Of twelve-year-old Mary Baker, Jewel Spangler Smaus writes, "For Mary, a religious truth was just as substantial, and must be as straight, as one of the stone-wall boundaries in her father's fields."
The author's feeling for the New England of the early 1800's, and her love for all the members of the Baker family help to bring alive these early days in the life of a unique religious pioneer. To illustrate the story of Mary Baker's early life, Gordon Noble Converse has provided a series of photographs which capture the mood and character of nineteenth century New England.
The narrative begins on July 16, 1821, when Mary Baker was born at Bow, New Hampshire. Mary's close relationship with brothers and sisters is shown through excerpts from family letters not widely known before.
Documenting her story through the benefit of new research, Mrs. Smaus tells of Mary's schooling, marriage, and the difficult years of young womanhood which were to lead to spiritual discovery. As Mary Baker Eddy she was later to become the author of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, and the discoverer and founder of Christian Science.
A life-long Christian Scientist, and an experienced journalist and author, Mrs. Smaus is well qualified to tell the story of Mary Baker Eddy's early years. She is a member of the Authors League of America and is co-author of a biography of Alan Shepard, America's First Spaceman. She has been a reporter for the United Press and a contributor for many years to The Christian Science Monitor.