Divinity Course and General Collectanea

Oakes, R. F., Compiler. Divinity Course and General Collectanea. Freehold, NJ: Rare Book Company, (1933) 2006.

This compilation of statements recalled by students close to Mary Baker Eddy remains controversial, as acknowledged by the compiler, R.F. Oakes. Better known as the “blue book,” it consists of notes recorded in Eddy’s home by Lida Fitzpatrick, Laura E. Sargent, George H. Kinter, and others. Gilbert Carpenter and his son, Gilbert Jr., collected copies of writings attributed to Eddy and her students and made them available to those they considered ‘advanced’ students. Carpenter privately printed the Fitzpatrick notes in 1933 and gathered together a miscellaneous collection of ‘watches,’ prayers, and arguments in 1950. Oakes worked closely with Carpenter to complete this compilation (and an accompanying ‘red book’). Fitzpatrick’s ‘Divinity Course’ notes are her daily record of lessons for workers who came to serve in Eddy’s household in her later years. The ‘Watches’ consist of specific instructions from Eddy on topics requiring special prayer. The rest of the articles and statements are further instructions from Eddy. The Mary Baker Eddy Library offers to readers, “Given the mix of authentic and questionable materials in these books, don’t hesitate to contact the Research and Reference staff if you have a question about a specific piece in either the ‘red book’ or ‘blue book.’”

ISBN-10: 1893107566
ISBN-13 (Softcover): 978-1893107564

For more, see:

Read “What are the ‘blue book’ and the ‘red book’?” on The Mary Baker Eddy Library website.

This reference is written by an ‘independent’ Christian Scientist and is included in the bibliography because of its historical value. For further explanation, click here.