There is a book which a century ago was credited with having the largest circulation next to the Bible of any published in the English language. It was of deepest interest to Bible readers and was looked upon as one of the great formative influences conjoining with the Bible in establishing the English tongue. Another great formative influence of course was Shakespeare for language, and Addison might be remembered, too, for both matter and manners. But Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" had a place of its own circulating first and widely among the lowliest, but finally winning the attention of the cultivated and appearing in every sort of edition. There was even what was called "the penny Bunyan" so that all men who desired might read the vision of the Bedford tinker and lace maker, whose mind had been enriched by deep spiritual experiences as well as by Bible study. One of Bunyan's characters was well named Evangelist; he was the bringer of the heavenly message. That is just what the word means, the glad-tidings-bringer, and no thinker who rightly contemplates the world's need at this hour and the turmoil of its cities of vanity has failed to discern how truly Mary Baker Eddy as an evangelist has brought to it "good tidings of great joy," whereat already so many rejoice.
A way has been provided whereby those who rejoice may make their gratitude known and bless themselves as well as others by expressing it. Like "streams in the desert" appear the Christian Science periodicals, product of faith and assurance, peace in the heart and good will to the world, love for God who is Love, or Principle, and the practice of loving which is according to the Golden Rule. Quite often a new era begins for a family with the first visit of one of these periodicals, because it leads the reader by a natural process to the study of the writings of the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science; and when one begins to read the works of Mary Baker Eddy he begins to lose his old, sad world, but finds no loss in its passing away because all things become new for him in the light and joy of knowing God aright and understanding His true creation.
It is disappointing that those who name themselves evangelists frequently fail to have an evangel to deliver. They travel from place to place until their welcome is worn out, discussing quite frequently some odium thcologicum or religious antipathy; and when they are gone the doctors of the district have many cases of nervous disorder on their hands. One of the antipathies of some of these mesmeric speakers is Christian Science, but they hold this antipathy only because they do not understand it, and have not been reached by its truly evangelistic influence. As a matter of fact many workers in the ranks of Christian Scientists were at one time ignorantly prejudiced against it, and opposed it with the fervor of Saul, the persecutor of the early Church, only to become devoted like Paul to the works of healing when they gained understanding. Many physicians, clergymen, judges, lawyers, authors, teachers, great men of the business world, statesmen, bookmen, warriors, all reformed in Pauline fashion, are with zeal like his supporting what they now understand to be practical Christianity. They well know how reviving and comforting this activity is because they have received the evangel and understand the life of the evangelist. Thus has become true in their lives what Mrs. Eddy has said (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 204): "Through the accession of spirituality, God, the divine Principle of Christian Science, literally governs the aims, ambition, and acts of the Scientist. The divine ruling gives prudence and energy; it banishes forever all envy, rivalry, evil thinking, evil speaking and acting; and mortal mind, thus purged, obtains peace and power outside of itself."
