Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896

Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896 was first published in 1897. It is comprised of pieces written primarily by Mary Baker Eddy, taken from The Christian Science Journal. Miscellaneous Writings offered a single volume for readers to easily access this selection of Eddy’s writings, which had previously only been available in the Journal. It also provided a way for Eddy to address a number of questions about Christian Science, rather than having to respond individually to all the questions she received. Eddy made a number of changes to articles, between their publication in the Journal and their final publication in Miscellaneous Writings.

Edward P. Bates had suggested originally, in 1895, that Eddy collect her writings from the Journal’s first issue in 1883, up through the present, into a single volume. During the second half of 1896, Eddy selected and revised these articles for publication. To work on Miscellaneous Writings, Eddy engaged the assistance of Jessie C.H. Gorham. Eddy had become dissatisfied with the work of James Henry Wiggin, her previous copy editor, who she felt took too many liberties in editing her work. Gorham had been working as an associate editor in various capacities at The Christian Science Publishing Society since 1889. Eddy and Gorham maintained an extensive correspondence over the following months, as Eddy worked to revise her articles for publication in book form.

The volume was ready for publication in February 1897. Eddy had originally planned to title the book Repaid Pages, but that was changed in January 1897. A brief announcement in the February issue of The Christian Science Journal mentioned the upcoming volume: By the 10th of February next, Mr. Armstrong, the publisher, expects to have in his hands ready for delivery, a new book of our Leader, the Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy, entitled "Miscellaneous Writings." It is a book of several hundred pages, and its mere mention by us is sufficient at this time. (“A New Book by Mrs. Eddy,” The Christian Science Journal, February 1897, 556.)

A fuller explanation of the new volume was included in the March Journal issue. (See “The New Book,” Journal, March 1897, 622-624.)

Miscellaneous Writings was dedicated “To Loyal Christian Scientists” and contained guidance for students of Christian Science on their practice of Christian Science and daily life. It also offered a sort of organizational history, capturing Eddy’s addresses, sermons, letters to The Mother Church and branch churches, answers to questions and more, all in one place.

Miscellaneous Writings was warmly received, and Christian Scientists wrote to her expressing their gratitude. It was particularly important to newer students, who had not had the opportunity to study with Mary Baker Eddy or obtain back issues of The Christian Science Journal. When Miscellaneous Writings first came out, Eddy published a notice in the March 1897 issue of The Christian Science Journal, asking that all Christian Science teachers cease teaching for one year so that everyone could learn instead from this new volume. Miscellaneous Writings continues to be published and studied by Christian Scientists today.