Public Figure, Private Life

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Mary Baker Eddy’s daily life

Pleasant View sunset, painted by James F. Gilman

She wrote: “I want quiet and a Christian life alone with God.” For that purpose her day at Pleasant View ran like clockwork. From dawn to dusk, she arranged her every moment to set aside specific times for prayer, which she found essential to maintaining her mission.

She arose, with a prayer, at 6:00 A.M. By eight o’clock she was at her desk. Invariably, after praying for guidance, she would open her Bible and read the first verses her eyes lit upon. Then she would reflect on and pray with that passage for a period of time.

She enjoyed inspecting her first-floor parlors, dining room, library - sometimes coming to the kitchen to discuss menus or recipes. Back in her study by 9:30, she turned to her morning’s work.

Pleasant View, rear, showing veranda and tower
with windows of Mrs. Eddy’s study on second floor

At 11:00 A.M. on the dot, she set her work aside and went on the back veranda, summer and winter, for an hour alone to “talk to God,” as she told her household.

Mid-day dinner for her and the household was strictly at noon.

Her daily carriage drive at 1:00 P.M. gave her further time for reflection. She told one of her workers: “I have uttered some of my best prayers in a carriage.”*

By 2:00 she was back at her desk. Calvin Frye or one of the secretaries would bring her the afternoon mail, unless she had appointments with church officers, advisers, journalists, or others. She enjoyed occasional visits with students and old friends. Members of her household recalled how she relished hearing or telling a good story. And she enjoyed the infrequent times when she could entertain the children of visitors.

Mrs. Eddy’s bedroom at Pleasant View

At 5:00 Mrs. Eddy had a light supper - simple New England fare: soups, meat such as liver or squab, fish, creamed toast, cereal, and one of her favorite desserts such as home-made ice cream or custard pudding.

After supper there was time for the household, including Mrs. Eddy, to read the newspapers and chat. Some of the staff pursued pastimes like photography, astronomy, or reading. Sometimes they all joined in singing favorite old songs and hymns. Most days, no matter how busy, were pleasant and ended peacefully.

By 9:30 she was usually in bed. Always within reach on her bedside table were her copy of Science and Health and a pad and pencil. Problems calling for the Leader’s attention did not stop at bedtime. Sometimes she rang for her staff after she had retired, and gave instructions for handling a particular problem. And she was known to work late into the night if there was a special call for direction in church affairs.