In the early days of the Christian Science movement, Mary Baker Eddy asked church members who wrote to her to send their letters "to the editors of The Christian Science Journal for publication, and thereby give to us all the pleasure of hearing from you" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 155).
In the spirit of her comment, we invite your contributions to our "Letters" column. Unfortunately, not every letter can be published, and some may need to be edited for length. But we will share all we can.
We look forward to hearing from you. Letters should include the writer's full name, address, and telephone number, and be addressed to:
Letters to the Editor, P-602
The Christian Science Publishing Society
Journal, Sentinel, and Herald Editorial Department
One Norway Street
Boston, MA, U.S.A. 02115-3122
I wanted to write and thank you for the wonderful February issue of the Journal. Every article and every testimony was incredibly helpful and healing.
I was struck by the fact that the periodicals are a compilation of individuals' experiences, healing, and deep inspirations. I thought of the time, patience, and perseverance it took for each article to be written and of the rich healing thoughts of every person—a spiritual gift to the world.
I feel today more than ever our periodicals are the cement of our movement. No matter where one lives, we all commune together within their pages. This is the purpose of Church. I feel Church in the periodicals and I am deeply grateful.
Carmel Valley, California
I cried when I read the first paragraph of a letter from R.J.S. in the January 1993 Journal, thanking institutional workers for their time. As Christian Scientists we know that God speaks to all men at all times. I have longed to hear news of someone who found the power that awakens and heals while incarcerated. My sincerest thanks to the Publishing Society for providing the "Letters" section.
Christian Science Chaplain
I have just completed reading through the lesson on "Doctrine of Atonement" [in the Christian Science Quarterly] and thought I should write a short note to say thank you to the Bible Lesson Committee for your Christly expression of love.
This is my tenth year in maximum security prison and I read the Lesson-Sermon around noon each day. It is my single most important activity during the day as it brings an inner peace and joy that is beyond verbal expression.
Wishing you God's love and joy as you continue in this most important branch of Christian Science.
Wallkill, New York
Just a quick note to thank you for your beautiful choices of photographs gracing the covers of the Christian Science Sentinel [a weekly magazine] . The cover of the April 19 issue, with the whale leaping out of the ocean, brought to mind so many Biblical passages about rejoicing and leaping for joy. (It also impelled me to write this thank-you note!) Please convey in some way my appreciation and compliments to the photographers. These photos so clearly shine forth the qualities of Soul—joy, freedom, expression, infinite individuality, and love—that I rarely think of the objects pictured, but only of the qualities expressed that radiate through each photo.
Thanks for your covers, which capture so exquisitely the glorious infinitude of God's whole creation!
Katy, Texas
Since we always seem to get the Journals before the month they are so dated, is there any reason that the current Journal shouldn't have the current month's "Working with the Word" in it? I used to cut those pages out, but that was awkward, and I thought the "whole" Journal would be better for literature distribution.
Davenport, Iowa
Editors' reply: You're right—most subscribers do receive the periodicals prior to their date of issue. Occasionally, however, because of various postal complications in other parts of the world, delivery is slowed considerably. To ensure that "Working with the Word" is available to every reader in time for the first week's Bible Lesson each month, it is printed a month in advance. Some students find it helpful to make a photocopy of "Working with the Word" for future reference.
I am very grateful to the Editors for their invitation to write about how the Journal helps us. I feel that this includes us all in the family of readers. When I moved here a few years ago, knowing nobody in this town, the Christian Science periodicals were like letters from friends, coming very regularly, and eagerly awaited.
When Journals come, I read them from beginning to end and reread them. They are becoming so lively, and I especially liked ... the news of hurricane relief, showing Christian Scientists giving practical relief in disasters. The articles on Bible history are also of immense interest, and I look forward to them with each Journal.
Saltburn-by-the-Sea Cleveland, England
In a recent issue of the Christian Science Sentinel you wrote: "Sometimes I wish each of our readers could spend just one day in the Editorial Department here...."On the other hand, I sometimes wish that you all could be here, in my house, watching how the periodicals influence and inspire us.
I encountered Christian Science in 1971, but wandered away, several times, from its teachings for a number of reasons. A gift subscription in October '92 together with the special issue of the Journal, guided me back on the right path....I would like to compliment your contributors and staff for creating, with God's help, such inspiring articles. We, the readers, carry them in our briefcases, purses, coat pockets, etc.
So, in this way, we do "visit" each other in spirit.
, Willowdale, Ontario, Canada
