Resources by Baxter, Nancy Niblack

This second edition of “Mr. Dickey: Secretary” includes the same biographical information on Mary Baker Eddy as the first edition. But the second half of the book replaces Dickey’s ‘Memoirs’ with his ‘Chestnut Hill Album’—Dickey’s journals found after Baxter’s first edition. This collection highlights the agonizing challenges Eddy faced and the way she chose to deal with them.

Mary Baker Eddy wanted Dickey to write her biography, having rejected other biographical attempts as either too shallow or hostile. This book first consists of Baxter’s analysis of Dickey and his role as Eddy’s helper in her last years, and his own leadership role after her death in 1910. The latter half consists of Dickey’s memoirs which Eddy requested.

Baxter cites a century of mostly unwarranted publicity against the Christian Science Church, but feels some objections raised by the press clearly need examining. In particular, she addresses the Church’s singular focus on healing and promotes a healthy self-examination that should break the silence around failures. Sensible church policy and intelligent engagement with the public would help the Church to progress.