Passing years, filled with progressive experiences in proving the truth of her revelation and teachings, enhance rather than dim one's memory of the cherished Leader of the Christian Science movement, Mary Baker Eddy. Words which fell from her lips long ago and were retained in thought have, just at the point of coincidence of one's own progress and the need for that spiritual interpretation, become illumined with their spiritual import.
As an illustration, on New Year's Day, 1896, a few friends were entertained at dinner at Pleasant View. Sitting at the head of her table, Mrs. Eddy graciously guided the conversation, showing loving consideration for each of the guests and special interest in their individual affairs. After dinner she said quite joyously: "Come into the library. I have a new painting and I want to talk about it to you."
She invited us to sit facing the newly acquired picture—"Daniel's Answer to the King." Amongst other things she said: "You see, he has turned his back on the lower or bestial elements of mortal mind and is giving his answer to the King— to the highest. That is what I have always done." Twenty-five years later, when the writer was confronted with the necessity of interviewing a person who had expressed much of the "lower or bestial elements," Mrs. Eddy's well-remembered words came to thought with the impulse to apply them practically to the experience. It was determined to recognize and to address only the highest, and to pierce the mist of personality and perceive only the kingly qualities of the real man. The result was a reversal of the experience in past interviews, for at this meeting none but the finest qualities of real manhood were shown forth.
