In "Notes from the Field" we hear our brothers' voice from month to month, which is always an inspiration in our onward march to the "Promised Land;" how you are and where you are. Herein we see the fulfilment of the words, "The God inspired walks calmly on, though it be with bleeding footsteps, and hereafter they shall reap as they have sown."Science and Health, p. 273. About a year ago, after holding services for some time in our homes, we rented a Hall in which to have a Sunday school. Every expense was met by the collection from week to week, some of us specifying a regular gift or sum, and great good was individually realized from the demonstrations at times necessary to meet the obligation. The demands were mostly met by those having the least means, those having the most of "worldly riches" giving the least. Recently, as a natural consequence, we felt the need of a "home," or headquarters, in which to hold our students' meetings; a gathering, for study, of all Scientists and their students, called "General Students' Meetings." We are now reading, consecutively, Science and Health, having begun with the first page, and are taking four pages at each meeting. We precede this study with a business session, recognizing our common Cause, and illustrating "brotherly love." Nothing that pertains to our local work, or business, is transacted at any other time, but all is always decided here and by the majority. There are always some differences of opinion as to best methods, &c., but we are never in haste. After proper discussion by each, we leave the question at issue in the Spirit of Love, and are willing to let "human justice wait on the Divine." Principle guides and concludes our business matters.
The following is in reference to our mid-week Bible Reading, the Sunday school lesson, Sunday school and Church. Before we took any steps, we prayed, or "treated," for guidance as a society. Rooms in the heart of the city met our gaze; a special meeting being called to consider the question, in a short time it was decided to take them. We immediately rented two of the rooms until further demonstration—we expecting to need them. Every cent for rent, chairs, carpet—our entire outfit in fact— came naturally and easily; the first dollar being paid, the evening of our meeting, by a washerwoman. Each one seemed glad to give. Not one dollar that was promised failed to come, and that without being asked for. From people outside of Science, or those who classify thus, we had one five-dollar, with several other donations. The painting of signs was done by outsiders.
I mentioned a church. We have no pastor, but meet at 10.30 Sunday, when some of us read a sermon, or from Unity of Good, from the Series, or from some part of the Sunday school lesson; each one bringing out thoughts from that by means of the references, thus showing the oneness of Science and Health and the Bible, and its practical application to each act of emerging from matter into Spirit. To "emerge gently" does not mean to hold on to material beliefs; though this apology we sometimes make for our desire to hold on to error.
Besides our home-work, several of us sometimes go outside of the city and hold parlor talks, or public meetings in schoolhouses and churches, or public halls. One of the largest audiences I ever had was in a Methodist church. Two weeks ago, I had a large and appreciative audience in a schoolhouse, in which regular church services are held. The regular minister, although opposed to Christian Science, by request of some influential member announced the meeting. I am not a public speaker, but I have an "experience." I know that people want to hear about and live this beautiful life. God says to-day: "Say not I am a child; for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces, for I am with thee to deliver thee. Behold I have put my words in thy mouth" (Jer. i. 7, 8, 9). I realize the truth of these promises, and people are anxious for more. To-day an invitation came from the last named place of meeting to come regularly every two weeks.
Brothers and sisters, are we using our talents? Science and Health says: "This understanding is not intellectual, is not aided by scholarly attainments. Millions of unprejudiced minds, simple seekers for truth, weary wanderers athirst in the desert are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences."
Your co-worker in Truth,— Bloomington, Ill.
The truth is spreading slowly but surely. We now have a separate room for the children to study Bible lessons, and have changed the time of meeting from 3 p. m. to the usual 10.30 a. m. on Sundays. There is also a meeting Thursday evenings at 7.30 for study of the Bible and Science and Health. We find our meetings uplifting and strengthening, and cannot afford to miss one. After the opening exercises an hour is given to study, and we often feel loath to depart so soon.
A great deal has been said here against Christian Science, and articles have been published in the papers against it; but that does not move us. Jesus has said: "Remember the word I said unto you. The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying they will keep yours also." (John xv. 20.) We find comfort in these words and are not ashamed to continue in his work and word, doing unto others as we would they should do unto us, and striving still to bring the understanding of Divine Science to all who will hear and listen. Oh, what a glorious work! I see no time for idleness, or to loiter by the wayside. There is so much to do, so much to learn; and so much to unlearn. Surely there is no end, for are we not in eternity now? I feel it is our duty as Christian Scientists to do all we can to open the eyes of the blind to their God-given birthright to which they have been blinded through wrong and false teachings. We know the world is ready for it, and for the true Christian Science Literature. I think we ought to distribute it freely. I do not fear as some do that they "cannot understand," that they "won't believe," and so on. Is not God their understanding, their Mind and Life? There is only one Mind, even God; only one Intelligence; then one can understand as well as another, for we are all one in God, and God is omnipresence. I think we should hold this perfect thought, and the Truth will be received. On every hand we see beliefs disappear before realizations of these truths. We have had many grand demonstrations here the last year; surely we can never doubt again.
It makes no difference what mortal minds say. God is with us, and one with God is a majority. I think Series No. 17 such a grand lesson for all. And the Journals are growing better all the time—especially the children's department. The piece "Hiding the Name of Christ" I was glad to see. There is too much of this going on. There is one door, one sheepfold, and he that "tries to climb up some other way the same is a thief and a robber." The thief steals away the good seed sown, and robs us of our spiritual understanding before we are aware of it, and the student finds himself a Scientist only in name. He has not kept in the path our mother has marked out. I can hardly see how it is that anyone can hide, or want to hide the name "Christian Science," for it is all in all. Surely we cannot hide it, for it is spreading from pole to pole. "And I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images." Isa. xlii. 8. We are watching with joyful interest, the rapid progress of Christian Science work throughout the land. The glad tidings of health and peace are heard by the sick and sorrowing. Thus the leaven is working, and thousands of so-called hopeless invalids are being raised to the true sense of Life. "He whose right it is shall reign." "Oh, ye watchmen sound the trumpet, sound it far and near." Traverse City.
The Entrance of the word giveth Light.—How dark and dreary everything seems when the house is closed, shutters drawn and windows down so as to exclude the light. In just such a position are we when the heart (mind) is closed to this glorious Word (Truth). "When the sun shines brightly" says Science and Health, "let us not hug our tatters closely about us." This is to realize or become conscious of the great fact of being,—that Man is spiritual, the image of the perfect, eternal Mind; the expression of Infinite Principle.
The acknowledgment that "God is all and in all," in understanding, gives to each that "peace of God which rises above every Mind" (material sense) and before which all darkness (error) flees away.
Our house is our thought. We should hold this pure thought continually; then our house is "swept and garnished," and thus Truth finds lodgment and there abides. Where harmony is, there is light, understanding; in the light we see how to help not only ourselves but all; we learn that God is good and "no respecter of persons," and that "Mind is supreme." As consciousness of this becomes real, the illusions of error are dispelled in whatever way manifested. The entrance of this Word of God, even though it may find feeble expression in the letter, works out a mighty power in demonstration.— Kansas City, Mo.
