 |  |
|
NEW
EXHIBIT IN THE LONGYEAR PORTRAIT GALLERY
Imparting
a fresh impulse: Mary Baker
Eddy teaches the class of 1898
A new exhibit drawn from art, artifacts, photographs, and reminiscences
in the Longyear Museum Collection.
It
is November 1898. Almost a decade has passed since Mary
Baker Eddy has taught a class in Christian Science. Increasingly
concerned about the quality of teaching in the Field, she has
decided to teach again. Almost seventy participants have been
sent invitations to come to Concord, New Hampshire. Not knowing
why they have been called, they obediently assemble in Christian
Science Hall. It will be one of the most significant events
of their lives. And for the Christian Science movement, it will
provide a spiritual impetus for future teaching and healing.
|
|
Title
Wall |
|
|
|
|
While living on the outskirts of Concord, New Hampshire,
Mrs. Eddy purchased a property in town and had it remodeled
to accommodate meetings of local Christian Scientists. They
held their first services in the new hall December 5, 1897,
and the following November it was the site of the 1898 class.
The building was later taken down to make way for the granite
structure of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Concord,
also a gift of Mrs. Eddy. Two stained-glass windows from
Christian Science Hall (one depicting the cross and crown,
above) are part of the Longyear Museum collection and are
now on exhibit.
|
|
Full
view of the Portrait Gallery
with the new exhibit
| The
Museum has in its collection some 150 portraits of
students and followers of Christian Science from its
early history. Many of these portraits were commissioned
in the 1920s by the founder of this Museum, Mary Beecher
Longyear. This exhibit draws on that unique collection.
To see other selected portraits in the collection
click here. |
|
|
Sue Harper Mims, C.
S. D.
Oil on canvas portrait from
life by Adelaide Everhart.
Gift of Sue Harper Mims Association.
Longyear Museum Collection, AW0364
| Mrs.
Eddy selected some members for the class who were more experienced
in years, and more experienced in the practice of Christian
Science. As a member of the class recalled:
She
said how glad she was to see us all, how she had heard
of us as teachers, lecturers, and workers in the Field,
and had heard of our work with great satisfaction.
- Sue Harper Mims, C.S.D.
|
|
|
|
Wall
with various portaits and artifacts |
In
1898 I selected and taught a class of students, glad to
give to the world such men and women to demonstrate Christian
Science.
- Mary Baker Eddy
|
|
|
| |
Preparing
the next generation
When
Mrs. Eddy was asked why she chose so many young people for
the class, she replied, in substance, because I want my
teaching carried on.
- Emma C. Shipman
|
|
|
| |
Emma
Easton Newman embroidering
Emma
Easton Newman, C.S.D.
Oil on canvas portrait from life by W.C. Tanner. Original Longyear
Collection. Longyear Museum, AW0012
|
|
| |
|
