but had access to her manuscripts through another student and copied them, or portions of them, for his private perusal. Leaving Lynn for a three years’ sojourn in Southern and Western states, he carried these copies about with him, pondering and studying them. Being awakened to a faith which he but partially grasped, he returned to Lynn and attempted to practise Mind-healing without further acquaintance with the author of the manuscripts.
Mrs. Glover heard of this man and his efforts to practise her doctrine. She smiled at the excited students who reported the facts to her and sent a messenger to him with a note which read: “Mr. Spofford, I tender you a cordial invitation to join my next class and receive my instruction in healing the sick without medicine, — without money and without price.” So Mr. Spofford became one of those students who because of his qualities was given his instruction gratis.[1]
- ↑ Mr. Spofford recently made an affidavit to the effect that he met Mary Baker Glover in 1870, that she taught metaphysical healing from manuscripts the authorship of which she attributed to P. P. Quimby. Yet Daniel Spofford, shortly after his graduation from her class in May, 1875, unequivocally ascribed to this same Mary Baker Glover the authorship and discovery of Christian Science and signed his name to a resolution drawn up for the purpose of creating an organization of Christian Scientists. Mr. Spofford himself produces the data which contradicts his own affidavit. The author has recently visited Mr. Spofford at his present home in a country settlement between Haverhill and Amesbury. I went for the express purpose of asking him to explain the discrepancy between his statements of Mrs. Eddy’s teachings, the one in his affidavit printed in McClure’s Magazine for May, 1907, and the one in the resolution which he helped to draw up in 1875. Mr. Spofford is to-day a man about sixty-five, slightly bent in carriage, with clear blue eyes and whitened hair. His manner is very gentle and courteous, and his personality sensitive and I should say, idealistic. Mr. Spofford made
