Letter of Advice to a Friend.
God indeed leads when we let Him; but, to have him lead, we must follow the narrow, straight road that Jesus the Christ has mapped out for us. We can look neither to the right nor to the left; but must follow right behind him. We must search for his teaching of Truth in the Bible, in which we find His commands, through which the Truth has been handed down to us. "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my word shall never pass away." As it pleased God 1890 years ago to send this Truth to us through woman, so it hath pleased him at this present age again to reveal it to us through woman. As of old, God has made use of but one through whom to bring this Truth back to us, and we should never cease thanking Him for His goodness. Science and Health is surely the book spoken of in Revelation. Since I have studied it, the Bible has become more clear and I have better understanding of our relationship to God and of the healing which Christ taught. Its teachings are logical and do not violate the teachings of the Bible. For the second time I have just finished reading the explanation of Genesis. It is grand. At the first reading, I did not understand it so well as this time. I think no one can fully appreciate the book without going through a class with book in hand as we did. How I did wish you could have been one of us! What a great light would have dawned upon you! We each must work out our own salvation. "Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." All who went through the class that I did are having good demonstrations. Be sure you go through the class with a loyal Scientist who takes the Bible and Science and Health as textbooks, or your time and money will be wasted. You need the Journal, to see what is going on in Science; and when you read of the good demonstrations that are being made, it will give you courage and hope.— Austin, Tex.
I always read the beautiful letters, from nearly all parts of the Union, telling of healing and demonstration through Christian Science. I wish to add my mite to the Treasury. There is a glorious work going on in this place, but I will simply state my own case clearly as I can; and all those who have been lifted from the depths of despair will know how feeble these words are to express what I feel.
It is now past three years since I was healed of many beliefs through Christian Science. Epileptic fits of fourteen years' standing, added to other troubles of a complicated nature, made me a very sick woman; and it is hardly necessary to state that every available means to better my condition had failed. I finally applied to a Scientist, and received immediate relief at the first treatment; have never had a symptom of the fits since, and am now a strong woman doing all the work (except washings) for a family of nine, seven of whom are small children. But, much as this may seem, I count it the least blessing I have received. It indeed seems small when compared to the spiritual Light gained through the study of Christian Science. Although a professing Christian for many years previous, serving God to the best of my understanding, I have found in these teachings a beautiful reality to Christianity, a deep abiding sense of God's Love, such as I never before experienced. I now know that I am a child of omnipotent Love.
I have had some very good demonstrations of the Truth in my own family,—one of which I might mention. My little boy was kicked on the thick part of the thigh by a vicious horse; and, the animal being rough-shod, the cork of the shoe inflicted a very deep wound causing great pain. I realized for him the Truth of Being, that all is harmony. He was relieved immediately, and was soon all about the yard; his leg neither having swollen, nor showing any bruise except a slight cut.— Colo.
For the past year, regular Christian Science services have been held by four students and one "students' student "of mine in three cities in Iowa, and two in Minnesota. The order of exercises is taken up according to direction of our Teacher in August Journal of Volume 7; the sermon consisting of extracts read from the Bible and Science and Health. These students have never become disturbed in thought by reading literature other than that received from the pen of our Teacher, and from the Christian Science Publishing Society. It has always been our practice never to allow a page outside these publications to remain in the house over night; but from the first I taught them to return kindly all such (which was their privilege), instead of burning. Among all these dear ones there is never a discord; but, instead, the utmost harmony prevails. All are of One Mind. There are no leaders —no minister; but each one, without a thought of refusing, lovingly leads the services of the Sunday School as his or her turn comes. No spirit of "I am holier than thou" can enter, there being no door of error left open through which this spirit can come in. In each of these Sunday Schools, all write out the lesson in full, and on Saturday morning meet to study it together preparatory for the Sabbath, that they may not have to spend so much time upon it then.— Austin, Ills.
Thanks for the many good thoughts and encouraging words. I was, as it were, standing still; looking backward for fruit of the Spirit.
Two years ago last August, I loaned Science and Health to an invalid cousin, who, for nineteen years had not left her chair, save to be carried out to ride two or three times during the summer. In place of good letters I got an occasional postal card. In the last she said she never expected to be able to read Science and Health. This occasioned the question in my mind regarding another, to whom I had been led to send Science and Health, "would he ever read it?" A full assurance came to my consciousness that he would, though I have not yet heard from him personally. When I first met this friend a few months ago, he talked "mountain scenery" and "gold-mine," while I talked Science. Two days later I read in a book of Life: "We read as we run." Instantly I saw myself on the Ocean of Mind, midway between earth and sky, on a perfect ship, a vessel of Life, guided by a new compass toward the East. Another ship with an old compass, bound for the West and with a perilous voyage ahead came alongside. A week later, the meaning of the object lesson was clearly revealed to me. The ships were "likenesses of God." Both had come out of orthodox churches. The new compass was the new understanding. The old compass was the orthodox faith which my friend thought had made him an infidel. After I had explained questions that covered the whole Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, he said: "I see it all hangs together,"—meaning the proofs of Immortality.—
