes to see,” said Mrs. Sargent, kindly, and Mr. Mann smiled on me in a large, wholesome way, — a smile to dispel the doubts of a Thomas, for he has an open, friendly countenance.

Tour Made with the Steward.

The stables include a carriage house, horse stables, and cow barns. I was first shown the carriages. Mrs. Eddy’s rockaway had just been washed after her daily outing, and I was permitted to sit in it to see how comfortable it was. It is a coupe, hung on especially easy riding springs. It is upholstered in dark green, has silver-mounted lamps, and bears Mrs. Eddy’s monogram on the door.

Mrs. Eddy’s parasol and a light wrap still lay on the seat. There was a lavender silk knitted handkerchief-bag hanging from the card-case in the front of the carriage, a little clock fixed in the centre of this case, and two crystal bottles set in the wall pockets. These small bottles may have been intended by the makers of the carriage for smelling-salts, perfume, or tiny confectionery, but when I saw them they were empty, and appeared to be merely ornamental fixtures.

The seat of the carriage was especially comfortable, being upholstered with air cushions, and providing a most luxurious and easy resting-place for the back.

“Do you think you could enjoy that in comfort for a long ride?” asked Mr. Mann.

There were several other carriages in the different rooms, an old rockaway which is used on runners in the winter time, but which is far from being a shabby vehicle; a large double-seated surrey for the use of the family, a small runabout, and a top buggy.

On the door leading to the stables there is printed: “Always speak to the horses before entering the stalls.”

We entered the stalls, and Mr. Mann duly spoke to each animal, calling each by name. Dolly and Princess are Mrs. Eddy’s own carriage horses. They are large, fine-looking animals of seal brown color, but not of any particularly blooded stock. There are two other horses, — Jerry and Bess, I believe, — just ordinary well-fed creatures.

But down at the cow barns we saw two of the daintiest little Jersey heifers that ever browsed on tender grass. They looked like little deer in color and shapeliness, and in beauty of eyes, and came at the call of the steward as though they were great pets.

After fondling the wet noses of the little cows we went up to the greenhouse, and looked at the plants which are being prepared for the gardens, looked at the hotbeds of salads and early garden truck, and then came up across the lawn, which had attained a plushy softness, to investigate a century plant, with its long blue swordlike leaves.

Two or three men were at work grubbing out dandelions from the lawn, and caring for the turf edges of the walks. I had seen two men in the stables, and judge there were several men servants employed about the place. Its careful gardening shows the effects of their work, for the whole place is kept with exquisite care. At a small summer-house in the grounds we stopped, and the steward invited me to pick all the pansies I wanted. Mr. Frye came down to me there, and told the steward to send the carriage to the door to drive me back to the hotel.

“Mrs. Eddy will send you word to-morrow when you may come to see her,” he said, and shook me cordially by the hand.

A Message Comes From Mrs. Eddy.

On Sunday morning I attended service in First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Concord, and after the services, which are unusually brief to one used to a long ritualistic service, I went for a stroll, not yet having received any message.

I was walking in a general way in the direction of Pleasant View, when I saw Mr. Mann driving toward me. He drew up at at curb, and said he was coming to fetch me. Mrs. Eddy had decided to see me for a few minutes at one o’clock. We drove back to the little villa, and this time, as I walked up the driveway, I heard the piano, which some one was playing on softly, and just before my ring a ripple of laughter.

All the foolish fears of a great secret at Pleasant View suddenly dropped from me like a hateful cloak. I perceived the beauty of a happy home life, being lived naturally and agreeably here in this well-ordered, well-kept country residence.

The housekeeper answered my ring on this occasion, and said she would take my card to Mrs. Eddy. I went to the parlor, and there met Mrs. Sargent again, and a young man, an under secretary, who has recently gone to Pleasant View, It was he who had been striking the piano keys.

The maid came back to fetch me, and said: “Mrs. Eddy will see you now.”

“You are going up with me, are you not?” I asked Mrs. Sargent.

“I will go to the door with you, if you wish it,” she replied. “But Mrs. Eddy wishes to see you alone.”

“And may I talk with her?”

“Certainly. That is what you are here for,” smiled Mrs. Sargent again, with her bit of quizzical playfulness.

We went up-stairs to Mrs. Eddy’s study, which is in the tower room with the balcony running around the window. Mrs. Sargent left me at the door, and, to my surprise, closed the door after her as she left me. I saw a lady with white hair standing in the window with her back to me. She stood there quietly for a few seconds, and then turned and came toward me. She held out her hand cordially and spoke my name.

She was the rarefied image of that painting in the room below which I had studied so carefully, and every feature was the feature of the photograph which all the world is familiar with as the picture of the Founder of Christian Science. She wore a gown of black silk, with a piece of rare old lace arranged in fichu fashion about her neck. Her hair was perfectly white, and rippled softly away from her face. Her skin had the delicate bloom of a dear old lady’s, and, though it was fine and almost transparent, it was in no way artificially touched. The hand which she gave me in greeting was very small and well formed. In stature she must be about five feet, five inches.

“All this fuss to see poor little me,” said Mrs. Eddy, looking at me with radiant eyes, and smiling upon me benignantly.

“I feel greatly honored at the privilege granted.”

“But why should you, my dear child? Why do so many people wish to see me?”

I could not answer. I felt some way overwhelmed.

“All that I ask of the world now,” continued Mrs. Eddy, in a voice which had the sweetness of a silver chime about it, “is that it grant me time, time to assimilate myself to God.”

Again I was silent, for there was force and decision in every word so gently uttered. The force was like a command from a mind accustomed to be obeyed.

“Are you satisfied, now that you have met me personally, and now that I have acceded to all your requests?”

“I am satisfied,” I replied.

“I would that I could satisfy every one who wishes to see me,” went on Mrs. Eddy. “I would that I could entertain them all, take them all to my heart. But I cannot do it. I can only say to those who cherish this ambition, ‘Look on Truth and forget my personality.’ All that I ask of the world is time.”

I lifted Mrs. Eddy’s delicate hand to my lips, and bowed in assent to her apparent desire to terminate the interview. She touched my forehead with her fingers, and lifted her hand as though to bless me as I withdrew from the room. My last glimpse of her was as she stood there, erect as youth, dominating in expression, and yet gentle, flowerlike, and very lovable. Her last gesture was a wave of her uplifted hand.

Treasures in the House.

Mr. Frye was waiting down the hall for me, and he took me to the parlor. There I met the assembled family, Mrs. Pamelia J. Leonard, of New York, Mrs. Sargent, and the assistant secretary. Mrs. Eddy had asked them to show me certain of the treasures in the house, and they were waiting to carry out her wishes.

Among these was the gold scroll on which was inscribed the invitation from The Mother Church in Boston for Mrs. Eddy to visit and accept the edifice as a testimonial from the loving hands of four thousand members. This scroll rests in a case upon a table which is covered by a silk embroidered cover, brought from Pekin by Mrs. Conger, wife of the former minister to China, who, as is well known, is a devout Christian Scientist, and who practised her faith among the frightened prisoners at the siege of Pekin during the uprising of the Boxers.

Under this table is a large rug of ostrich tips sent from South America. On another table lies a copy of “Bohemia,” done in white vellum, beautifully printed and illuminated, being the second impress of an imperial edition of fifty copies of this work, this number being especially printed for Mrs. Eddy. There is a large tapestry painting on one of the walls, of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, with the inscription, “His banner over me is Love.” Another painting which is particularly prized by Mrs. Eddy, having been given her by a student, is “The Angel of the Resurrection.”

On the table in the back parlor lie the two silver trowels which were used in laying the corner-stones of the churches of Concord and Boston. The trowel used for the Concord church was given Mrs. Eddy by Lady Victoria Murray, daughter of Lord Dunmore.

In the library is a loving-cup presented by the Executive Members of the Boston Church. This is a beautifully embossed silver urn, in the rim of which are set twelve large pearls. There are also some miniatures in this room of great value and beauty. There are portraits of King Edward and Queen Alexandra of England, and paintings of “The Madonna and Child,” and “The Holy Family,” done by a pupil of Raphael, and presented to Mrs. Eddy by Lord Abinger. His crest is on the back of the frames, and under this is written, “From Abinger, an admirer, to the Rev. Mary Baker Eddy.”

On the wall hangs a Persian rug which was wrought for an empress, and which is valued at $5,000; but no one could quite tell its history. The rug was woven by hand, and required eighteen years in the making. There was an old Bible in this room printed in 1551, and a quaint old clock which seemed to have a history hid away somewhere. There is also a beautiful old clock in the hall, whose silver chimes ring out the quarter hours. It was presented by her Church. Of its kind there are but few in existence.

Daily Life at “Pleasant View.”

We walked for a few minutes on the rear veranda, while Mrs. Sargent related something of the daily life at “Pleasant View.”

“Mrs. Eddy is an early riser,” she said. “She has all her meals with great punctuality, coming down stairs for most of them. She is not faddish about her food in any way, has never given up the eating of meat, nor in any way does she show a peculiarity about what she takes for nourishment, though, of course, she has always been very moderate in her appetite. She would like to take more exercise than she does, but there is little seclusion for us in these grounds, as you can see. She can walk here on the veranda, and she takes her daily ride, which is always an hour in length.

“She loves order and regularity above all things, and she likes to have the household affairs move with precision. She also likes to have a family around her, as you see. She sometimes throws aside all other work and writes poetry. Her writing is excellent, and she punctuates each sentence with great care.

“She takes a personal interest in her daily mail, which is voluminous. She answers a great many letters entirely in her own writing, writing rapidly and apparently without effort; but a large number of letters are disposed of by dictation to her secretaries.

“She superintends all the business which is carried on here, supervising all business of her secretaries. Sometimes she spends long periods in contemplation, and she likes to look across the river there to Bow Hill, where she was born. She told a member of the household the other day that she knew every bit of that territory over there, and that she could see seven counties from her window.

“Our life here is very simple though quite busy. But it is a life consecrated to God, and every day seems to bring a renewed blessing from association with this beautiful life of Mrs. Eddy. She is always gentle, always self-effacing, and only interested in the living of a holy life. We who are spending our days at ‘Pleasant View’ have the opportunity of growing wonderfully in the tenets of the Christian Science faith.”

The carriage was brought around to the door again, and I was driven back to the hotel. The personal interview with Mrs. Eddy has been faithfully described. I left with her secretaries the outline of an interview which Mrs. Eddy agreed to look over at her leisure, and dictate the replies. This included questions which would involve too long a conversation to be held at one time. The questions were later considered, and given to The Herald with Mrs. Eddy’s comments, as follows: —

Questions Answered by Mrs. Eddy.

Is Christian Science a new religion? Yes, a new old religion and Christianity.

Does it stand in relation to Christianity as Christianity did to Judaism? Somewhat.

Are you, Mrs. Eddy, an interpreter of Jesus’ teaching, or have you presented that which is new to his teaching? An interpreter thereof.

Is the text-book of Christian Science the Word of God in the same sense as the Bible is? All Truth is of God, and Christian Science is eternal Truth, demonstrable, based on fixed Principle and rules susceptible of proof.

Is “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” a fulfilment of the New Testament promises of a latter-day revelation? It is.

Is Christian Science in antagonism to natural science? No, not to natural Spiritual Science. There is no material Science.

Does it (Christian Science) discourage the study of it, or any portion of it? It is gained by study and rightness.

Does it (Christian Science) discourage the study of anatomy, physiology, and hygiene? Not of spiritual hygiene.

Does it (Christian Science) deny the existence of disease germs, or merely assert man’s superiority over such forces? Denies the existence thereof.

Does Christian Science expect its followers to live immediately as though entirely spiritualized beings? No.

Is it proper for the Christian Scientist to disregard the laws of hygiene, or merely to disregard them if circumstances make it necessary? To disregard all that denies the Allness of God, Spirit, and His laws.

May the Christian Scientist make use of physical culture, use especially nutritive foods, or make use of the fresh-air treatment as aids to physical well-being? No, not necessarily.

Under any conceivable circumstances would the Christian Scientist make use of surgery? Yes, and no.

In case of infectious disease would the Christian Scientist yield himself to the customary treatment of isolation and disinfection? If the law demands it, yes.

Does Christian Science regard poverty as a manifestation of disease? No.

Is poverty a disease of society or the individual? Of both.

Can the individual, by use of Christian Science, overcome worldly defeat? Yes.

Is there a doctrine taught by Christian Science that evil can be willed against another as well as good? This doctrine is Hypnotism. Christian Science can only produce good effects.

Has an evil mind power against a spiritual life? Evil works against all good, if it works at all.

Do you regard death as the great world fear which the human race wills against itself? Yes.

If the world would abandon the study of disease and crime, and devote itself to the study of wealth, health, and love, would criminals, cripples, and poverty cease to exist? They would.

Does Christian Science advocate the abolishment of philanthropic institutions as well as hospitals? No.

Could society exist without jails and almhouses? Not at present.