“Did you ever hear of Jesus’ taking medicine himself, or giving it to others?” inquired the speaker.  “Then why should we worry ourselves about sickness and disease?  If we become sick, God will care for us, and will send to us those who have faith, who believe in His unlimited and divine power.  Mrs. Eddy was strictly an ardent follower after God.  She had faith in Him, and she cured herself of a deathly disease through the mediation of her God.  Then she secluded herself from the world for three years and studied and meditated over His divine Word.  She delved deep into the Biblical passages, and at the end of the period came from her seclusion one of the greatest Biblical scholars of the age.  Her mission was then the mission of a Christian, to do good and heal the sick, and this duty she faithfully performed.  She of herself had no power.  But God has fulfilled His promises to her and to the world.  If you have faith, you can move mountains.”

Mrs. Henrietta N. Cole is also a very prominent member of the church.  When seen yesterday she emphasized herself as being of the same theory as Mrs. Copeland.  Mrs. Cole has made a careful and searching study in the beliefs of Scientists, and is perfectly versed in all their beliefs and doctrines.  She stated that man of himself has no power, but that all comes from God.  She placed no credit whatever in the reports from New York that Mrs. Eddy has been accredited as having been deified.  She referred the reporter to the large volume which Mrs. Eddy had herself written, and said that no more complete and yet concise idea of her belief could be obtained than by a perusal of it.

* * * * *

[New York Herald, February 6, 1895]

MRS. EDDY SHOCKED

[By Telegraph to the Herald]

Concord, N.H., February 4, 1895.—­The article published in the Herald on
January 29, regarding a statement made by Mrs. Laura Lathrop, pastor of the
Christian Science congregation that meets every Sunday in Hodgson Hall, New
York, was shown to Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy, the Christian Science
“Discoverer,” to-day.

Mrs. Eddy preferred to prepare a written answer to the interrogatory, which she did in this letter, addressed to the editor of the Herald:—­

    “A despatch is given me, calling for an interview to answer for
    myself, ‘Am I the second Christ?’

“Even the question shocks me.  What I am is for God to declare in His infinite mercy.  As it is, I claim nothing more than what I am, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, and the blessing it has been to mankind which eternity enfolds.

    “I think Mrs. Lathrop was not understood.  If she said aught with
    intention to be thus understood, it is not what I have taught her,
    and not at all as I have heard her talk.