Miscellaneous Writings, 1883-1896 Part 26

longer expect. When I retired from the field of labor, [1]

it was a departure, socially, publicly, and finally, from the routine of such material modes as society and our societies demand. Rumors are rumors,-nothing more.

I am still with you on the field of battle, taking forward [5]

marches, broader and higher views, and with the hope that you will follow.

The eternal and infinite, already brought to your earnest consideration, so grow upon my vision that I cannot feel justified in turning aside for one hour from [10]

contemplation of them and of the faith unfeigned.

When the verities of being seem to you as to me,-as they must some time,-you will understand the neces- sity for my seclusion, and its fulfilment of divine order.

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye sepa- [15]

rate, saith the Lord."

All our thoughts should be given to the absolute demonstration of Christian Science. You can well afford to give me up, since you have in my last re- vised edition of Science and Health your teacher and [20]

guide.

I recommend that the June session of this honorable body shall close your meetings for the summer; also, that hereafter you hold three sessions annually, convening once in four months; oftener is not requisite, and the [25]

members coming from a distance will be accommodated by this arrangement.

Yours affectionately, MARY B. G. EDDY

[Page 137.]

To The National Christian Scientist a.s.sociation.

_My Dear Students and Friends_:-Accept my thanks for your card of invitation, your badge, and order of exer- cise, all of which are complete.

When I gave you a meagre reception in Boston at the [5]

close of the first convention of the National Christian Scientist a.s.sociation, it was simply to give you the privi- lege, poor as it was, of speaking a few words aside to your teacher. I remember my regret, when, having asked in general a.s.sembly if you had any questions to propose, I [10]

received no reply. Since then you have doubtless realized that such opportunity might have been improved; but that time has pa.s.sed.

I greatly rejoice over the growth of my students within the last few years. It was kind of you to part so gently [15]

with the protecting wings of the mother-bird, and to spread your own so bravely. Now, dear ones, if you take my advice again, you will do-what?

Even this: Disorganize the National Christian Scientist a.s.sociation! and each one return to his place of [20]

labor, to work out individually and alone, for himself and for others, the sublime ends of human life.

To accomplish this, you must give much time to self- examination and correction; you must control appet.i.te, pa.s.sion, pride, envy, evil-speaking, resentment, and each [25]

one of the innumerable errors that worketh or maketh a lie. Then you can give to the world the benefit of all this, and heal and teach with increased confidence. My students can _now_ organize their students into a.s.socia- tions, form churches, and hold these organizations of their [30]

[Page 138.]

own,-until, in turn, their students will sustain them- [1]

selves and work for others.

The time it takes yearly to prepare for this national convention is worse than wasted, if it causes thought to wander in the wilderness or ways of the world. The de- [5]

tail of conforming to society, in any way, costs you what it would to give time and attention to hygiene in your ministry and healing.

For students to work together is not always to co- operate, but sometimes to coelbow! Each student should [10]

seek alone the guidance of our common Father-even the divine Principle which he claims to demonstrate,- and especially should he prove his faith by works, ethi- cally, physically, and spiritually. Remember that the first and last lesson of Christian Science is love, perfect [15]

love, and love made perfect through the cross.

I once thought that in unity was human strength; but have grown to know that human strength is weakness,- that unity is divine might, giving to human power, peace.

My counsel is applicable to the state of general growth [20]

in the members of the National Christian Scientist a.s.so- ciation, but it is not so adapted to the members of students' organizations. And wherefore? Because the growth of these at first is more gradual; but whenever they are equal to the march triumphant, G.o.d will give [25]

to all His soldiers of the cross the proper command, and under the banner of His love, and with the "still, small voice" for the music of our march, we all shall take step and march on in spiritual organization.

Your loving teacher, [30]

MARY BAKER G. EDDY

CONCORD, N. H., May 23, 1890

[Page 139.]

N. B. I recommend this honorable body to adjourn, [1]

if it does not disorganize, to three years from this date; or, if it does disorganize, to meet again in three years.

Then bring your t.i.thes into the storehouse, and G.o.d will pour you out a blessing such as you even yet have not [5]

received.

M. B. G. E.

To The First Church Of Christ, Scientist, Boston.

(_For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty_ [10]

_through G.o.d to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down_ _imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the_ _knowledge of G.o.d, and bringing into captivity every thought to the_ _obedience of Christ._-2 COR. X. 4, 5.

In April, 1883, I started the _Journal_ of Christian [15]

Science, with a portion of the above Scripture for its motto.

On December 10, 1889, I gave a lot of land-in Boston, situated near the beautiful Back Bay Park, now valued at $20,000 and rising in value-for the purpose [20]

of having erected thereon a church edifice to be called The Church of Christ, Scientist.

I had this desirable site transferred in a circuitous, novel way, at the wisdom whereof a few persons have since scrupled; but to my spiritual perception, like all [25]

true wisdom, this transaction will in future be regarded as greatly wise, and it will be found that this act was in advance of the erring mind's apprehension.

As with all former efforts in the interest of Christian Science, I took care that the provisions for the land and [30]

[Page 140.]

building were such as error could not control. I knew [1]

that to G.o.d's gift, foundation and superstructure, no one could hold a wholly material t.i.tle. The land, and the church standing on it, must be conveyed through a type representing the true nature of the gift; a type morally [5]

and spiritually inalienable, but materially questionable -even after the manner that all spiritual good comes to Christian Scientists, to the end of taxing their faith in G.o.d, and their adherence to the superiority of the claims of Spirit over matter or merely legal t.i.tles. [10]