The question has been raised several times in the last four or five years, and again recently, as to whether it is best for branch churches throughout the field to send resolutions to the Board of Directors expressing loyalty to our Cause, and especially towards our institutions as established under the counsel of our inspired Leader. These resolutions are invariably a spontaneous expression from the churches. To remove any doubt as to their desirability we desire to give publicity, upon request, to the following official communications. The first appeared in the Christian Science Sentinel of December 21, 1899 (Vol. II, No. 16), and was republished in The Christian Science Journal of January, 1900 (Vol. 17, p. 703). It reads as follows:—
We ask that the churches of Christ, Scientist, shall not withhold their "Resolutions" and touching expressions of gratitude so spontaneously begun, but will forward them to the editor as heretofore requested. These resolutions from the churches pertain to the present hour, and express their true attitude and feeling. Let these continue to come from all over this land, and from other lands, until all our churches are heard from, and our bond of unity is seen to be unbroken.
As many will doubtless be interested to know what called forth this pronouncement, we find in the Sentinel of October 26, 1899 (Vol. II, No. 8), republished in the Journal of November, 1899 (Vol. 17, p. 526), a resolution from First Church of Christ, Scientist, at Washington, D. C., and Mrs. Eddy's gracious and appreciative response thereto. The resolution was as follows:—
Washington, D. C.,
October 7, 1899. Reverend Mary Baker Eddy,
Concord, N. H.
Beloved Leader and Mother:—We, the Board of Directors and Board of Trustees, comprising the Official Board of First Church of Christ, Scientist, at Washington, D. C., desire to express to you, on behalf of the Church, our love and gratitude, and the profound respect and confidence we entertain for you as our beloved Leader and Guide in Christian Science work and methods.
We desire to say to our Leader and to all, that we believe her system of Church government and methods of propagating the cause of Christian Science are the wisest and best, as a means to an end, that could possibly be adopted under existing circumstances, and as such, they reflect in a large degree the Wisdom and Love that have characterized each step taken by her for the advancement of our great cause and the betterment of mankind. Therefore, for anyone to seek to improve upon, or to reform her methods at any time, is, to our sense, the sin of presumption, and we herein and hereby most emphatically disavow and disclaim any affiliation or sympathy with any such movement. Truly "the letter killeth."
Again permit us to assure you of our love and loyalty, and beg to remain your obedient and faithful followers in Christian Science.
(Here follow the names of the Directors and Trustees of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Washington, D. C.) following Mrs. Eddy's reply to the above, under the title "Timely Action," we find a resolution from First Church of Christ. Scientist, London, England, expressing "its unshaken loyalty to and reverence and regard for Mrs. Eddy."
This is followed by Mrs. Eddy's inspiring reply, which meant much to all loyal Christian Scientists, when it appeared in our periodicals, and will no doubt be equally appreciated to-day. For sometime after the publication of these resolutions and Mrs. Eddy's replies thereto, other churches in different parts of the country sent in resolutions expressing their loyalty to our Leader and to the Cause of Christian Science. These resolutions, and Mrs. Eddy's replies to the same, appeared from time to time in the Journal and Sentinel, and are of deep interest to-day to those who find opportunity to follow the footsteps taken at that period.
The field will be greatly benefited by pondering our Leader's illuminating message to the branch churches of Christ, Scientist, as given in the Christian Science Sentinel of November 16, 1899, as follows:—
CARD
"Will one and all of the beloved branch Churches of Christ, Scientist, to whom I have not already responded through these columns, please accept this card of thanks. And let it include my reply to any future resolutions which, as in the past, have so enriched our periodicals with their wealth of wisdom, fellowship, and love.
"MARY BAKER EDDY "Pleasant View, November 7, 1899."
We are humbly following our Leader's example in rendering thanks at this hour for the many resolutions during the past four or five years which have been received from the branch churches and societies throughout the field.
