Mary Baker Eddy was the founder of Christian Science in 1866. She made this "discovery" in her rebellion of her parents religion of New Light Calvinism. The main "factor" she so deeply protested against was the religious idea that suffering was imposed to people that sinned against God for the betterment of their souls. She started having other different opinions that influenced her to write down her ideas and get other opinions on them. To her surprise Eddy became the founder of a new religion and a new way of thinking^ Christian Science.

Peel breaks the religion down into the main points which make up the chapters in his book. For instance, in his second chapter he states "Christian science takes the position that the universe we encounter through physical senses is not the universe in God's creating" (Peel^ 15). This statement concludes the idea the world and environment we live in is not important, physically but spiritually. To have a sense of living for God, to please him in all people do. All people that "travel" into this religion must look inside themselves to find God in their lives.

In chapter 4 Peel deals with the "Mores and Morals" of the Christian Science religion. The kingdom of God is neither for men nor women but for ail that welcome him into their life. Although Peel fails to states the obvious questions concerning mores and morals. For instance he steers away from questions like: Is it accepted to have sex before marriage? How is abortion looked upon? There is no sense of rules or regulations' only what is right and wrong in the eyes of the beholder with God as guidance.

in chapter 5 Peel deals with issues of spiritual healing and the power of prayer. Christian Science feels "there is more widespread consideration of healing methods other than those certified by the organized medical industry" (Peel, 46). The alternative options includes, of coarse, spiritual healing. To ask God for healing, or "the power of prayer" as Peel refers to it, works hand-in-hand with spiritual healing. To pray for forgiveness and relief is the usual occurrence in prayer by Christians Science believers. Although Peel puts to much emphases on "faith cures". He denotes medical science with belief that cures will come if an individual believes it so.

Yet again in chapter 6 Peel shows a contradicting side of this religion. It is the major question of what exactly what to believe: science or faith. Certain questions of how humans came about is never really asked by Peel. Also he feels that the physical, scientific world is totally different yet somehow similar from the religious, spiritual world. In his words, one is clear and concise and one is clouded and distorted. "Today matter and mind are widely regarded as a continumm than as two separate entitles connected..."(Peel, 56). This statement seems to tell the reader that a "conclusion" of what to think hasn't been set and this simple idea is "good enough" to satisfie a puzzled reader. What to believe seems again to be the matter of the beholder.

Christian Science also has very beneficial ideas about their religion. For instance, in chapter 5, Peel tells of one of the beliefs originated by Mary Both Eddy herself. "The fact that Christian Scientists eschew alcohol, tobacco, and drugs-some of them extending this to rejection of tea and coffee...it is understood as a moral rather than physical health measure" (Peel, 51). Although given up these items has nothing to do with a believers health, it in turn does help the person become healthy as well. Everything Christian Science believes seem to try to strive to live a perfect, balanced life in God.

Another beneficial aspect of this religion is given in chapter 5 as well. With Eddy's best loved hymn "Feed my Sheep" as a guide parishioners best to help all that is in need. "Consecration demands constant spiritual growth, a willingness to learn from experience as well as from study, prayer, and inspriation" (Peel, 53). Christian Science believers believe that with helping others in turn God will help them. A sort of reward for doing good for others, a goal to strive for. The benefits are always for more spiritual growth for the person, which somehow seems to totally fulfill the believer.

In chapter 10 Peel discusses misconceptions people outside the religion might have after reviewing this book. He states "Christian Science is spiritually radical as its teaching is it is not Gnostic. It does not scornfully dismiss the whole of human experience and the natural world as mere illusion, but looks for the spiritually reality shining throughout the illusion and transforming the human experience" (Peel, 117). He also discusses the declining numbers of the churches numbers. Although not discourage says that there is a stronger feel for spiritually in peoples lifestyles. The standing of the church is: it is not important how many, come but how many grow and how it helps. Peel says Eddy was never impressed by numbers anyway^ just as long as people keep on growing spiritually.

The religion group fails to tell its stand on movement and modernism in the church and in the world. Yet, they had to look at the changes as optimistically as they could. Peel states that the word optimism isn't a Christian Science phrase for the most part. Trying to explain this. Peel states: "Optimism may be preferable to pessimism as a human attitude-as positive thinking may be preferable to negative thinking-but neither is "scientific" in the Christian Science sense of the word" (Peel, 121). What the believers didn't want to do is loose sight of their traditions and beliefs to new age revolutions. So they merely accepted them, didn*t 'condone, but tried to keep so there "vision" (in religious terms) wouldn't be eschewed.

Peel present the ideas of the book in a explanatory way. He shows all aspects of the religion and explains how it is used in everyday life of a believer. His portrayal of the Christian Science religion seem to be quite accurate on the items he discussed in the book. Although he fails to tell about religious customs or ceremonies. He details a lot on tradition and history, but not modern ideas and thoughts.

Peel is fair to the religious group, but fails in some areas to widely explain a "look" in to the religion. Believers might read this and see a different side that explained by Peel. Peel only shows beliefs, believers might be disgusted by him leaving out the other things involved in the religion.

Although, his writings shows a insight to a non-Christian Science person. It does explain the basis of the religion as well as th^ history. It is a broad look into the religion that leaves a reader asking more questions about other beliefs of the group. The modern issues facing people are hardly touched by Peel. The book definitely isn't trying to convert someone to the religion, it is just giving an inset into the religion itself.

The understanding of "religion in America" hasn't been effected in this book. It's main point was mainly to educate the reader in the history and beliefs occurring in this religion. The book wasn't to show "improvement" in these modern times, but how the religion came to be and things important to the believers of the religion.

The believers of Christian Science believe very strongly in helping others, the importance of prayer and leading a very spiritual life in God. Although the only evident difference of other religions isn't very obvious to the reader. Many other religious groups believe and feel the same as the Christian Science organization.

In conclusion. Peel lets the reader explore a very broad vision of the religion. It allows non-believers to realize different aspects of another religion and other beliefs. It shows no apparent noticeable differences than other religions of today. In that weakness, readers leave the book with more questions than when started out. Although Peel does educate the readers and brings a different world to people that didn't understand or know about Christian Science.