A silk bed-scarf, of seventy-two pieces, each nine inches square, embroidered, hand-painted, and done in patchwork, was accompanied by the following letter:
Beloved Teacher : During the past weeks there has been in progress a labor of love throughout our land. Seventy-nine members of the Massachusetts Metaphysical College Christian Science Association have responded to our letters, and expressed great delight at the idea of presenting a mutual token of respect and love to our Teacher. We decided to make a silken bed-scarf, each person to contribute a square. Hundreds would have joined us, but we could inform only a limited number of students whom we knew; for if we consulted you, we could not give you a pleasant surprise. The wife of a Baptist clergyman kindly offered to supply the fancy-work in the makeup. East, West, North, and South clasped hands. Your students engaged in this work were in eighteen states and fifty-one cities, including Montreal and Canada.
The first square received was from Colorado; the last was from the Old Bay State. Mrs. Snider, of New York, contributed a large square of Chinese gold-embroidery, for the centrepiece, which cost twenty-five dollars. Owing to its size and distinguished beauty, we thought best to convert this square into a covering for an eider-down pillow.
With the remainder of the funds contributed we purchased a silver-embellished book, White and Franconia Mountains, through which to express our conception of your work in Christian Science. In the language of Isaiah: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, — that bringeth good tidings of Good, that publisheth salvation,— that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth." In behalf of your loving students we wish you many joyous Christmastides.
To the above letter, and also to other friends who have so kindly remembered her, Mrs. Eddy responds as follows, through this JOURNAL :
My Dear Seventy-nine : When I "wrap the drapery of my couch about me, and lie down to pleasant dreams," in mine orisons you shall be remembered.
To all my dear students whose varied, beautiful, and useful Christmas gifts lie around me, — tokens of their love and loyalty to Christian Science and their Teacher, — I beg to say, I thank you! In giving and receiving, may your lives be enriched and recompensed by the infinite Love.
LIST OF INDIVIDUAL OFFERINGS.
Eider-down pillow, white satin with gold embroidery. Eiderdown pillow, blue silk, hand-painted, and fringed with lace. Pastel painting of Minnehaha Falls, with silvered easel. Silver nutpick set. Painted Sevres China teaset. Book, Beautiful Story, 576 pages, with steel engravings and lithographs. The Dore Bible Gallery, embellished. Brussels-lace tie. Silken sofa-scarf, in wrought with gold. Pansy-bed, in water-colors, with bronze frame. Stand for lemonade-set. Silver combination-set. Silk and lace mat. Embroidered linen handkerchief, in silken sachet holder. Chinese jar. Silk-embroidered plush table-scarf. Connected reclining-pillows. Work of art, White and Franconia Mountains. Transparent painting of Jacqueminots. Satin and lace pin-cushion. Barometer. Cabinet photograph-holder. Perfumery. Large variety of books and poems. Face of the Madonna, framed in oak and ivory. Moon-mirror, with silver setting, and "the Man in the Moon." Hand-painted blotter. Embroidered linen handkerchiefs. Blue silk-embroidered shawl. Plush portemonnaie. Open-work linen handkerchief. Charm slumber-robe. Bible Pearls of Promise. Large white silk-banner with silver fringe. Sachet bags. Two velvet table mats. Silver holder for stereoscopic views. Two fat Kentucky turkeys. Hosts of bouquets and Christmas cards.
