Emma Gray (1847-1938) was born in Shelburne, Massachusetts, and died in Washington, D.C. She was a student of Mary Baker Eddy's, completing the Primary class (1884) and Normal class (1885). There is no record of her joining the Christian Scientist Association or uniting with the Church of Christ (Scientist). In 1887, she established The National Christian Science Institute in Washington, D.C.; her practice was listed in The Christian Science Journal until 1893, when she appears to have left the Christian Science movement. After leaving, she devised her own mental healing system and established a New Thought church with George E. Ricker, another student of Eddy's. Gray's organization operated under several names: The National Institute of Practical Christianity, The National New Thought Center, and The National Center of Christ Healing and Christ Service.

See more letters.