Pulpit and Press (6th Edition)

In Short

This volume is a compendium of sermons, hymns, and newspaper clippings centered on the 1895 dedication of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston. By compiling diverse public reactions alongside her own theological reflections, the author creates a snapshot of the movement’s maturation. It has lasted as a primary source for understanding how Christian Science transitioned from a small, controversial pursuit to a visible, organized institution. It captures the tension between the skepticism of the secular press and the fervent devotion of a growing, international congregation at the turn of the century.

The Story

The narrative arc begins in 1866, the year the author identifies as the birth of Christian Science. The book traces a thirty-year evolution, moving from the author’s solitary period of scriptural study and spiritual discovery toward the public establishment of a worldwide church. The central event around which the text revolves is the construction and dedication of the Mother Church in Boston. This building represents more than just architecture; it is characterized as a "prayer in stone," a physical manifestation of the movement’s triumph over material skepticism.

The story unfolds through a dual perspective. First, the author provides her own voice through a dedicatory sermon and personal notes, positioning the church as a spiritual necessity that prioritizes Mind over matter. She recounts the early struggles of the faith, noting that she was once dismissed by critics, only to have those same principles later adopted in broader religious forums. She emphasizes that the movement’s growth is driven by the healing of the sick, a "scientific" application of divine law that she argues is as operative in the nineteenth century as it was in the time of the Nazarene.

Interwoven with the author’s voice are the reports of various journalists and editors. These clippings provide a ground-level view of the movement’s expansion. The press accounts vary significantly, ranging from curious observation and cautious respect to skeptical analysis. Reporters detail the logistical feat of dedicating a multimillion-dollar, debt-free building in Boston and describe the diverse, often affluent, and highly educated nature of the membership. There is a recurring theme in these reports: the curiosity of the outside world regarding the "new woman" and her role in reshaping religious thought.

The book moves toward its conclusion by highlighting the international reach of the faith and the dedication of its followers, who traveled from across the country to participate in the opening of the temple. The final sections include extensive lists of publications that covered the event, underscoring the magnitude of the public attention. The narrative ends not with a sense of finality, but with a gaze toward the future. The author suggests that the church acts as a fermenting leaven in global religion, arguing that as the century turns, the spiritual foundations laid in these early years will be validated by the continued progress of "Truth." There is no attempt to hide the friction caused by the movement; rather, the book embraces the controversy as a sign of progress, concluding that the path of the church is to continue its "upward" trajectory while remaining steadfast in the practice of spiritual healing.

How It Unfolds

The birth of an idea The author recounts her 1866 realization that healing is a matter of divine law rather than material medicine. She describes a period of withdrawal from the world to study the Bible as her sole textbook, refining her understanding of "Mind" as the supreme healing force.

The struggle for recognition The narrative moves to the early years of intense opposition from both the press and the pulpit. The author describes how early efforts to share these teachings were met with hostility, yet she persists in the conviction that the healing of the sick is the ultimate proof of her doctrine.

The construction of the temple The focus shifts to the Herculean effort to build The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston. The book details the financial contributions of thousands of followers and the architectural specifications of the fireproof, Romanesque edifice, framing its swift completion as a "scientific demonstration" over mortal expectations.

The public assessment A series of newspaper clippings provides a mosaic of contemporary opinion. Reporters from various cities visit the services, interview congregants, and offer assessments of the movement's impact on the established religious landscape of the era.

The institutional legacy The final movement reflects on the church as a permanent fixture in the religious world. The author accepts the "testimonial" of the church from her followers and looks toward the twentieth century, predicting that the spiritual momentum established will continue to unfold for future generations.

The People

The book is dominated by the figure of the author, Mary Baker Eddy. She presents herself as both a "discoverer" and a "teacher," framing her life as a sequence of spiritual milestones. She is the central authority, and the text emphasizes her role in guiding the congregation through the creation of the Mother Church. A. Bronson Alcott appears as an important early ally, a scholarly figure who provided solace to the author when the press was most critical, validating her work during its infancy. Judge S.J. Hanna serves as a key representative of the church; his role as a reader and sermonizer highlights the transition of the organization toward using the author’s books as the primary authority, rather than individual personality. The four thousand members of the church, and the "two thousand and six hundred children" who contributed specifically to the Mother’s Room, appear as a collective force. They are characterized by their intense personal devotion, many having arrived at the faith through personal experiences of healing, and their collective action represents the movement's transition into a unified, national presence.

In Its Own Voice

A new year is a nursling, a babe of time, a prophecy and promise clad in white raiment, kissed--and encumbered with greetings--redolent with grief and gratitude.

The author uses this poetic imagery to open her dedicatory sermon, setting a tone of hopeful, solemn reflection.

I had learned that mind reconstructed the body and that nothing else could.

This line appears in the author’s reflections on her discovery, serving as the foundational principle for her entire system of metaphysical healing.

No one religious body holds the whole of truth, and whatever is likely to show even some one side of it will gain followers and live down any attempted repression.

This objective assessment from the Boston Transcript offers a glimpse into how the secular press attempted to contextualize the rapid rise of the church among the era's diverse faiths.

What It's Really About

The central argument concerns the primacy of Mind over matter. The book insists that the healing of the sick, as demonstrated by the Nazarene, is a repeatable, scientific law accessible to those who spiritualize their thoughts. Beneath the accounts of bricks and mortar, the book grapples with the tension between traditional orthodoxy and a new, metaphysical understanding of Christianity. It poses questions about the nature of religious authority and the legitimacy of healing as a central tenet of faith. It is also an argument about the role of the individual in "reconstructing" their relationship to God, suggesting that human reliance on material tools is an obstacle to understanding the absolute power of Truth.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the history of religion in America will find this a fascinating, if sometimes challenging, primary source. It offers a rare look at how a new movement managed its own public relations, curating its successes and framing its controversies during the late nineteenth century. The tone is consistently elevated, reflecting the author’s deep commitment to her cause, which can feel quite formal and distinct from modern, conversational writing.

Those who enjoy period documents will appreciate the inclusion of contemporary journalism, which provides a necessary friction to the author’s more lofty prose. You will encounter the specific, sometimes flowery, dialect of the 1890s and the intense religious fervor of the period. Be prepared for a book that is essentially a commemorative archive; it is not a traditional biography or a novel, but a collection meant to preserve a moment of institutional triumph. It is best read as a study in how a movement defines itself and how it wishes to be remembered by posterity. Readers who value the intersection of faith, public opinion, and historical change will find much to consider in these pages, especially in observing how the author navigates the scrutiny of a society that was often skeptical of her claims.