In this book, three investigators present accurate knowledge and clear exposition of the history and methods of Christian science.
Dr. Riley, psychologist and specialist in American philosophy, deals with the sources of Christian science, demonstrating plagiarism from Shakerism, Mesmerism and Quimbyism, together with inheritances from "Mother" Ann Lee and distortions of the Neo-Platonism of Bronson Alcott. Written correspondence, parallel passages, chronology and minute facts of Mrs. Eddy's life are employed as proof. Whatever of Christian science was original with its founder, Dr. Riley considers to have been the product of her abnormal psychologic processes. Given the facts in the life of any demagogue and a knowledge of mental mechanisms, it is not hard to put in doubt his mental soundness. Dr. Riley finds in Mrs. Eddy such symptoms as amnesia, automatic writing, delusions, hallucinations and obsessions.
Mr. Peabody, who as writer, lecturer and lawyer has come to grips with Christian