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(CHRISTIAN SCIENCE). (MASSACHUSETTS). KIMBALL, EDWARD A. Lecture Delivered July 1, 1899. Holograph copy. 13 pp. 7 x 15 inches. Ink. Folds, some water staining on verso. Legible hand, bright. $2,500.00

 

    Known to religious scholars as the "Curtain Lecture", this holograph copy of a speech by Edward Ancel Kimball differs somewhat from later published versions and should be studied as an early draft.

     Kimball was born in 1845, in Erie County, Pennsylvania, and died in 1909 in Ohio. He held a C.S.D. and was a Member of the Board of Lectureship of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts.         He also lived in Chicago. "As Paul was to the early Christian church, so was Edward A. Kimball to the early Christian Science movement. He delivered more than 1,800 lectures on Christian Science, requiring more than 400,000 miles of travel, without airplanes! His ability to communicate the message to those unfamiliar with Christian Science was unrivaled. His lectures filled every hall to overflowing. His love and respect for Mary Baker Eddy and her revelation was indisputable, as is evident from his lectures and other writings. And apparently, like Paul, he had his share of physical discomfort, which he never let stop him." [Edward A. Kimball ?�� The "Paul" of Christian Science by Andrew Kidd, http://www.plainfieldcs.com]�?

     The lecture opens with the following paragraphs: "In speaking to Christian Scientists, it is no part of my work to sugar-coat with soft speeches. I am here to join with you in mutual congratulations because the most wonderful thing that ever happened to any being on this planet has happened to us, in that we have become Christian Scientists. What does it mean? It means that an ordinary human being absolutely immersed in ignorance, sin, superstition, pain, death, and everything that is miserable and disagreeable, has had bestowed upon him an understanding of the facts of being which operates in his behalf, rescues him from his would-be destroyer, puts his foot upon the Rock of Life, opens unto him the doorway of heaven, and establishes in him the sure confidence that his Redeemer lives and is redeeming him. You remember that Jesus said: 'Your father would have rejoiced to see my day.' Do you not know that all  of the intelligent, religious worthies, the very beacon lights of religious history, held with sublime fidelity and uncompromising allegiance to their understanding of God? Do you not know that figuratively and literally, they held their arms in the burning fire, rather than deny God, rather than to become recreants to duty..." This version differs substantially from the version published in 1921.

     A 'curtain lecture" is defined as "a scolding or rebuke given in private, esp by a wife to her husband [alluding to the curtained beds where such rebukes were once given]" [ ref: American Heritage Dictionary]. Of this Kimball writes on the first page: " I do not think that what I am about to say should be dignified by the name of 'lecture', unless we were call it a 'curtain lecture'- I shall talk as much to myself as I do to you and I shall hope to get some benefit out of what I shall say."

     There are several pages under the heading "Malicious Animal Magnetism" which could be defined as brainwashing. The first paragraph: "The very worst form of animal magnetism is that which offers itself to us in the guise of Truth. Through the avenue of recent circumstances (in belief) it presents itself to you in the disguise of an accusing angel. I dare say that whenever you declare that you are a child of God, perfect and holy, it immediately suggests that you are a child of Satan, rather, and utterly unworthy to claim any relationship with God and incapable of realizing any of the truth that is for the children of God. It haunts you with a personality all distorted by mortal suggestions, makes it hideous and hateful to you, urges you to adopt this as being yourself, and to consider this kind of an I am as an outcast from God, bereft of hope and merit. If it suggests all this and more to you, then, dear friend, you have followed my experience and that of many others who have stood face to face with the sum total of indescribable evil, the aggregation of envy, hatred, malice, and revenge, called malicious animal magnetism. Surely we need the armor of God to meet this son of perdition." This lecture also differs slightly from published versions.

     Kimball's teachings have been collected in several volumes. "Edward A. Kimball, who was a beloved pupil of Mary Baker Eddy, and one of the most original lecturers and teachers in the Christian Science movement....very cogently remarked that 'the students of Christian Science are learning that whatever is needed in the way of literature for the benefit of themselves and the cause is always supplied in due season.' This utterance seems almost prophetic when considered in connection with the announcement of the approaching publication of a substantial volume containing 350 pages, and consisting of the most important parts of Mr. Kimball's class teaching and of some of his principal lectures and talks on the subject of Christian Science...the contents of this volume entitled "Teaching and Addresses by Edward A. Kimball, C. S. D.," have never before appeared in print and all students of Christian Science will be grateful to Rev. G. A. Kratzer, B., A., for having so ably edited and topically indexed this valuable volume which he has also published..." [ref: Stephen H. Alison. The Present Purpose of Christian Scientists. The Christian Scientist 1916].