Page:The Life of Mary Baker Eddy (Wilbur).djvu/60

30 religion. The silly gossip of their world reported that she would not study her catechism. They said that Mary had a high temper for all her learning, she of whom her mother had said, “When do you ever see Mary angry?” They even said that Mr. Baker had reported in his anguish to his clergyman, “If Mary Magdalene had seven devils, our Mary has ten.” The struggle, it may be seen, was no casual argument, but a deep wrestle of souls. At last the child succumbed to an illness and the family doctor was summoned. When Mark Baker drove to fetch him his religious intemperance must have given way to paternal affection and fear. He is said to have stood up in his wagon and lashed his horse, crying out to a neighbor who accosted him that Mary was dying.

The physician declared Mary stricken with fever. He left medicines, recommending her to her mother’s most watchful care and admonishing her father to desist from discussions. Mrs. Eddy has said of what followed:

My mother, as she bathed my burning temples, bade me lean on God’s love, which would give me rest if I went to Him in prayer, as I was wont to do, seeking His guidance. I prayed; and a soft glow of ineffable joy came over me. The fever was gone and I rose and dressed myself in a normal condition of health. Mother saw this and was glad. The physician marveled; and the “horrible decree” of Predestination—as John Calvin rightly called his own tenet—forever lost its power over me.