In the summer of 1899 there came to us a new by-law concerning the church periodicals. (See Art. X., Sect. 2, of the Manual.) I quote part of it: "It shall be the privilege and duty of every member who can afford it, to subscribe for the periodicals which are the organs of this church." As I read it over something seemed to say, "That is for you." Now we had had the Journal almost since we began in Science, and the Sentinel since the first issue of the Weekly, but all came in the name of one member of the family, although it was a joint stock transaction. Immediately the suggestion came to me that in this way I had the periodicals, that when I needed an extra copy to give to any one I could buy it here, and that there were many other uses just then, for three dollars. However, the only encouragement this thought received was the salutation, "You are error," and I sat down to demonstrate that my eyes might be opened "even wider than before, to the light of love—and by-laws" (Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker G. Eddy, p. 132). It certainly seemed as though this indeed was my privilege and duty, so I spoke to the others to know if my subscribing alone would suit them, and found we were all of one mind on this subject—the by-law being for us all.
In a few days, therefore, my subscription was sent off. "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." Now what is the land which, through obedience to this bylaw, I have received as an inheritance? This: The larger opportunity, the greater demands which have come to me for Christian Science literature. I have not to-day one copy of the Journal or Sentinel, except this week's Sentinel, and besides have had many times to get duplicate copies. These have gone to various points in this continent, to Europe, and to Australia. To show how, through these messengers of Truth, Love has supplied the needs of the hour, I shall give a few instances. One morning I received a letter enquiring about Christian Science, the writer stating himself to be "an invalid longing for more light." That very afternoon came the Journal containing the lecture of Mr. Kimball, which has since been published as a supplement to the Sentinel—true balm of Gilead for a weary, hungry heart. It seemed to answer so many questions that it went at once on its mission.
In the church paper of the Episcopal diocese to which we formerly belonged, appeared some erroneous statements concerning Christian Science. The week after I saw them the Sentinel had articles written in reply to some clergymen who had criticised Christian Science, and the statements of the Episcopal paper were answered therein; so these articles were marked and sent to the bishop.
