Chapter VIII: Precept Upon Precept (4)

The National Board of Management has placed upon me the responsibility of representing the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution upon the [10] General Committee, and this circular is sent to every member of the society, asking for her personal coopera- tion in making the undertaking successful. In creating the bell it is particularly desired that the largest number of persons possible shall have a part in it. For this reason [15] small contributions from many persons are to be asked for, rather than large contributions from a few. They are to be of two kinds:—

_First:_ Material that can be made a part of the bell; articles of historic interest will be particularly appre- [20] ciated—gold, silver, bronze, copper, and nickel can be fused.

_Second:_ Of money with which to pay for the bell. Each member of the society is asked to contribute one cent to be fused into the bell, and twenty-five cents to [25] pay for it. She is also asked to collect two dollars from others, in pennies, if possible, and send with the amount the name of each contributor. In order that the bell shall be cast April 30th, the anniversary of the inaugu- ration of George Washington as the first President of [30] the United States, we ask every one receiving this cir- cular _to act at once_.

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In forwarding material to be melted into the bell, please [1] send fullest historical description. This will be entered carefully in a book which will accompany the bell wherever it goes.

... As the motto has not yet been decided upon, any [5] ideas on that subject will be gratefully received; we will also welcome suggestions of events to be celebrated and names to be commemorated.

Very cordially yours,
MARY DESHA,
_ex-Vice-President General, D. A. R._

Contributions should be sent to the Liberty National Bank, corner Liberty and West Streets, New York, and a duplicate letter written, as a notification of the same, to Miss Mary Desha, 1505 Penna. Ave., Washington, [15] D. C., or to Miss Minnie F. Mickley, Mickleys, Pa.

We would add, as being of interest, that Mrs. Eddy is a member of the above organization, having been made such by the special request of the late Mrs. Harrison, wife of the ex-President, who was at that time the Presi- [20] dent thereof.—ED.

Angels

When angels visit us, we do not hear the rustle of wings, [1] nor feel the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but we know their presence by the love they create in our [25] hearts. Oh, may you feel _this_ touch,—it is not the clasping of hands, nor a loved person present; it is more than this: it is a spiritual idea that lights your path! The Psalmist saith: “He shall give His angels charge

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over thee.” God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in [1] turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for to- morrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment. What a glorious inheritance [5] is given to us through the understanding of omnipresent Love! More we cannot ask: more we do not want: more we cannot have. This sweet assurance is the “Peace, be still” to all human fears, to suffering of every sort. [10]

Deification Of Personality

Notwithstanding the rapid sale already of two editions of “Christ and Christmas,” and many orders on hand, I have thought best to stop its publication.

In this revolutionary religious period, the increasing [15] inquiry of mankind as to Christianity and its unity— and above all, God’s love opening the eyes of the blind—is fast fitting all minds for the proper reception of Christian Science healing.

But I must stand on this absolute basis of Christian [20] Science; namely, Cast not pearls before the unprepared thought. Idolatry is an easily-besetting sin of all peoples. The apostle saith, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”

The illustrations were not intended for a golden calf, [25] at which the sick may look and be healed. Christian Scientists should beware of unseen snares, and adhere to the divine Principle and rules for demonstration. They must guard against the deification of finite personality. Every human thought must turn instinctively to [30]

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the divine Mind as its sole centre and intelligence. Until [1] this be done, man will never be found harmonious and immortal.

Whosoever looks to me personally for his health or holiness, mistakes. He that by reason of human love or [5] hatred or any other cause clings to my material per- sonality, greatly errs, stops his own progress, and loses the path to health, happiness, and heaven. The Scrip- tures and Christian Science reveal “the way,” and per- sonal revelators will take their proper place in history, [10] but will not be deified.

Advanced scientific students are ready for “Christ and Christmas;” but those are a minority of its readers, and even they know its practicality only by healing the sick on its divine Principle. In the words of the [15] prophet, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.”

Friends, strangers, and Christian Scientists, I thank you, each and all, for your liberal patronage and scholarly, artistic, and scientific notices of my book. This little [20] messenger has done its work, fulfilled its mission, retired with honor (and mayhap taught me more than it has others), only to reappear in due season. The knowledge that I have gleaned from its fruitage is, that intensely contemplating personality impedes spiritual growth; even [25] as holding in mind the consciousness of disease prevents the recovery of the sick.

Christian Science is taught through its divine Prin- ciple, which is invisible to corporeal sense. A material human likeness is the antipode of man in the image and [30] likeness of God. Hence, a finite person is not the model for a metaphysician. I earnestly advise all Christian Scientists to remove from their observation or study

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the personal sense of any one, and not to dwell in thought [1] upon their own or others’ corporeality, either as good or evil.

According to Christian Science, material personality is an error in premise, and must result in erroneous con- [5] clusions. All will agree with me that material portraiture often fails to express even mortal man, and this declares its unfitness for fable or fact to build upon.

The face of Jesus has uniformly been so unnaturally delineated that it has turned many from the true con- [10] templation of his character. He advances most in divine Science who meditates most on infinite spiritual sub- stance and intelligence. Experience proves this true. Pondering on the finite personality of Jesus, the son of man, is not the channel through which we reach the [15] Christ, or Son of God, the true idea of man’s divine Principle.

I warn students against falling into the error of anti- Christ. The consciousness of corporeality, and what- ever is connected therewith, must be outgrown. Corporeal [20] falsities include all obstacles to health, holiness, and heaven. Man’s individual life is infinitely above a bodily form of existence, and the human concept an- tagonizes the divine. “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” on page 229, third and fourth para- [25] graphs, elucidates this topic.(5)

My Christmas poem and its illustrations are not a text- book. Scientists sometimes take things too intensely. Let them soberly adhere to the Bible and Science and Health, which contain all and much more than they [30] have yet learned. We should prohibit ourselves the

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childish pleasure of studying Truth through the senses, [1] for this is neither the intent of my works nor possible in Science.

Even the teachings of Jesus would be misused by sub- stituting personality for the Christ, or the impersonal [5] form of Truth, amplified in this age by the discovery of Christian Science. To impersonalize scientifically the material sense of existence—rather than cling to per- sonality—is the lesson of to-day.

A Card

My answer to manifold letters relative to the return of members that have gone out of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, is this: While my affec- tions plead for all and every one, and my desire is that all shall be redeemed, I am not unmindful that the Scrip- [15] tures enjoin, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

To continue one’s connection with this church, or to regain it, one must comply with the church rules. All who desire its fellowship, and to become members of it, [20] must send in their petitions to this effect to the Clerk of the church; and upon a meeting being called, the First Members will determine the action of the church on this subject.

Overflowing Thoughts

In this receding year of religious jubilee, 1894, I as [26] an individual would cordially invite all persons who have left our fold, together with those who never have

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been in it,—all who love God and keep His command- [1] ments,—to come and unite with The Mother Church in Boston. The true Christian Scientists will be welcomed, greeted as brethren endeavoring to walk with us hand in hand, as we journey to the celestial city. [5]

Also, I would extend a tender invitation to Christian Scientists’ students, those who are ready for the table of our Lord: so, should we follow Christ’s teachings; so, bury the dead past; so, loving one another, go forth to the full vintage-time, exemplifying what we profess. But [10] some of the older members are not quite ready to take this advanced step in the full spirit of that charity which thinketh no evil; and if it be not taken thus, it is impracti- cal, unfruitful, Soul-less.

My deepest desires and daily labors go to prove that [15] I love my enemies and would help all to gain the abiding consciousness of health, happiness, and heaven.

I hate no one; and love others more than they can love me. As I now understand Christian Science, I would as soon harm myself as another; since by breaking [20] Christ’s command, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,” I should lose my hope of heaven.

The works I have written on Christian Science con- tain absolute Truth, and my necessity was to tell it; therefore I did this even as a surgeon who wounds [25] to heal. I was a scribe under orders; and who can refrain from transcribing what God indites, and ought not that one to take the cup, drink all of it, and give thanks?

Being often reported as saying what never escaped [30] from my lips, when rehearsing facts concerning others who were reporting false charges, I have been sorry that

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I spoke at all, and wished I were wise enough to guard [1] against that temptation. Oh, may the love that is talked, be _felt_! and so _lived_, that when weighed in the scale of God we be not found wanting. Love is consistent, uni- form, sympathetic, self-sacrificing, unutterably kind; even [5] that which lays all upon the altar, and, speechless and alone, bears all burdens, suffers all inflictions, endures all piercing for the sake of others, and for the kingdom of heaven’s sake.

A Great Man And His Saying

Hon. Charles Carrol Bonney, President of the World’s [11] Congress Auxiliary, in his remarks before that body, said, “No more striking manifestation of the interposi- tion of divine Providence in human affairs has come in recent years, than that shown in the raising up of the [15] body of people known as Christian Scientists, who are called to declare the real harmony between religion and Science, and to restore the waning faith of many in the verities of the sacred Scriptures.”

In honest utterance of veritable history, and his own [20] spiritual discernment, this man must have risen above worldly schemes, human theorems or hypotheses, to conclusions which reason too supine or misemployed cannot fasten upon. He spake inspired; he touched a tone of Truth that will continue to reverberate and renew [25] its emphasis throughout the entire centuries, into the vast forever.

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Words Of Commendation

_Editor of The Christian Science Journal_:—Permit me to say that your editorial in the August number is _par_ _excellence_.

It is a digest of good manners, morals, methods, and [5] means. It points to the scientific spiritual molecule, pearl, and pinnacle, that everybody needs. May the Christlikeness it reflects rest on the dear readers, and throw the light of penetration on the page; even as the dawn, kindling its glories in the east, lightens earth’s [10] landscape.

I thank the contributors to _The Christian Science_ _Journal_ for their jewels of thought, so adapted to the hour, and without ill-humor or hyperbolic tumor. I was impressed by the articles entitled “The New Pas- [15] tor,” by Rev. Lanson P. Norcross, “The Lamp,” by Walter Church, “The Temptation,” a poem by J. J. Rome, etc.

The field waves its white ensign, the reapers are strong, the rich sheaves are ripe, the storehouse is ready: pray [20] ye therefore the God of harvest to send forth more laborers of the excellent sort, and garner the supplies for a world.

Church And School

Humbly, and, as I believe, divinely directed, I hereby [25] ordain the Bible, and “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” to be hereafter the only pastor of

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The Church of Christ, Scientist, throughout our land [1] and in other lands.

From this date the Sunday services of our denomina- tion shall be conducted by Readers in lieu of pastors. Each church, or society formed for Sunday worship, [5] shall elect two Readers: a male, and a female. One of these individuals shall open the meeting by reading the hymns, and chapter (or portion of the chapter) in the Bible, lead in silent prayer, and repeat in concert with the congregation the Lord’s Prayer. Also, this First [10] Reader shall give out any notices from the pulpit, shall read the Scriptures indicated in the Sunday School Les- son of the _Christian Science Quarterly_, and shall pro- nounce the benediction.

The First Reader shall read from my book, “Science [15] and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” alternately in response to the congregation, the spiritual interpreta- tion of the Lord’s Prayer; also, shall read all the selec- tions from Science and Health referred to in the Sunday Lessons. [20]

The Reader of the Scriptures shall name, at each reading, the book, chapter, and verses. The Reader of “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” shall commence by announcing the full title of this book, with the name of its author, and add to this announcement, [25] “the Christian Science textbook.” It is unnecessary to repeat the title or page. This form shall also be observed at the Communion service; the selections from both the Bible and the Christian Science textbook shall be taken from the _Quarterly_, as heretofore, and this Lesson shall [30] be such as is adapted to that service. On the first Sunday of each month, except Communion Sunday, a sermon

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shall be preached to the children, from selections taken [1] from the Scriptures and Science and Health, especially adapted to the occasion, and read after the manner of the Sunday service. The children’s service shall be held on the Sunday following Communion Day. [5]

No copies from my books are allowed to be written, and read from manuscripts, either in private or in pub- lic assemblies, except by their author.

Christian Scientists, all over the world, who are let- terly fit and specially spiritually fitted for teachers, can [10] teach annually three classes only. They shall teach from the Christian Science textbook. Each class shall consist of not over thirty-three students, carefully selected, and only of such as have promising proclivities toward Christian Science. The teacher shall hold himself mor- [15] ally obligated to look after the welfare of his students, not only through class term, but after it; and to watch well that they prove sound in sentiment, health, and practical Christian Science.

Teaching Christian Science shall be no question of [20] money, but of morals and of uplifting the race. Teachers shall form associations for this purpose; and for the first few years, convene as often as once in three months. Teachers shall not silently mentally address the thought, to handle it, nor allow their students to do thus, except [25] the individual needing it asks for mental treatment. They shall steadily and patiently strive to educate their students in conformity to the unerring wisdom and law of God, and shall enjoin upon them habitually to study His revealed Word, the Scriptures, and “Science and [30] Health with Key to the Scriptures.”

They shall teach their students how to defend them-

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selves against mental malpractice, but never to return [1] evil for evil; never to attack the malpractitioner, but to know the truth that makes free,—and so to be a law not unto others, but themselves.

Class, Pulpit, Students’ Students

When will you take a class in Christian Science or [6] speak to your church in Boston? is often asked.

I shall speak to my dear church at Boston very seldom. The Mother Church must be self-sustained by God. The date of a class in Christian Science should depend [10] on the fitness of things, the tide which flows heavenward, the hour best for the student. Until minds become less worldly-minded, and depart farther from the primitives of the race, and have profited up to their present capac- ity from the written word, they are not ready for the [15] word spoken at this date.

My juniors can tell others what they know, and turn them slowly toward the haven. Imperative, accumula- tive, sweet demands rest on my retirement from life’s bustle. What, then, of continual recapitulation of tired [20] aphorisms and disappointed ethics; of patching breaches widened the next hour; of pounding wisdom and love into sounding brass; of warming marble and quench- ing volcanoes! Before entering the Massachusetts Meta- physical College, had my students achieved the point [25] whence they could have derived most benefit from their pupilage, to-day there would be on earth paragons of Christianity, patterns of humility, wisdom, and might for the world.

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To the students whom I have not seen that ask, “May [1] I call you mother?” my heart replies, _Yes_, if you are doing God’s work. When born of Truth and Love, we are all of one kindred.

The hour has struck for Christian Scientists to do their [5] own work; to appreciate the signs of the times; to dem- onstrate self-knowledge and self-government; and to demonstrate, as this period demands, over all sin, disease, and death. The dear ones whom I would have great pleasure in instructing, know that the door to my teaching [10] was shut when my College closed.

Again, it is not absolutely requisite for some people to be taught in a class, for they can learn by spiritual growth and by the study of what is written. Scarcely a moiety, compared with the whole of the Scriptures and [15] the Christian Science textbook, is yet assimilated spirit- ually by the most faithful seekers; yet this assimilation is indispensable to the progress of every Christian Scientist. These considerations prompt my answers to the above questions. Human desire is inadequate to adjust the [20] balance on subjects of such earnest import. These words of our Master explain this hour: “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.”

My sympathies are deeply enlisted for the students of students; having already seen in many instances their [25] talents, culture, and singleness of purpose to uplift the race. Such students should not pay the penalty for other people’s faults; and divine Love will open the way for them. My soul abhors injustice, and loves mercy. St. John writes: “Whom God hath sent speaketh [30] the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by meas- ure unto him.”

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My Students And Thy Students

Mine and thine are obsolete terms in absolute Christian [2] Science, wherein and whereby the universal brotherhood of man is stated and demands to be demonstrated. I have a large affection, not alone for my students, but for thy [5] students,—for students of the second generation. I can- not but love some of those devoted students better than some of mine who are less lovable or Christly. This natural affection for goodness must go on _ad libitum_ unto the third and fourth and final generation of those who [10] love God and keep His commandments. Hence the following is an amendment of the paragraph on page 47(6) of “Retrospection and Introspection”:—

Any student, having received instructions in a Primary class from me, or from a loyal student of Christian Science, [15] and afterwards studied thoroughly “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” can enter upon the gospel work of teaching Christian Science, and so fulfil the command of Christ. Before entering this sacred field of labor, the student must have studied faithfully the latest edi- [20] tions of my works, and be a good Bible scholar and a devout, consecrated Christian.

These are the indispensable demands on all those who become teachers.

Unseen Sin

Two points of danger beset mankind; namely, making [26] sin seem either too large or too little: if too large, we

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are in the darkness of all the ages, wherein the true sense [1] of the unity of good and the unreality of evil is lost.

If good is God, even as God is good, then good and evil can neither be coeval nor coequal, for God is All-in- all. This closes the argument of aught besides Him, aught [5] else than good.

If the sense of sin is too little, mortals are in danger of not seeing their own belief in sin, but of seeing too keenly their neighbor’s. Then they are beset with egotism and hypocrisy. Here Christian Scientists must [10] be most watchful. Their habit of mental and audible protest against the reality of sin, tends to make sin less or more to them than to other people. They must either be overcoming sin in themselves, or they must not lose sight of sin; else they are self-deceived sinners of the [15] worst sort.

A Word To The Wise

Will all the dear Christian Scientists accept my tender greetings for the forthcoming holidays, and grant me this request,—let the present season pass without one [20] gift to me.

Our church edifice must be built in 1894. Take thither thy saintly offerings, and lay them in the outstretched hand of God. The object to be won affords ample oppor- tunity for the grandest achievement to which Christian [25] Scientists can direct attention, and feel themselves alone among the stars.

No doubt must intervene between the promise and event; faith and resolve are friends to Truth; seize them,

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trust the divine Providence, push upward our prayer in [1] stone,—and God will give the benediction.

Christmas

This interesting day, crowned with the history of Truth’s idea,—its earthly advent and nativity,—is [5] especially dear to the heart of Christian Scientists; to whom Christ’s appearing in a fuller sense is so precious, and fraught with divine benedictions for mankind.

The star that looked lovingly down on the manger of our Lord, lends its resplendent light to this hour: the [10] light of Truth, to cheer, guide, and bless man as he reaches forth for the infant idea of divine perfection dawning upon human imperfection,—that calms man’s fears, bears his burdens, beckons him on to Truth and Love and the sweet immunity these bring from sin, sick- [15] ness, and death.

This polar star, fixed in the heavens of divine Science, shall be the sign of his appearing who “healeth all our diseases;” it hath traversed night, wading through darkness and gloom, on to glory. It doth meet the [20] antagonism of error; addressing to dull ears and undis- ciplined beliefs words of Truth and Life.

The star of Bethlehem is the star of Boston, high in the zenith of Truth’s domain, that looketh down on the long night of human beliefs, to pierce the darkness and [25] melt into dawn.

The star of Bethlehem is the light of all ages; is the light of Love, to-day christening religion undefiled, divine Science; giving to it a new name, and the white stone in token of purity and permanence. [30]

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The wise men follow this guiding star; the watchful [1] shepherd chants his welcome over the cradle of a great truth, and saith, “Unto us a child is born,” whose birth is less of a miracle than eighteen centuries ago; and “his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty [5] God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

My heart is filled with joy, that each receding year sees the steady gain of Truth’s idea in Christian Science; that each recurring year witnesses the balance adjusted more on the side of God, the supremacy of Spirit; as shown [10] by the triumphs of Truth over error, of health over sick- ness, of Life over death, and of Soul over sense.

“The hour cometh, and now is, when the true wor- shippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.” “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made [15] me free from the law of sin and death.” “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Press on, press on! ye sons of light,
Untiring in your holy fight, [20]
Still treading each temptation down,
And battling for a brighter crown.

Card

In reply to all invitations from Chicago to share the hospitality of their beautiful homes at any time during [25] the great wonder of the world, the World’s Fair, I say, Do not expect me. I have no desire to see or to hear what is to be offered upon this approaching occasion.

I have a world of wisdom and Love to contemplate, that concerns me, and you, infinitely beyond all earthly [30]

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expositions or exhibitions. In return for your kindness, [1] I earnestly invite you to its contemplation with me, and to preparation to behold it.

Message To The Mother Church

_Beloved Brethren_:—People coming from a distance [5] expecting to hear me speak in The Mother Church, are frequently disappointed. To avoid this, I may here- after notify the Directors when I shall be present to address this congregation, and the Clerk of the church can inform correspondents. Your dual and impersonal [10] pastor, the Bible, and “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” is with you; and the Life these give, the Truth they illustrate, the Love they demonstrate, is the great Shepherd that feedeth my flock, and leadeth them “beside the still waters.” By any personal pres- [15] ence, or word of mine, your thought must not be diverted or diverged, your senses satisfied, or self be justified.

Therefore, beloved, my often-coming is unnecessary; for, though I be present or absent, it is God that feed- eth the hungry heart, that giveth grace for grace, that [20] healeth the sick and cleanseth the sinner. For this consummation He hath given you Christian Science, and my past poor labors and love. He hath shown you the amplitude of His mercy, the justice of His judgment, the omnipotence of His love; and this, to compensate [25] your zealous affection for seeking good, and for labor- ing in its widening grooves from the infinitesimal to the infinite.