Mary Baker Eddy, Founder of Christian Science, Writes About the Error of Her Teachings

December 17, 1916
Received by James Padgett
Washington, D.C.

Let me write a few lines, as I am so anxious to declare some facts, which when on earth were not facts to my understanding and beliefs. And oh, the pity of it all.

Today, I was present at the church where the preacher discussed and criticized my teachings and me, also, and I am compelled to admit that some of his criticisms were true and justified.

I am Mrs. Eddy and the founder of the sect which bears the high sounding name of Christian Science, and the doctrines of which are neither Christian nor science as I now know from actual experience in the spirit world, where many of my teachings are shown to be not in accord with truth and so misleading.

I now realize that my mind and soul were not in accord as regards the truth while I lived a mortal, and that my mind was superior in causing me to have certain beliefs, which I left to the world in the form of doctrines contained in my text book and my other writings.

My soul possessed a considerable degree of the Divine Love, as that Love has been explained to you, and when I came to the spirit world, that Love was my salvation, notwithstanding the errors of many of my teachings as to mind and matter and non-reality of sin and evil.

I am too weak to write more, but I will soon come for I must declare the truths.

Good night.
Mrs. Eddy