QUARTERLY NEWS - MUSEUM and Historic Sites

VOL. 12, NO. 1 PUBLISHED BY LONGYEAR HISTORICAL SOCIETY SPRING 1975

PORTRAITS OF MARY BAKER EDDY ON DISPLAY

An exhibit of approximately thirty-five paintings and reproduc­ tions of Mary Baker Eddy will shortly be opened to the public at the Mary Baker Eddy Museum. The earliest portrait on exhibition is that made by Edward P. Billings, painted in 1878. Two of those to be displayed are reproduced here. Over the last fifty years, Longyear Historical Society has collected, either by gift or purchase, portraits and photo­ graphs of Mary Baker Eddy and those associated with her in the Portrait by Duane Haley Portrait by Eileen Ayrton early days of the However, portraits of Mrs. Eddy historical information all in one movement. Some of the portraits have generally been displayed in place. were commissioned by Mary various galleries of the Museum A great many of these paintings Beecher Longyear as early as 1914. over past years and several are based on, or are actual tinted The portraits of the early workers portraits more recently received photographs so that the reproduc­ have been on display in the have never been on display. tion is essentially accurate. Others, Museum for many years. The Consequently, the collection of all of course, are the artist's im­ loose-leaf book, "Pioneers in these portraits into two freshly pression after seeing Mrs. Eddy, or Christian Science", published by painted galleries provides the were developed from studying a the Museum in 1972, contains visitor with inspiring depictions of number of photographs. reproductions of the portraits and the Discoverer and Founder of The exhibition is scheduled to be accompanying biographies. Christian Science and interesting completed about May 1.

EDWARD ANCEL KIMBALL

In the early 1890's the Christian several years been seeking to Science movement was moving understand the truth which had forward, with The Mother Church brought healing to him in 1887. and its branches being welded into Mr. Kimball was in his forties a unified whole. Many early when he turned to Christian inquirers into this movement in Science as his life work. He was a studying the Christian Science discerning observer, - analyzing, textbook, and in receiving instruc­ evaluating, and endeavoring to tion, were preparing themselves to understand his observations. He fill important roles in this forward later was a lecturer and teacher, move. Among these was Edward A. speaking with conviction and Kimball of Chicago, who had for enthusiasm. He often brought out Quarterly News Spring 1975 some profound truth by starting with an observation familiar to ©Longyear Foundation 19.75 Vol. 12, No.1 Subscription, $5.00 Annually many and transcribing it into a (Includes Activities at Longyear) rich spiritual lesson. His honesty, Sent without charge to Members of Longyear his logic, and clear thinking were

November 2015: Minor edits have been made to this newsletter to reflect new 177 information that has come to light since the original publication. reverence for Mrs. Eddy is shown called), which had been newly in the following quotation from a reorganized. Mrs. Eddy made two letter he sent to Irving Tomlinson visits . to Chicago, the first in 1884 in 1909. "All things are possible to and a second in 1888. Thereafter . Mind and the possibility must be she followed closely the growth of expressed by thought and I am the Chicago church. An early persuaded that all things are service of Mr. Kimball's to the possible to her."1 church (renamed First Church of * * * Christ, Scientist, of Chicago in Edward Ancel Kimball, born in 1892) was recommended by Mrs. 1845 and educated in Buffalo, New Eddy. This service was to monitor York, was the son of Lovel and the weekly Bible class for the study Elvira (St. John) Kimball. He was a of the International Sunday School descendant of an Englishman, Lesson then used in the Christian Richard Kimball, who came to Science Quarterly. He served in America from Rattelsden in Suffolk. this capacity until the International After a brief residence in Water­ Series was replaced by Mrs. town, a town in the Massachusetts Eddy's own copyrighted lessons. Bay Colony, following his arrival in (See Quarterly News, Autumn 1964, America in 1634, he settled in Vol. 1 No. 3.) nearby Ipswich. Among Mr. When preaching was replaced in Kimball's ancestors were also Christian Science churches in 1895 Kate Davidson Kimball and daughter Edna Governor William Bradford and by two readers reading the Elder William Brewster. Governor Lesson-Sermon, Mr. Kimball be­ Bradford was one of the authors of came one of the readers in the powerful factors in reaching his the Mayflower Compact and second Chicago church.' Mrs. Ruth B. audiences. governor of Plymouth Colony. Ewing was the other. Shortly after His interest in Christian Science Edward's father passed on when becoming a member of the Chicago came about in this way. For Edward was three years of age, church, Mr. Kimball was elected to fourteen months in the mid-1880's he and at seventeen he set out to the Board of Trustees, composed of had been in a New York make his career. Reaching Chicago men, and Mrs. Kimball to the sanatorium under expert treatment in 1865 at the age of twenty, he Board of Directors or Executive for a malady of long duration. entered the lumber business. In the Committee, made up of women. Finding no help, he and Mrs. early 1870's he turned his attention Meanwhile, plans were maturing Kimball, who was also ill, started to the manufacturing of paving for the World's Parliament of on a round-the-world search for blocks and roofing materials for his Religions in the Columbian Exposi­ health. However, disappointed in company, and became a member of tion (World's Fair) of 1893. This finding neither health nor en­ the firm of Barrett, Arnold and was an opportunity to present couragement from medical special­ Kimball, - afterward Arnold and Christian Science as one of the ists in Britain, they returned to Kimball. Later, after he had left world's religions. (See "Chicago America without going further. the company, his son, Wallace and Its Early Workers", Quarterly Meanwhile, a younger sister of Mr. Davidson Kimball, acquired part of News, Autumn 1972, Vol. 9, No. 3.) Kimball's, Mrs. Harriet Kimball his father's stock and became a Both Mr. Kimball and Mrs. Ewing Scott of Atlanta, Georgia, had been member of the firm. From this were to become active in this healed through Christian Science of period Mr. Kimball devoted his endeavor. An exhibit of literature an ailment that had kept her entire time to the Cause of confined to a health resort. An­ Christian Science and to the other sister, Mrs. P. L. Under­ service of Mrs. Eddy. wood, met the Kimballs' incoming Mr. Kimball was married in boat at New York and gave them Elgin, Illinois on May 8, 1873 to information how they could avail Kate Davidson, daughter of Daniel themselves of this healing truth. Davidson of Chicago. They had two Mr. and Mrs. Kimball grasped at children, Wallace Davidson and the possibility of finding health Edna. The latter became an active through this new faith. Mrs. practitioner and teacher of Chris­ Kimball was quickly healed, but his tian Science. Although Mrs. more obdurate belief took more Kimball was authorized to teach time. The following spring, how­ Christian Science, she left the field ever, both Mr. and Mrs. Kimball to her bus band, and became a entered Mrs. Eddy's March Pri­ busy practitioner and co-worker mary class. A year later they were with him in his varied assignments. in her 1889 March class in the * * 'I< Massachusetts Metaphysical Col­ In 1890 Mr. and Mrs. Kimball lege, which closed in October 1889. joined the Church of Christ First Church of Christ, Scientist, That Mr. Kimball had a love and (Scientist) Chicago (as it was then Chicago, Illinois

178 November 2015: Minor edits have been made to this newsletter to reflect new information that has come to light since the original publication. was displayed in Exposition Hall near 55th Street, and, on September 20 and 22, programs by Christian Scientists were presented in the Art Palace. A booklet, "Questions Pertaining to Christian Science" - a synopsis of answers by Mr. Kimball to questions asked by his audience following his address on Christian Science before the summer Bloom­ ington (Illinois) Chautauqua in 1892, was made available at the Exposition. This booklet was reprinted from the Bloomington Daily Bulletin for redistribution at the Fair. In 1894 it was printed and sold by The Christian Science Publishing Society under the title, "Answers to Questions in Christian Science", by Edward A. Kimball. By 1894 the Chicago church had Mr. and Mrs. Kimball outgrown its seating capacity and Mr. Kimball, who had previously Mrs. Eddy invited Mr. and Mrs. 1898 to serve on the newly been appointed chairman of a Edward Kimball to attend her 1898 constituted Board of Lectureship committee charged with finding a class and requested him to read to consisting of five members. These larger space for meetings, recom­ the assembled seventy in Christian were Rev. George Tomkins, Rev. mended the Auditorium Theatre. Science Hall, a letter of welcome William P. McKenzie, Rev. Irving · This new auditorium, seating 5000, from her. Just as he finished C. Tomlinson, Mr. Carol Norton, and considered one of the most reading it, Mrs. Eddy entered the and Mr. Kimball who was made magnificent halls in the country, hall and began to teach. At the Chairman, a post he held until his was secured and occupied until the close of the class, both Mr. and passing. He resigned as First church moved into its own edifice. Mrs. Kimball were included among Reader of First Church of Christ, It was here beginning in 1895 that those who received the degree of Scientist, Chicago, in May 1899, in Mr. Kimball served as First Reader C. S.D. order to give full time to the Board with Mrs. Ruth B. Ewing as Second A contract with Mr. Kimball was of Lectureship and other work for Reader. He also conducted the made on October 9, 1899 whereby Mrs. Eddy. Friday Evening Meetings until the copyrights of all Mrs. Eddy's A resolution of gratitude for his changed to Wednesday in 1898. At published writings were transfer­ services to First Church was this time Frederic W. Root was red to him with the exception of passed by the membership and a organist; he later was the author of the Church Manual. These copy­ copy suitably inscribed and bound the words of six hymns in the rights remained in Mr. Kimball's was presented to him by a Christian Science Hymnal. When name until transferred some years committee from the church. the order of service permitted a later to a special trust that Mrs. An appreciation was also soloist, Bicknell Young, subsequent­ Eddy had set up at that time to included in the 1899 annual report ly Christian Science lecturer and receive them. Her reason for of the church which closed with teacher, became the church's first creation of this trusteeship of three this tribute, "What his staunch soloist. persons was that she felt she could adherence to Principle, breadth of The Sunday school met after the not "serve God and mammon." VISIOn, and his apt words of regular service and Mr. Kimball Meanwhile, responsible appoint­ wisdom meant to First Church of taught both young people and ments in First Church of Christ, Christ, Scientist, while he dwelt adults as the need arose. Bicknell Scientist, Chicago, continued, includ­ among us, only those, perhaps, who Young's son, Hilgard B. Young, was ing active participation as a worked with him can measure." in Mr. Kimball's class of boys and member of the Building Committee His experience in Chicago may he recounted the following recently in the construction of its beautiful have contributed much to the as to his Sunday school teacher: edifice, dedicated November 14, vision and confidence expressed "His (Mr. Kimball's) modesty 1897. On November 17 Mrs. Eddy three years later at the June 18, surpassed his authority and telegraphed to Mr. Kimball and 1902 Annual Meeting of The prestige. Mr. Kimball was the rock, Mrs. Ewing, "Beloved Readers of Mother Church held in Mechanics albeit gentle and reserved in every Christian Science Church in Hall. At that meeting he proposed a act. His voice was low and forceful Chicago, your dedicatory services plan for the membership to make and later as a lecturer could be were perfect and perfection is no available a sum of two million heard in the far reaches of the trifle - Mary Baker Eddy."1 dollars to be drawn on as needed largest auditorium." Mrs. Eddy called Mr. Kimball in to erect a suitable extension

November 2015: Minor edits have been made to this newsletter to reflect new 179 information that has come to light since the original publication. auditorium for The Mother Church ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ANSWERS TO QUESTIUNS capable of seating four or five thousand persons. "The necessity here indicated is beyond cavil." he Christian Science. CHRISTIAN SCIENCE said, "beyond resistance in your...... thought" [ The First Church of KI,W ,\ tm A. kIll BAI.L. CHRISTIAN SCIENCE: Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, COMP.-\SSIONATE 1\PI'EAL p. 8].1 REMARKS OF· Mr. Kimball gave his 200th EDWARD A. K1MBALL, C.S.D. lecture in Kansas City at Conven­ Hon. C. C. Bonney, tion Hall on Sunday afternoon, September 30, 1900. (In this- same hall four years earlier, William Jennings Bryan had been nomi­ nated for the presidency.) The l"t·..-.DIIM> "' 1'11& ot•tmA."' lll"U:l(t·•- 1'\'kiii'Hitln IOCIITY Cli""TIAlf kf·ti':"H B !"t lll.l'~lll"':r; mM'IttY, ,,\I.)IOl"tll ""'~" ... T.t'UI "tll,f't'l report of the lecture in The ...... -.~,-...... IZUIUV'II.I.I\"-"Atllt!Ol'H" Christian Science Journal incorpo­ .... rated the following excerpt from A. Kimball published in 1895. one present, "As I attended the Left, Title page of booklet by Edward Right, Booklet published in 1909. lecture given at Kansas City, September 30, by Edward A. Science Journal for June 1904 the There he passed on, on August 13, Kimball, before an audience of ten following: "The long term of the 1909 after twenty-two years of thousand people, I looked on in incumbent teacher in the Board of devoted service to Christian wonder and admiration, and Education, Mr. Edward A. Kimball, Science. thought, Is there any other religion C.S.D., expires in June, when he Mrs. Eddy wrote of him in tl,le on earth that would bring together retires crowned with honors - his Christian Science Sentinel and in such a throng of people upon such Teacher and Leader loving him, his The Christian Science Journal, (See short notice? The speaker seemed students praising him, and the race also The First Church of Christ, inspired, and indeed the multitude benefited by his labors. May his Scientist, and Miscellany, page were fed, and many went away successor 'go and do likewise.' "1 297): "My beloved Edward A. healed, returning to their homes Mr. and Mrs. Kimball kept their Kimball, whose clear, correct rejoicing that their burdens had residence in Chicago for many teaching of Christian Science has fallen away." Mr. Kimball gave years. Their spacious grounds and been and is an inspiration to the­ hundreds of lectures throughout home located in a beautiful whole field, is here now as the United States and abroad, residential section of the city veritably as when he visited me a traveling hundreds of thousands of provided a harmonious center for year ago. "1 miles in so doing. their healing, teaching and writing. Anne Holliday Webb When Mrs. Eddy closed her He was an enthusiastic grower of Massachusetts Metaphysical Col­ chrysanthemums and frequently lege in 1889, she retained her exhibited in local flower shows, Biographical information included charter. In 1899 she organized the sometimes serving as a judge. His in this article came to Longyear Board of Education for the purpose hobby led him to have his own Historical Society through the of providing a consistent flow of conservatory and greenhouse. kindness of Horatio H. Wait, well-taught teachers of Christian In both 1908 and 1909 Mr. grandson of Edward A. Kimball. Science to meet the need of the Kimball carried the message of Mr. Wait drew not only on family movement as it expanded, and Christian Science to Europe, records, but also on the collections called Mr. Kimball to teach the speaking on one occasion in of The Wait Trust, Valparaiso, first class in this newly organized Queens Hall, London, to an over­ Indiana. Thanks are also due him Board. Other teachers associated flow audience. On his return to for permission to use freely his with the Board were Mrs. Laura America in the summer of 1909, he own biographical sketch, Edward Lathrop, Judge Septimus J. Hanna, stopped briefly in New York on his Ancel Kimball, as well as other and Dr. Alfred E. Baker. way to Chicago. Mr. Edward A. data. Mr. Kimball also taught Normal Merritt, a close friend, met his classes in 1900, 1901 and 1902, and train in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, near 1Used by perm1sswn of The two Primary classes in 1903. He, Cleveland, and Mr. Kimball stop­ Christian Science Board of therefore, had a large number of ped off at the Merritt's home. Directors students in the Board of Education, of whom more than 125 received LONG YEAR FOUNDATION: Board of Trustees: Mrs. Marian H. Holbrook, certificates to teach. He had begun Frederick D. Berberich, Robert C. Dale, Mrs. Marion D. Pierce, Director: teaching Primary classes about Richard C. Molloy; Assistant to Director: Mrs. Char lis F. Vogel; QUARTERLY 1895, Mrs. Eddy encouraging him NEWS is published four times annually, in the Spring, Summer, Autumn and in this work in a letter to him of Winter, at the headquarters of Longyear Historical Society, 120 Seaver Street, March 23, 1896. Brookline, Massachusetts 02146. Inquiries about memberships, subscriptions, and its services are welcome. Mrs. Eddy wrote in The Christian

November 2015: Minor edits have been made to this newsletter to reflect new 180 information that has come to light since the original publication. Printed in U.S.A.