William D. McCrackan

William D. McCrackan (1864-1923) was an American journalist and author of books on history and travel. In 1900, he converted to Christian Science and became a Christian Science practitioner, teacher and lecturer.

Life

McCrackan was born in Connecticut of Scottish extraction.[1] He graduated from St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire[2] and Trinity College in Hartford in 1885,[3] afterward traveling to Europe to continue his education at the Heidelberg University in Germany.[1][4] He lived in Europe for several years before returning to the United States.[5]

He lectured, particularly in New York, and became known for his books on history and travel.[1][2] Politically progressive, he was well known in literary circles, was a member of the Authors' Club in New York City[6] and was friends with Hamlin Garland, Henry George and Lord Bryce.[4] McCrackan was an opponent of the slogan "a land without a people for a people without a land". He said, "We used to read in our papers the slogan of Zionism, ‘to give back a people to a Land without a People,' while the truth was that Palestine was already well-peopled with a population which was rapidly increasing from natural causes."[7]

McCrackan converted to Christian Science in 1900[8] and became active with the church organization, first serving as Committee on Publication for the state of New York for three years.[1] In that function, he wrote two articles for the North American Review addressing articles they had recently published by Mark Twain, which had ridiculed Christian Science. He sent his articles to Twain, which Twain replied he had read "with admiration and with profit". McCrackan later called on Twain, and though they remained in disagreement regarding religion, they developed a cordial relationship.[9][10] The last time McCrackan met with Twain, his wife was very ill and Twain, who wrote numerous articles critical of the religion, told McCrackan that he would gladly ask McCrackan to pray for her, except that his wife would rather die.[11]

McCrackan, a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, began lecturing on the religion in 1904 and was elected First Reader of The Mother Church in 1905.[2][12] He later became an associate editor of the Christian Science Sentinel.[12]

Published work (partial list)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "A Lecture On Christian Science" The Cambridge Chronicle (March 18, 1905), p. 10. Retrieved June 22, 2013
  2. 1 2 3 "The Readers of The Mother Church" Christian Science Journal (July 1905). Retrieved June 22, 2013 (subscription required)
  3. ↑ 1901 Trinity College yearbook The Ivy, p. 102. Retrieved June 22, 2013
  4. 1 2 Peel, Robert, Mary Baker Eddy: The Years of Authority (1977), p. 193
  5. ↑ Flower, B. O., "Reckless and Irresponsible Attacks on Christian Science" The Arena, Vol. XXXVII, January to June (1907). The Brandt Press, Trenton, N.J., U.S.A., p. 59. Retrieved June 22, 2013
  6. ↑ "Club News and Gossip" The New York Times (January 24, 1904), p. 46. Retrieved June 22, 2013
  7. ↑ Muir, Diana. "A Land without a People for a People without a Land" Middle East Forum, republished from the Middle East Quarterly (Spring 2008). Retrieved June 15, 2013
  8. ↑ Gottschalk, Stephen. Rolling Away The Stone (2006) Indiana University Press. pp. 56-57.
  9. ↑ Peel, Robert (1977), pp. 202-205
  10. ↑ "Samuel L. 'Mark Twain' Clemens - Autograph Letter Signed 01/14/1903" mentions McCrackan History for Sale. Retrieved June 22, 2013
  11. ↑ Gottschalk, Stephen. (2006), p. 86.
  12. 1 2 "A Historical Perspective" Christian Science Sentinel (May 28, 2012). Retrieved June 22, 2013 (subscription required)
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