Today (1/14/2012), I participated in the Mary Baker Eddy Library's book discussion about We Knew Mary Baker Eddy, Expanded Edition, Volume 1. This is the first of two discussions. The second will be Feb. 4 at 11 AM PST and will discuss the last half of the book, beginning with John Lathrop's reminiscence on p. 258. To participate on the 4th, either call or email the research room at the MBE Library for a reservation (research@mbelibrary.org).

The discussion today began with background information, which I'm sharing here. It was given by Amanda Gustin, a researcher at the MBE Library. The Library has over 800 accounts written by people well after the events took place, sometimes more than 30 years later. They consist in length of a few paragraphs to Tomlinson's 1,000 typed pages.

Writing reminiscences of religious leaders is a well established practice. Even the book of Luke in the Bible can be considered a reminiscence. It's author interviewed people and recorded the interviews. Reminiscences often give valuable insights into the work of the authors, as well as the subject. The reminiscences about Eddy often contain a "conversion story," how the author came to Christian Science and why s/he decided to explore it more fully.

It's important to remember that reminiscences are records of the author's memory of events. They don't record the actual conversations that take place. Reminiscences are valuable, but they also must be used carefully.

We Knew Mary Baker Eddy was originally published as a series of four books, in 1943, 1950, 1953, and 1973. These four slim books were compiled into one volume in 1979. Ten of the accounts were delivered as talks at The Mother Church and subsequently published in the Christian Science Sentinel. In the new, expanded edition, three of the accounts were expanded: Bartlett, Knott, and Lathrop. Four new accounts were added: Farlow, Hering, Salchow, and Sargent.

Wording was restored to the original. For instance, in Marth Wilcox's account, she recounts tucking Eddy into bed. In the 1979 edition, part of Eddy's response, "Nighty night," was omitted. One can only suppose that it didn't fit with the book's editors' stereotype of Eddy in 1979. Yet, it adds a lot to the relationship between Eddy and her household. This is a reminder that we need to examine our stereotypes as we read any book about Eddy.

Even in the new volume, the reminiscences were edited. Choices were made to bring out who Eddy was, rather than the minutiae of her life. For example, the cook's listings of household meals have been omitted.

All of these reminiscences are available in their entirety at the MBE Library. The reference librarians will help you obtain a copy of any that you might like to read.

It should be noted that the Library staff curates the Reminiscence Collection, but the editors at the Christian Science Publishing Society compiled the book. To hear more about that process, the Christian Science Reading Room at The Mother Church is having a Q&A with the production manager of the book on Tuesday, January 24, at 2 PM PST. The conference telephone number is (209) 647-1600, participant code 95012. Registration is not necessary.

We Knew Mary Baker Eddy, Expanded Edition, Volume 1 is available in our Christian Science Reading Room in La Cañada Flintridge. The cost is $34.99 plus California sales tax.