Concord, N. H., December, 25, 1900.
Darling Mother:— It is with much pleasure that I send to thee a gift of love from the children of our Sabbath School, and that the demonstration of sacrifice which they appreciate as of greater value to thee, is going to enrich them abundantly. They think thee may keep this little pen-tray on thy writing-table, and will find it useful, when resting thy pen for a moment. It is the latest pattern, and is better for a fountain pen because it will rest on an incline. I think thee would greatly have enjoyed the demonstrations of the class on Sunday. One little one said she almost tore a thumb-nail off in playing, and instantly declared, "There is no sensation in matter." and it stopped paining her right away. Another tot of five years, said he was sledding and fell off and hurt himself, but right away he said, "God is good, I cannot be hurt," and he was not, any more.
Another of six said, "I had a pair of shoes that were too long and they hurt my foot and I just kept saying, 'God is Love and there is no sensation in matter.' and they did not hurt me any longer." Two older boys had overcome sore throats. An older girl gave her head a bad bang against a door jamb, and instantly thought, "How absurd to think that my head has any more intelligence than that jamb," and was relieved at once. One of the mothers said that she forbade her little girl to go across the railroad track to play, and the other day she came to her and said, "Mamma, isn't God on the other side of the track too?"
I invited the children to spend a social evening with us in the Hall on Saturday, and if thee could have looked in at the old-fashioned kitchen trimmed up by Dolly and Frances (my faithful colored maid) in evergreens, and lighted with candles, thee would have seen twenty children playing some old-time games and having a merry time. We told them what the Christian Science thought of Christmas is, and I told them of the boyhood of Jesus, and how they must know that earnest work and pure lives would give them the opportunity and the understanding to make the world better too. We sang "Shepherd:" they had some sherbet and simple cake and went home at nine o'clock, each with a cornucopia of candy which Villa White brought for them from Boston. And now, precious Mother, let me thank thee while I am thanking God for my Christmas day. It was never more beautiful; as I looked out at the early sunrise over the pink and yellow sky, the prayer of my heart was, that I might always live in the morning and be awake in good, serving God, in Christian Science.
My gratitude to thee for leading me into this way which is in the Kingdom of Love, is greater than I can tell, dear Mother. We appreciate thy thought in sending us Professor Seward's book to read, and we thank thee over and over for all thy graciousness and love.
Thine in tender gratitude,
295 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston.
Christmas, 1900.
Dear, Dear, Mother-heart:—What can tongue or pen utter when the heart is so full of gladness? Over the whole earth this morning,
Bells are ringing,
chimes are sinking,
celebrating the Christ-Love, our Christmas child, born in our hearts, because you, dear watchful Shepherd, saw the star and followed it and found where the young child lay. Now the tidings have gone through all the lands, the night is gone, and in all its glory is rising the eternal Morning Star! Glory to God in the highest!
With faithful love,
Darling Mother:—Another Christmas morn has dawned, and again the sweet memory of the Bethlehem child comes to gladden loving hearts. But with infinitely greater joy, comes the realization of the Christ-Truth into the hearts of those who are learning it.
It is not to the infant child, that we turn to-day, as of old, but to the impersonal Christ, our present, constant Saviour. So, while the world turns its thoughts to the birth of Jesus, we are celebrating the birth of a new consciousness of Christ in our hearts. For this pure and far more perfect Christmas joy, we thank God.
Lovingly thine,
December 25, 1900.
