OPEN LETTERS

Extracts from letters addressed to Rev. Mary B. G. Eddy.

My Dear Teacher:—After seven years of constant daily study of this most wonderful book, Science and Health, I find its pages just as fresh and beautiful as at my first reading. At that time it seemed that the gate of heaven opened, and such a flood of light and love came in that I did not know how to contain it all. In my intense desire for the world to know of its brightness and beauty, its healing of sorrow and grief in whatever form—whether sickness or sin—I went out to carry it to my fellow beings; and the demonstrations have been wonderful, seeming as natural and normal as the breath of life. How often I've thought: "Could she only know the many households, wherein tears have been wiped away, and sorrow healed, rejoicing to-day in this blessed foretaste of heaven!" In one instance, the husband, as the wife herself said to me, had been "transformed from the gutter to the possession of his right mind." Said she: "Look at my husband, my surroundings; my comfortable, almost luxurious home—joy heaven, where it was sorrow and hell; and," pointing to the little book Science and Health on her table, "all because of that little book!" She would not allow even a newspaper beside it on the table, so sacred was the ''little book" to her, which is now the daily study of them both. Such instances are all over our broad land. It surely is God's Word —His best gift to fallen man; our rich inheritance, our salvation from sin sickness and death. Every day's mail brings fresh testimonies of the good being done by this book. The piles of testimonials which I have are marvellous in the nature of them; some coming from homes of wealth, others from the humblest homes of poverty and ignorance—but all alike share its wonderful healing power. With love and gratitude no words can express, I am your student.—M. H. P.

P. S. It is well that little note from you appeared in the Dec. Journal, for you else would have been covered with presents. Our Association, No. 44, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and vicinity, has eighty or more members, each of whom was arranging to send to the author of Science and Health some token of love and appreciation of the good accomplished through its study. We all thought as this had not been discountenanced, that it was right and acceptable; but that note was so uplifting in its spirit of real love, that we were made glad to send spiritual gifts—which we do daily, even more: every moment of our lives. Gratitude and Love form the one thought of us all. They are so nearly alike that love alone is the fullest expression of both.—M. H. P.

My Beloved Teacher:—I hope you will forgive me for addressing you at this time, for I have been yearning for a long time to give you some token or acknowledgment of the great blessings that you have conferred upon me. I heard that people in Boston were preparing to make you nice presents, and it troubled me because I was not able to do the same; but your article in the December Journal made me rejoice, for it gave me to understand that I could send you that which you would appreciate more than worldly gifts—the love of a heart overflowing with gratitude for the understanding which you have imparted to me. Where would I be, after the heavy cross that has been laid upon me, without the light of Divine Science to shine on the dark places and show me that my Heavenly Father is ever near and that I am His child and have nothing to fear. It is nearly three years since Mr.—left his family; and it has proved, to a certainty, that they that trust in the Lord shall not lack any good thing. Our wants have all been supplied, we have been kept in health, and no plague has come near our dwelling. The children are growing in wisdom and stature, and I trust in understanding of the Truth, for which we thank God fervently. We are hoping and praying that He will restore the wanderer to his right mind, and bring him back to his Father's house.—H. M. E.

I have just received my January Journal to-day, and the expressions in the Editor's Note Book, regarding the Bible lessons, I found to meet my ideas exactly. They have been a wonderful help to me—so much so that I have written out every one of them for the past year. I have urged each member of the class held in my house to do the same, but many say they have no time.... I often sit down at nine o'clock to write them out, and it will strike twelve before I finish; yet it seems but a few minutes.... So many feel that to look the lessons over is sufficient; but the great Truth each contains cannot be understood in a few moments. Each is a feast which I would that all might enjoy. The light grows brighter and brighter each day—yea, each hour I feel to rejoice with all my heart for this blessed understanding of Truth, which brings me to harmony, heaven.—M. E. C.

From Berlin.

I think the Journal's accounts of the children's demonstrations of Life something beautiful. It is heavenly! I knew of your being in New York at the time of the National Association and rejoice, with you, at the increased manifestation of Truth, which all conscious of the Truth at that time received, whether in New York or in Europe. At that time I was in Florence with a friend first met in the Science. We received a higher conception of Truth, and from that meeting on, notwithstanding the suppositional warfare, which error claims to be waging against it, we are receiving more Light, and are convinced that the action of the great body of Christian Scientists is recognized; that the upward thought is presented to us not only through perusal of the literature; that before we have read the printed words, thoughts have been working in our consciousness, so that we find the leading, answers, and advice, exactly fitted to our mental condition. I have entirely confined myself to writings, by the author of Science and Health and those sent out from the Boston Publishing Society; but Science and Health, in fact everything by this authorship—is so much higher than the other writings that I could not be satisfied with less. In these the deductions from the premises are all uncompromising. I may not have seen the demonstration of these "facts of Spirit," and a false personal sense may, to my consciousness, have hidden almost completely the reflection of God; so that a fear arises that Christian Science would be lightly esteemed by others because of their association with me, not seeing distinctly visible what should be always present in a Christian Scientist. Notwithstanding this, "Mind is Supreme," "God is Spirit," and man is spiritual now. "Let God be true, but every man a liar." The "facts of Spirit" are always facts; nothing can change them.

I have had the pleasure of introducing to the reading of Science and Health some who have assured me that they would make it a matter of concern to procure the book, and learn from it. I have received through Miss D—of London, also one or two from America, "Minutes of the Association" which I have read, and found opportunity to give to another. Am studying the Bible lessons, writing them out. Commenced with the January number only two months ago, so have many yet to study before reaching the present number. I have found in this study, elucidating the meaning of the Bible by explanations of Science and Health, something new; a revelation which comes with great force. At this pension, kept by a young German widow who speaks a little English, I have had the pleasure of introducing Science and Health. Frau—has for the few days past, been considering the idea brought to her; and, as the Truth appeared to her a "great Deliverer," a cry of joy and relief expressed itself. She has translated the "Scientific Statement of Being;" is reading "Recapitulation" and the German Tract "How to Begin in Christian Science;" and, best of all, is accepting Science as a practical help to be demonstrated in now. That there is but one family and one home, one abiding place, is forcibly pressed upon my consciousness.

I was told only this morning that the intelligence of a man came from his brains. I said: "Is it possible that any one living in this nineteenth century can really have that error talked to him! that line of thought comes from the dark ages. What are we who understand the better line of thought to do when we hear such a statement made? Indeed this assertion of error has stirred me to do my duty. It made me think I had better keep the weeds out of my own garden, and get the beam out of my own eye,—get out of self and carry clearly the higher thought; so as to help our brothers and sisters. If Christian Science is the higher line of thought that we know it to be, let us prove it by living it, rather than waste time in too much talking. We cannot sit down and go to sleep in the old thought—a little more "folding of the hands." Not long ago, a dear brother and sister Scientist visited us, and gave a nice talk. Error told us to go to sleep. There we were, eager to hear the Truth; but the "enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat." We need our armor on every moment, and to "stand porter at the door of thought."
 Science and Health, 324, 10. "Wherefore let him that standeth take heed lest he fall. I heard a good brother Scientist say: "Putting a plaster over a boil does no good." We cannot cover up error. Expose it. Lay it bare and rise in the strength of God to know that Mind is all.

How we appreciate the hymns in the Hymnal! If we are going to think right we must talk right and sing right. We must let our light so shine that others, seeing our good works, may glorify our Father which is in heaven, harmony.

Four years ago I visited S—for my health; taking with me a supply of remedies, for which I had use every fifteen minutes, at that time. After being there three days, I was persuaded by my friends to try Christian Science. In two weeks I was healed, and studied. Verily! we can say: "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." We have now a little Bible class every Sunday; and the students meet every Wednesday to study the lesson. If we apply ourselves closely to those lessons, we shall gain clearer realization; and realization is all.—C. J. S., East Haven, Conn.

The Journals have been so helpful of late, I desire to add my mite in acknowledgment of the courage and cheer they bring me. The January number is filled with such helpful thoughts! I can better understand and read now the many things passing in upon my consciousness the last few weeks that had before seemed obscure. Science and Health seems more wonderful to me every day. When I began the study not quite four years ago, I did not consider myself sick, or an invalid; though was troubled with the belief of severe sick headache and neuralgia very often. Now am happy to say, I have no time for such beliefs, they cannot come "nigh my dwelling." I was tired and weary, and my daily desire and prayer was, "Father, take me out of the world." As I read the chapter "Prayer and Atonement"—the first I read in the "Little Book"—a wonderful light came to me; and I began to realize I was not in the world nor of it. Passages of Scripture came, one after another, with such light and meaning confirming the "joyful message" that I wanted to tell it to every one. I think I was like impulsive Peter when he saw Christ on the shore; when he "girt himself" and "cast himself into the sea." Impatient to reach the goal, many missteps have seemingly been taken, many times has defeat seemed inevitable; but through demonstration over sin and the false sense of self, (with seeming opposition all around me), I am now learning of the faithful James, the loving John, the firm, decided Paul, that if we would walk in the footsteps of the Master; and of the beloved Teacher here among us, and enter the City by the Gate Beautiful,—step by step we must walk in the way marked out for us; and I would not miss one step. The Journal, with its words "spoken in due season" is a welcome guest to my heart and home.—Mrs. H. B. T., Cambridge, Ills.