Dear Christian Scientists,
Imagine yourself sitting next to Emma Easton Newman during the Primary class taught by Mary Baker Eddy in February of 1889. Here is the way Newman described the teacher: "Our Leader's appearance at that time was of a woman many years younger than the recorded number. The hair was still dark, the eyes glowing with the inner fire of spiritual inspiration" (We Knew Mary Baker Eddy, p. 93).
What impelled that "inner fire"? This inspired teacher knew the revelation that had come to her would transform the world. There was no doubt. Her conviction was alive with spiritual vision. Yes, there was fire. Might it have been the kind of fire referred to in the Pentecostal experience where Christians gathered "with one accord in one place"? (Acts 2:1.) The evidence is strong that it was. In fact, the teacher said something in this class that still reverberates worldwide with Christian Scientists today. It is reminiscent of that day of Pentecost when "about three thousand souls" were added to the growing church. Newman reminded us of Mrs. Eddy's words, "We, today, in this class-room, are enough to convert the world if we are of one Mind; for then the whole world will feel the influence of this Mind ..." (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, pp. 279–280).
