The Onward and Upward Chain: Pioneers of Christian Science in the 1880s

Longyear Museum, The. The Onward and Upward Chain: Pioneers of Christian Science in the 1880s [60-minute Documentary film]. 2004.

This documentary video is a valuable resource for scholars of history, social science, and religion, as well as spiritual healers. It recounts the story of the earliest growth of Christian Science in the Midwestern US of the 1880s. Beginning with a dramatic account of the healing of a boy with symptoms of typhoid fever, the story includes many significant healings that turned patients into students of Christian Science. Despite severe persecution and ridicule, many early patients and students became healers themselves, devoting their lives to spreading the news of Christ’s present healing power. These pioneers represented all walks of life—farmers, businessmen, housewives, clerks, simple and sophisticated. Janet Colman, herself healed by Mary Baker Eddy, was appointed by Eddy to bring Christian Science to the Midwest. Colman exemplified what Eddy sought in her students: humble listeners full of love, willing to heal and teach. Colman’s patients, students and students’ students multiplied, many of them becoming major contributors to the establishment of the Christian Science movement. Colman reminded her students: “Our Leader told us when fear came to us to remember our past successes, to remember the many times that Christian Science has helped us, stills fear. And what God has done once, He will do again.”

Access via WorldCat.