0.0 – Christian Science – 16 Books by Mary Baker Eddy – Bk 6 – Retrospection and Introspection – Chpt 17 – College and Church

                            COLLEGE AND CHURCH 

 1	    In 1867 I introduced the first purely metaphysical sys-
  	tem of healing since the apostolic days. I began by
 3	teaching one student Christian Science Mind-healing. 
  	From this seed grew the Massachusetts Metaphysical
  	College in Boston, chartered in 1881. No charter was
 6	granted for similar purposes after 1883. It is the only
  	College, hitherto, for teaching the pathology of spiritual
  	power, alias the Science of Mind-healing. 
 9	    My husband, Asa G. Eddy, taught two terms in my
  	College. After I gave up teaching, my adopted son,
  	Ebenezer J. Foster-Eddy, a graduate of the Hahnemann
12	Medical College of Philadelphia, and who also received a
  	certificate from Dr. W. W. Keen's (allopathic) Philadelphia
  	School of Anatomy and Surgery, — having renounced his
15	material method of practice and embraced the teach-
  	ings of Christian Science, taught the Primary, Normal,
  	and Obstetric class one term. Gen. Erastus N. Bates
18	taught one Primary class, in 1889, after  which I judged
  	it best to close the institution. These students of mine
  	were the only assistant teachers in the College. 
21	    The first Christian Scientist Association was organized
  	by myself and six of my students in 1876, on the Centen-
  	nial Day of our nation's freedom. At a meeting of the
24	Christian Scientist Association, on April 12, 1879, it was
 
  
  Retrospection and Introspection --- College and Church             44


1	voted to organize a church to commemorate the words
  	and works of our Master, a Mind-healing church, without
 3	a creed, to be called the Church of Christ, Scientist, the
  	first such church ever organized. The charter for this
  	church was obtained in June, 1879,¹ and during the same
 6	month the members, twenty-six in number, extended a
  	call to me to become their pastor. I accepted the call,
  	and was ordained in 1881, though I had preached five
 9	years before being ordained. 
  	    When I was its pastor, and in the pulpit every Sunday,
  	my church increased in members, and its spiritual growth
12	kept pace with its increasing popularity; but when obliged,
  	because of accumulating work in the College, to preach
  	only occasionally, no student, at that time, was found able
15	to maintain the church in its previous harmony and
  	prosperity. 
  	    Examining the situation prayerfully and carefully, noting
18	the church's need, and the predisposing and exciting cause
  	of its condition, I saw that the crisis had come when much
  	time and attention must be given to defend this church
21	from the envy and molestation of other churches, and
  	from the danger to its members which must always lie in
  	Christian warfare. At this juncture I recommended that
24	the church be dissolved. No sooner were my views made
  	known, than the proper measures were adopted to carry
  	them out, the votes passing without a dissenting voice. 
27	    This measure was immediately followed by a great re-
  	vival of mutual love, prosperity, and spiritual power. 
  	    The history of that hour holds this true record. Add-
30	ing to its ranks and influence, this spiritually organized

  	     ¹Steps were taken to promote the Church of Christ, Scientist,
  	 in April, May, and June; formal organization was accomplished and
33	 the charter obtained in August, 1879.
 
  
  Retrospection and Introspection --- College and Church             45


 1	Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, still goes on. A
  	new light broke in upon it, and more beautiful became
 3	the garments of her who "bringeth good tidings, that pub-
  	lisheth peace." 
  	    Despite the prosperity of my church, it was learned
 6	that material organization has its value and peril, and that
  	organization is requisite only in the earliest periods in
  	Christian history. After this material form of cohesion
 9	and fellowship has accomplished its end, continued organi-
  	zation retards spiritual growth, and should be laid off, — 
  	even as the corporeal organization deemed requisite in
12	the first stages of mortal existence is finally laid off, in
  	order to gain spiritual freedom and supremacy. 
  	    From careful observation and experience came my clue
15	to the uses and abuses of organization. Therefore, in ac-
  	cord with my special request, followed that noble, un-
  	precedented action of the Christian Scientist Association
18	connected with my College when dissolving that organiza-
  	tion, — in forgiving enemies, returning good for evil, in
  	following Jesus' command, "Whosoever shall smite thee
21	on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." I saw
  	these fruits of Spirit, long-suffering and temperance, ful-
  	fil the law of Christ in righteousness. I also saw that
24	Christianity has withstood less the temptation of popularity
  	than of persecution.SHOW ALL