Interesting Squibs

Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

What if others suffer shipwreck, yet none that sail with Jesus have ever been stranded yet.

It is not opinions that man needs: it is TRUTH. It is not theology; it is God. It is not religion: it is Christ. It is not literature and science; but the knowledge of the free love of God in the gift of His only-begotten Son.

Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.

Every thought is an embryo,

Every word is a planted seed;

Look to it well that the seed ye sow

Be for the flower and not the weed!

It is the Devil’s masterpiece, to make us think well of ourselves.

Greece, so much praised for her wisdom, never produced but seven wise men. Judge of the number of fools!

He who has not a good memory, should not take upon himself the trade of lying.

The apparent motion of the earth is from the rising to the setting sun, when her real motion is from the setting sun towards the rising. So it is with man: he fancies himself journeying from life to death, while in fact he is travelling from death unto life.

It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link of the chain of destiny can be handled at a time.

He who receives a good turn, should never forget it: he who does one, should never remember it.

Moliere said that doctors are those who pour out medicine about which they know little, into bodies about which they know less, in order to cure diseases about which they know nothing at all.

I have now disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give them, and that is the Christian religion.

Every man has in himself a continent of undiscovered character. Happy is he who acts the Columbus to his own soul.

Back to the top of the page

History Corner

Excerpts from History of The Christian Science Movement, Vol.1

With Mary Baker Eddy’s thought turning constantly toward a Mother Church, she knew that everything to be connected with it must be put upon a Scientific basis, and one of these necessities was a hymn-book which would be entirely in accord with the teachings of Christian Science. In its services the church had used, first, the “Social Hymn and Tune Book,” and later “Select Songs,” was used in conjunction with it. While these were very good hymnals in their way, there were many stanzas that could not be used.

In 1890, when the beginnings of a Christian Science Hymnal were made, several compilations for Christian Science church services were on the market. Mrs. Eddy felt, however, that a hymnal should be made up and published under the auspices of her church so that it should always be kept as a standard. With this decision reached, a committee on the Hymnal was selected, including Prof. Lyman Brackett as Chairman, Julia Bartlett, William B. Johnson (William Lyman Johnson’s father), Susie M. Lang, E. H. Hall, and W. G. Nixon, all of the Boston area, and Mrs. Chas. Thomas of New York City.

Some were entrusted the labor of the selection of the words, and to others, the selection of the music. The production of this book was one of great effort, for those whose work it was to select the words found themselves very much restricted. Unhappily, there were not many Christian Scientists at that time who were able to write good hymn-stanzas, such as Mrs. Eddy demanded.

Miss Lang of the Committee was busy with her practice, and certain work was allotted to her, but Miss Bartlett and Mr. Johnson acted as a clearing house for all that was sent in for consideration. In his diary and notes for 1891 and 1892, there are very many references to meetings at Miss Bartlett’s rooms, and of her coming to our home to look over hymns. I was given the work of going through the back numbers of the Journal, and selecting what I thought would be of use, and here one might ask, Why were the many excellent verses in the old Journals of 1884-5, etc., not given musical settings? The answer is that most of the authors had left Science or had proved themselves disloyal.

None of those charged with the responsibility of compiling the Hymnal comprehended what an arduous and long-drawn-out task they had undertaken. It was not until about two years later that deliveries were made, and this completed another upward step in the logical and spiritual order which Mrs. Eddy had in mind for the perfection of the Christian Science organization.

In 1897 Mrs. Eddy suggested to the Board of Directors of the Mother Church that should there be at any time a revision made of the Hymnal, she would like to have three hymns added: “I need Thee every hour,” “I’m a pilgrim and I’m a stranger,” and “Eternity.”

The work of the revision of the Hymnal was taken up the latter part of 1898, and it was the aim of the Committee to select for the new Hymnal the music which is best known, and the most used.

The results of this first revision, after curiosity and criticism had subsided, was a great and growing increase in the congregational singing. Within a year the newspapers everywhere were noting that the congregations of no other denomination sang so fervently and enthusiastically as those of Christian Science churches.

Back to the top of the page

From the Early Workers

Christian Science Journal, April 1883

The useless burdens we impose upon ourselves show our lack of wisdom generally.

When we are striving to do good, and our burdens seem heavy, they become light with the thought that we have a burden-bearer, even God, and that we can bear no burden save with His strength. There is no stintedness in Omnipotence. The sun, moon and stars never fail us, and man is never deserted in his need; but we are not the best judges of what we most need, striving, as we so constantly are, after the temporal.

We are each a drop in the ocean of Life, and that is always perfect in its fulness. God never forgets us, and we may rest in His strength. It is our perfect inheritance. The pleasures of this we call “flesh” are like the mirage, attractive, perhaps, in the distance; but as we approach them they are nothing, bringing with them nothing to reward our efforts but a belief of weariness.

Then let us strive to make our gain in the right direction; not in worldly pomp and glitter but in a spiritual growth; then we shall have rest for weariness, a balm for every wounded thought, and peace beyond understanding. Ah! poor, weary mortals, when you understand the rest there is in Infinite strength, how much burden-bearing you will save! Your tiredness will disappear as by magic, and you will realize how little the flesh profiteth you or anyone else. Temporal pleasures are alluring and deceptive; but the rest and peace of eternal Love we have now, at once. You do not believe, because you will not. Christian healing is as attainable to you as to me, and I can prove my faith by works, which comes through the understanding that God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, and that “height, nor depth, nor any other creature can separate” me from Him. We may deny Him and suffer, or we may turn to Him and be strengthened and healed.

Christian Science Sentinel 1901

Now is the touch of spring in the air. Winds may blow, skies darken with threatening clouds, but we know the currents of life are flooding back and naught can stay their progress.

We catch the promise of this new awakening in a bit of blue sky, in the robin’s note, and in the warmer touch of the sun. We quite forget the barren past in the joy we feel as we watch these first, faint signs. “Everything is happy now. Everything is upward striving.”

It is good to watch God’s promise blossom over all the land. Good to watch and learn thereby. Are we, too, making ready for our spiritual birth? Are we removing the old accumulations of self-pride, envy, jealousy, hatred, fear, and malice? Are we raking away the faded leaves of discontent, weariness, and self-seeking? Are we willing to destroy all that will retard or prevent us from being pure reflections of God? Science shows us the way. Are we willing to follow?

Divine Love has opened wide the door that this new spiritual life may be possible to all. O, let us then, with a deep thrill of gratitude, accept our blessing and meekly as a “little child” enter the promised land of flower and fruitage. “Now is the accepted time.” “Now let us put off the old man with his deeds.” “For old things are passed away, behold: all things are become new.”

Christian Science Journal 1885

If left to their natural conclusions, children invariably trace sickness to a cause in sin, rather than to material causes.

A little boy of our acquaintance got angry with his brother, and threw a stone at him. That night he was taken violently ill with diptheretic sore throat, high fever, and pain in his head and limbs. His mother, a Christian Scientist, treated him unavailingly; he grew rapidly worse. Just at a point when the case seemed alarming, the little fellow looked up and said, “Mamma, if I hadn’t thrown that stone at my brother, I shouldn’t have been sick.” Then the mother handled the sin with Science, making the lesson salutary, and the child was cured suddenly.

Except we become as little children, we may not hope to be set free from the bondage of sin into holiness — health.

Christian Science Journal, November 1884

Let progress mark the footsteps

Of Science grand and strong.

“Truth bringeth forth her increase,”

Will be the victor’s song.

Unconscious of the glories

Beaming in Love divine,

We walk this earth in darkness,

Instead of God’s sunshine.

We think of Him as person.

In lieu of Spirit, Mind,

Which fills all space around us

As Principle divine.

A Principle unchanging,

Our only Truth and Life,

Intelligence that governs

Midst all the mortal strife.

By truest understanding

Disease and sin are healed,

Bringing in closer contact

Glories to be revealed.

Then to this understanding

The Spirit calls you now,

And bright will be the jewels

He places on your brow.

Back to the top of the page

Current Articles

I am so grateful, and I just can’t keep it to myself. I am so grateful for Christian Science, and I’m so grateful that the Plainfield Christian Science Church became independent. The information provided from Plainfield is so unique and beneficial. I learn so much from the articles by Herbert W. Eustace, Bicknell Young, Gilbert Carpenter, and Mrs. Martha Wilcox. My life is changing. I love my life. I would like to share with you what I mean.

I was born in El Salvador in 1970. I was raised with no religion. My father was a wonderful father and a military man who kept religion away from us. God always made a way into our lives, however.

In 1980 my father was killed during the civil war in my country. I was present during this event. I was 10. My mother had to leave the county, so she came to the USA to be able to provide for us. We were three girls, and I am the youngest. A neighbor had shared Psalm 91 with us, she said that we should read it if we ever felt scared. I memorized Psalm 91 and fell asleep repeating it many nights.

Because of the death of my father, I found myself lost and confused. One day I told myself that I was going to pretend that my father had not died and try to live my life pretending. At that very moment, I heard a voice that told me that I should not believe lies and that I should learn the truth. The voice told me that He was my real father and I could trust Him. And I did. I lived my life following the counsel of the voice, which I called God.

Since my mother had left, we had to live in different places, with different people, and I always followed the voice of God and I never struggled with anything. People always loved me and cared for me no matter where I went. Every time I felt scared because of the war going on, I was always able to run to God. It was marvelous. It was just like Psalm 91 says, I was dwelling in the secret place of the Most High. My childhood was wonderful because of this relationship I had with God. I remember I read the whole Bible when I was 10 and followed the proverbs to the mark. God showed me and taught me so many wonderful things.

I never followed religion. This was done just by being able to listen to the voice of God and willing to follow Him. I guess that since I was a kid, I didn’t have anything worldly, or mortal mind that could stand in the way.

In my late teens, I gave room to mortal mind and I lost my connection with God. I had tried to gain it back, but I had not been successful. I studied different religions on my own, but it didn’t help — until now that I’ve found Mrs. Eddy’s Christian Science. I am starting to hear the voice of God again. I am starting to go into His presence like I used to, the secret place of the Most High. It’s taking work to regain it, and I’m glad to do the work. There is still a lot for me to learn, but I know that I am going the right way now. Each day it gets better.

I am so grateful for Christian Science and for the Plainfield Christian Science Church. I appreciate all the work that is done in Plainfield.

During the Roundtable of February 24, 2019 titled, Sight, Hearing, Memory, Your Immortal Faculties, we talked about the importance of using our faculties for the glory of God. Mary Baker Eddy writes, “Mind alone possesses all faculties, perception, and comprehension.” (S&H page 488) God is our Mind, our memory, and it’s not glorifying Him to use that to go over negative thoughts!

This reminded me of an incident Martha Wilcox tells about in her book, “Addresses,” while she was working in Mrs. Eddy’s home. She says that one night she asked Mrs. Eddy, “Mother, I did not forget once nor make a mistake, did I?” Mrs. Eddy said, “No, you didn’t.” Later that night Mrs. Eddy asked, “Martha, do you ever forget?” Mrs. Wilcox replied, “Mother, Mind never forgets.” The next morning, Mrs. Eddy said, “Martha, if you had admitted last night that anyone can forget, you would have made yourself liable to forgetting. Whatever error you admit in yourself as real or in another, you make yourself liable to that error.”

The week following this class as I was leaving my driveway, I noticed that the outdoor light was still on. I caught myself thinking, “I bet I’m going to forget to turn the light off all day again.” This Roundtable discussion immediately came to my thought. I was really shocked by my attitude and that I used my memory to remember I was forgetful! This definitely was not using my faculties for the glory of God, nor was it using what I was learning. So, I rebuked the negative thought and affirmed, “God is Mind, He will remind me, and God is my Mind, and I will remember at the right time.” I was firm with myself that I could trust this Truth.

It took a while to do all the errands I needed to do. When I got home, I went into the house and started to do a task when the gentlest, quiet voice came and said, “Lights” while I was very close to the light switch. It was so beautiful because there was no human effort or will power involved. I hadn’t even noticed the light when pulling up the driveway. It was God taking care of the situation. There were two other unique tasks that I also needed to remember, and they were done easily and effortlessly. How important it is to be obedient and hold to the Truth we have been given from the Bible and from Science and Health, by Mary Baker Eddy.

How important it is to take everything to God regardless of how seemingly small. I’m learning here in the Plainfield Christian Science Church, Independent, to do just that.

I had an early morning appointment that required me to drive clear across Washington DC during rush hour traffic. Now, while DC is a fraction of the size of bigger northeast cities, it’s absolutely chock full of cars and I generally do all I can to avoid driving in the City during rush hour. The GPS took me on a route where I had to make a left turn into six lanes of busy traffic without an intersection light. When I realized my situation, panic began to set in and the thought immediately came to get out of the situation. But I pushed that thought aside and reached out to God instead. I prayed, “God you found a way for Moses and the Israelites to cross the red sea, so surely you can open a safe path for me in this traffic.”

A few seconds later a truck in the lane ahead of me simply paused long enough for me to maneuver ahead of him. Then the GPS told me to almost immediately make an upcoming right turn, which means I’d have to move into the right lane. I put my signal on and, once again, a car in the right lane just paused so I was able to change lanes effortlessly.

I’ve been driving for twenty plus years and this has never happened to me! I actually ended up being quite early to my appointment. I am amazed and so very grateful for God’s care and all that I’ve been learning in this church about reaching out to God.

A number of years ago when I was a ski instructor, while skiing down a steep run with one of my supervisors, I crossed my ski tips and fell. My friend asked me why I fell, and I responded logically, or so I thought, because I crossed my skis. His response was that I had focused on a slightly exposed tree stump as I skied past it, and thus looking down, lost my balance. Later I learned to teach students, while skiing in the trees, a good tip was to look between the trees rather than at the trees, because we seem to go in the direction that we are looking.

I realized after coming into Christian Science that this applies to our spirituality also. Mary Baker Eddy writes, “We must look where we would walk, and we must act as possessing all power from Him in whom we have our being.” (S&H) I realized that looking at obstacles rather than the spaces between them is like taking our eyes and focus off God, thus running into the likelihood of crashing into problems we would like to avoid.

I’m grateful to have learned this lesson of keeping my eyes looking up in an attentive way, with the help of my more experienced supervisor. I’m grateful for the guidance of the friends and “elders” here at Plainfield Christian Science Church, Independent, who are continuously guiding and reminding us less experienced Scientists how to stay at-one with God and live our lives in the most fruitful and productive way.

“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.” (Ps. 62:1)

Much is written in the Bible commentaries about this verse, and I thought these paragraphs from MacLaren’s Expositions, about listening silently to God and waiting on Him with all our energy, expressed it beautifully:

“As the flowers follow the sun, and silently hold up their petals to be tinted and enlarged by his shining, so must we, if we would know the joy of God, hold our souls, wills, hearts, and minds still before Him, whose voice commands, whose love warms, whose truth makes fair, our whole being. God speaks for the most part in such silence only. If the soul be full of tumult and jangling noises, His voice is little likely to be heard. … The silence of the soul before God is no mere passiveness. It requires the intensest energy of all our being to keep all our being still and waiting upon Him. So put all your strength into the task, and be sure that your soul is never so intensely alive as when in deepest abnegation it waits hushed before God.”

In a recent Plainfield Bible Lesson on “Unreality,” the Bible quote from IICorinthians 10:3-5 really impressed me: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

The Bible Study on April 6, 2019, also gave me a lot to think about, especially the discussion about Peter. It was brought out that Peter was able to walk on top of the water when his focus was on Jesus, on the Christ; but he began to sink when he shifted his focus to the storm.

Since then every morning, and sometimes during the day, I am really working to keep my focus on the Christ rather than on the world, on matter, the seeming storms of mortal mind or error so that I can do as it says in IICorinthians, “bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

As a result, I am feeling much more peaceful and I am noticing each day my thoughts are more focused and clearer. It is as if I am being straight-jacketed in the best possible way to align my thinking with God’s thoughts, with divine thoughts. It is giving me more clarity, energy, and more faith.

I’m beginning to understand the truth in Mary Baker Eddy’s words, “Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts.” (S&H)

For a few months after I got to know about Christian Science as an adult, I was studying Science and Health. Then I had access to Prose Works, and was also lucky enough that a church member from New Zealand provided us with an original copy of the Blue Book, which has since proved to be an invaluable storehouse of ideas supporting my study.

Along the way, we found the “MBE Institute” and the Bookmark and the works of some other wonderful independent Christian Scientists. I also found Arthur Corey’s class instruction, which dissolved my problem with certain seemingly contradictory statements in Science and Health, by explaining how Science and Health contains absolute and relative statements to meet each reader at his level of understanding. The works of John Doorly, the Morgans, and Alice Orgain showed how the Bible may be interpreted in Science as an individual way, while not losing anything from its essence, only Truth unfolding, multiplying, and being expressed in human consciousness in manifold ways.

After a few years, however, I seemed to still struggle with putting Science into practice, and life seemed to be a constant struggle. This was when I read “Notes from a Class as taught by Laura Sargent.” Laura Sargent, along with Martha Wilcox, was one of the closest workers in Mary Baker Eddy’s home. I found it to state absolute Christian Science in a way that spoke to my heart, and an immediate change took place in my consciousness. I simply could not put the book down.

Then, about a year and a half ago, I found your church’s website. All the collected material is great, and there are so many articles by early workers that I had not seen before. I am especially grateful for the recording of the Martha Wilcox material, as well as Gilbert Carpenter’s “Mary Baker Eddy, Her Spiritual Footsteps,” so clearly and beautifully. The latter, which at first seemed to be a material history of Mrs. Eddy’s household, holds great lessons about translating all things back into Spirit, as well as understanding the intent behind many of Mrs. Eddy’s actions while building this cause.

I am also very grateful for Gary Singleterry for reading the articles by Mrs. Eddy. I think his rich and timeless tone is perfectly suited to carry us back to the sitting room of Mary Baker Eddy, where those items in the compiled articles must have been first heard. I especially gleaned truthful ideas lately from the article titled, “Place.” I listened to it at least twenty times in these last two weeks.

I found that God always provides us with the right inspiration according to our light, and that while Science and Health is our basis to understand the Bible better, all this literature highlights different facets of our true diamond, Christian Science. Thank you for your great work in this church, and for collecting and preserving for all of us the literature still available!

The Responsive Reading in a recent Bible Lesson, from II Corinthians 4, says: “seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; ... if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.”

I certainly felt lost before coming here. I really needed the “good news” of Christ’s Christianity in my life, but it seemed almost completely hidden from me. Had I not met a few people from this church, or had they not been very openly different than other people I have met, I would not be here.

They were different in that, while everyone I knew seemed to be perpetually down-on-their-luck, and full of complaints, here were these people who were friendly, intelligent, loving, and they had this light. Coming from such a dark place, that light was very bright to me, and yet these people always gave me the sense that this light was ready for me and everyone as well. It wasn’t a special club.

Now that I have been here a while, I am so grateful for the fact that their gospel was not hid. Christian Science has given me such purpose and joy! I am also grateful for the way they modeled such Christly love for me. I often look to their example when I am speaking with others, and it has always been what the situation called for.

We never know when our example will change someone’s life for the better — it certainly did for me.

This past Saturday, May 11th, during our Bible study class we discussed watching as we are taught here at Plainfield and I was listening by teleconference. These classes, that are available to all, are such a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the Bible and the correct way to practice true Christian Science. Watching, as taught by Mrs. Eddy, is a protection and a cleansing of our thought and a blessing to mankind. In doing a watch we sit quietly and pray, usually with a topic in mind, and include prayer for our world.

When I heard this discussion, I thought of the oysters that we help raise and how they work at purifying our waters. At our home on a river running into the Chesapeake Bay we help with a program to raise oyster babies or seeds into mature oysters in order to help cleanse the water of the Bay. The oysters, when ready, are picked up from all the participating neighbors by volunteers and brought to various sand bars and oyster reefs where, just by following their God-given nature purify up to 50 gallons of water per day! They cleanse the water as they glean nutrients. Imagine — one oyster will filter 35 to 50 gallons of water each day. The Chesapeake now has these oyster reefs and sand bars in abundance and we’re growing them all the time. What a natural way to clean up our environment and at the same time nourish themselves.

This lesson from the oysters is an example of watching our thoughts in order to strain out the impure ideas and to keep the pure thoughts from God ever present. It’s also a reminder to be diligent and persistent in watching to secure our own protection and at the same time be a help to our world.

Back to the top of the page

In Support of Our Nation, Our World

Day by day we should know that nothing unlike good is taking place. When our liberty is being threatened by the dominating powers of autocracy, we can even take care of that, because the true idea which we individually entertain is Principle, and as we establish our thought on the side of Principle, this Principle is the law that governs and cares for the universe.

True civilization and true government cannot be imposed upon by any individual. Civilization and government are ideas of Mind, and must eventually spring from within. Our Science teaches that man, self-governed by divine Principle, is ideal government. This Mind of government is neither capitalistic nor communistic, but is exclusively and inclusively Christian. This real government seems quite remote, if we look to the testimony of the senses, but looking within, each one of us may establish divine government, and each one of us may exemplify divine government, and, in so doing, we hasten divine government for all mankind.

Civilization will not be destroyed; government will not be destroyed; and the reason they will not be destroyed, but appear better unto their perfection, is because they are already Reality, they are already perfect and established in the Mind of God.

Back to the top of the page

Letters of Gratitude

I love your website; and whenever I listen to any of the discussions, it is beautifully apparent how much you all love Christian Science, Mrs. Eddy, and Jesus, and are happy to say so. The comments are always uplifting and give me joy, which I have missed for a number of years.

When we first begin to follow Christian Science it can seem lonely at times, and it is nice to have a friend going in the same direction to share their inspirations and insights with us.

And for this I thank you all.

I just wanted to express my sincere thanks for the Bible Study and Roundtable discussions this weekend (March 16-17, 2019), and also an earlier session entitled “Financial Rules of the Bible,” which I also listened to very recently. I will certainly be listening to all of these again.

Your church’s teachings make so much more sense than anything I have learned before. My husband and I have in many ways lived the life you described — very frugally to avoid debt, caring for our possessions (I still have and wear a couple of jumpers I knitted for myself as a teenager), being very grateful for the provision of all sorts, and trying to help with gifts when we feel it’s appropriate. Nevertheless, I can see I need to think about how to tithe presently, when I do not have income. I will be praying about this, as your church is doing such an important work and I would very much like to contribute.

I am so grateful for your help, and for finding your amazing church.

I’m so grateful to be a member of the Plainfield Church. Very glad I found this church, which practices Christian Science the way Mrs. Eddy intended. So grateful for the opportunity to be able to participate in church work and activities through the internet and conference calls. It is truly a privilege!

Enclosed is my monthly contribution, sent with much love and thanks to all the dedicated members of this independent church, dedicated to preserving and promoting Mary Baker Eddy’s pure revelation of Christian Science.

Please find attached my application for membership. I am so thrilled to have found your church and its pure Christian Science. Your website and its publications are priceless.

Although I was raised in Christian Science, attended Principia, and took normal class, I was not clear on how to pray and grow in Christian Science. I looked for inspiration, but never found the depth of understanding I was searching for, so I stepped away from Christian Science while raising my children, because I could never seem to handle fear.

I stumbled upon your videos when I was searching for Christian Science lectures on YouTube. They caught my attention, and led me to your priceless website. The Roundtable discussions and Bible Studies have such depth and sincerity. Your videos, publications, and resources have brought Christian Science into a new light for me. I would like to belong to Plainfield Christian Science Church, Independent, and continue to learn how I can serve God and help the world to see Christ through service to Plainfield.

From one of our translators

The love and dedication that you and everyone at the Plainfield Church gives so freely inspire me. I am nurtured by the wonderful work of the Plainfield Church.

Have a wonderful day.

Suya en Cristo,

Thank you to all who make our Bible Studies possible. The topics, questions, and additional readings flow from the one divine Mind, as is the way that the website pages are set up with links to all material. I am grateful for our weekly moderators, as well as those church members who facilitate each weekly session.

I am filled with the love of our Father and, with His ever-present guidance, I seek to constantly live and express Him.

After the Bible Study session held on February 2, 2019, I followed up on one of the books mentioned — Hawthorne Hall by William Lyman Johnson — by looking for a copy online. I located just one available copy, and purchased it. It arrived on Wednesday afternoon.

When I opened up the front cover, I found a handwritten note to the person to whom the book was given as a gift, apparently, many years ago. I started reading the note, and you cannot imagine my surprise and thrill when I got to the bottom of the note and saw that it was written by none other than the author himself, Mr. Johnson! It says, “May the contents of this book surround you with the same spiritual atmosphere which surrounded those students of Mrs. Eddy when she walked among them in Boston, and led them to see with spiritual vision, speak in a new tongue, and heal and save. And may you be led to realize the full value of her poem ‘Christ My Refuge,’ of the seven steps from ‘sense to Soul,’ and that its first three steps are parallel with the ‘three Degrees’ of her ‘Scientific Translation of Mortal Mind.’ Also that the seven steps stand on a ‘golden rule’ by which we can measure our spiritual growth. William Lyman Johnson, March 19, 1947.”

As I realized the preciousness of this book that has come so unexpectedly into my experience, I felt profound gratitude and awe! I know that you are trying to locate as many Christian Science books as possible to build up your library at Plainfield Church. Based on the special note inside this copy, I’m wondering if you’d like to have this specific copy of the book for your library. I’m more than happy to donate it to you at some point, but at the moment I’m already engrossed in reading this precious volume that apparently reveals important historical facts about the early workers and their courage in standing strong against the often turbulent winds of the resistance of mortal mind blowing against them as they continued so bravely with their healing works in the early years of the Christian Science movement, blessing all mankind forever after.

Dear Brethren in Christ our Lord Jesus,

Accept my greetings from France. I am Pastor Mark, an independent teacher and preacher. I just got an opportunity to visit some countries and I build some house churches in different areas in Asia, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Thailand. I found people need the teachings of the Biblical truths. I searched out a lot from the internet and the Holy Spirit led me to Plainfield Church’s website, I read it thoroughly and found an amazing work and teachings, especially the languages section is really heart touching and very useful to win souls for the Lord our God.

In this regard, I need some help to get Gilbert Carpenter’s book “500 Watching Points” into Hindi and Urdu translation. I have seen the wonderful work of Hindi and Urdu weekly lessons. Is it possible for you to provide me this book in both of these languages? This is what the Spirit of my Lord has asked me to talk about with you and find the ways to use this book.

I am in prayers for you and looking for your answer on it.

Plainfield’s Reply:

Thank you very much for your email! We are happy to hear of your work, and that our website reached you.

Currently we don’t have 500 Watching Points translated, but I am going to start getting one or two translated a week. It will be a slow start, but with time, we will get there.

I want to thank the hard-working authors of the Bible Lessons. This week’s Lesson on “Unreality” is superb; very healing. I have read it several times to absorb all the mighty Truths it contains.

Much gratitude, praise, and thanksgiving.

Typically on a Saturday morning, I would sleep in and have a so-called relaxing morning, as I felt I deserved it after working all week. I no longer do that. Rather, I set the alarm so I can be up and ready and not miss the wonderful Bible Studies at Plainfield.

I was raised by a loving Christian grandmother (not Christian Scientist), and as a child I was attentive to some of the Bible stories that were read and explained to our childhood thought; e.g., Jairus’ daughter raised; Daniel in the lions’ den; and of course the nativity story as told in the book of Luke.

I have been speaking with a practitioner from your church; and from some of the discussions I am learning more how to really apply letting God be in control and letting go of my own plan of how best I think they should or should not be carried out. Sometimes it is difficult, as thoughts come up to remind me of something that was said or done to me, and how am I going to fix this or that issue. This takes patience, but trusting God with all of my heart and mind prepares me to be in tune with the divine Mind and to be ready “to give an answer” to anyone of the hope that is in me with meekness and joy.

I look forward to joining in with all of you at Christ’s table each Saturday morning.

Back to the top of the page

Watching Point to Handle Memorial Day

261 — WATCH lest old theology tempt you to feel that there is virtue in paying one’s respects to the dead, as is done on Memorial Day. While we may have to go through the outward form at times, in order to satisfy mortal mind, in our hearts we should use the day wholly to break down the belief that there are any dead, since man never dies. When we assent to the world’s belief in death, we open the way for our dying. Therefore, we should always resist such suggestion and evidence strongly and strenuously.

Memorial Day is as much part of mortal mind’s plan to kill man as are the more obvious and gruesome ways. Memorial Day wars against life by bringing to people’s attention the universal inevitability and necessity for death. It serves to remind those that have forgotten, that death is inescapable and perhaps lurking just around the corner for them. If you do not believe that, take a look at the cemetery! Furthermore, one good look a year is enough to suit the purpose of animal magnetism — enough to quiet any hope or expectancy that one is not going to die.

Once when one of the students asked her permission to put flowers on the graves of Mrs. Eddy’s family on Memorial Day, she replied, “I love you, and thank you, but they sleep not there. Let the dead bury their dead. Jesus.”

Christian Scientists must break the belief that there is such a thing as death, instead of yielding to it, and making it seem beautiful by means of flowers. One cannot neutralize the smell of death by adding to it the perfume of lovely flowers. It must be done mentally.

It is said that a mother pig once instructed her baby as follows: “Now I have just given you a nice mud bath; don’t you dare go out to play and get clean!” Memorial Day says to mortals, “I have just darkened your thought with the suggestion of the inevitability of death; don’t you dare go and cleanse yourself of that error!”

Back to the top of the page

Testimonies of Healing

During the March 3, 2019, Roundtable discussion, I was filled with tears of gratitude. I have been plagued with a persistent and nagging cough, plus shortness of breath. A quote was read from the book, The Christian Healer, about a woman coughing in one of Mrs. Eddy’s classes and the sharp and quick retort Mrs. Eddy gave: “Why are you blaspheming God.” It was also instructed to say, “God good” whenever there was a belief of cough.

I immediately felt free from this coughing and felt the divine Love radiating from everyone at the discussion. I can’t fully explain or describe the overwhelming emotions I felt at the moment; I don’t think there are adequate words to describe it with full justice. I can perhaps grasp a little of what the woman felt after meeting Mrs. Eddy, and the absolute Love she radiated, which colored so vividly the rest of that day for her and her family.

I listened to the service afterwards, and the belief of cough tried to assert itself a few times. I quickly shut it up with “God good,” which I intend to do until the ungodly (not sent by my dear Father/Mother God) belief is obliterated.

I still feel my eyes filling with tears of gratitude, and so humbled to feel God’s love. I’m still working to accept the truth that God loves me no matter what happened in the past, and that His healing is for me, too.

I just want to let you know of this experience and what a wonderful blessing the Roundtable, Bible Study, and services are for the whole world.

When I was 11 or 12 years old, I became very ill. Our family doctor could not determine the problem, so I was placed in the hospital and was scheduled to have an exploratory operation the following morning. I was raised by my grandmother, as my parents were seldom home due to their work. But they were home at this time, and somewhere in their travels they had been told about Christian Science. My mother decided to call the only practitioner in this small city and, bless her courageous heart, she came to the hospital. I awakened the next morning completely well and was sent home.

My parents departed on their travels, but it was decided that I should attend the Christian Science church in an adjoining town. This I began to do at once. It required my leaving my friends at the church I attended, and going alone to catch an early bus for this town where I window-shopped until time for Sunday School. Then I had to run to catch the bus back home.

I remember this teacher very well. Whatever he said really made a deep impression on me even as a small child. I loved what he said, and ever after I identified myself as a Christian Scientist, though it was a decade or so before I really began to study.

I am so grateful to God for this church and the many healings I have had, that have brought about so much change in my life.

Christian Science has completely turned my life around, by opening my eyes and developing in me a deep love for God, Good. Without a true sense of God, I felt so lost in the world. I was filled with hate and anger and did not feel safe. To me living was a punishment that I just wanted to end.

After many years of trying to get help from other sources, nothing changed. I felt like I was living in a rabbit hole with no way out, until I sought the help of a Christian Science practitioner from this church, who had the strength to stand against my demons and pull me up on my feet. She showed me a love that I never knew was possible. The truth she poured out on every claim of injustice, was the light of hope at the end of a very long tunnel. My heart could do nothing but relent, and I began to trust more and cherish the knowledge that she shared with me. To finally have a safe place to dwell, without fear of harm, is something I am truly grateful for. Having left the past behind, I look forward to each new day and the lessons they have to teach, because I now know that God is with me every step of the way.

I am so grateful to God for his loving mercy. I am grateful to Christ Jesus, the way shower, Mrs. Eddy, for this wonderful Science and my practitioner, for all she has done to lift me out of the darkness.

I am so grateful for the clear understanding I am getting of Christian Science since coming to Plainfield, and I am so grateful for all that God has been providing.

Recently I became concerned about my identity being compromised. The practitioner explained that my true identity as a child of God can never be compromised. I am grateful to say that everything worked out beautifully, and not one problem developed. I am very grateful for the help of this practitioner, and for God’s protection.

The other day as I was driving home from work on a very dark and busy road with fast moving traffic, a sudden urge came to me to apply my brakes immediately and slow down. There didn’t seem to be a reason to do this but, thank God, I did listen. I was ahead of several other cars, but there was no one ahead of me.

As soon as I slowed down, right there in front of me, only about five feet away, was a very young deer staring and confused, not knowing what to do with all the headlights flashing from both sides of the road. As soon as I stopped, the other drivers behind me also stopped, and we watched as the young deer walked over to the nearby woods.

If I had not listened to slow down, I would not have seen it and there would have been an accident. All the rest of the way home, I was thanking God for His loving care over us. Then I started to sing praises and thank Him for how He loved me, how he loved us all and it does not matter what we called ourselves — humans, deer, or birds of the air — God made us and He loves us all. He is all-knowing, all-seeing, and all-loving. He makes all our ways perfect, and He keeps His creatures in perfect peace.

I am very grateful for my Plainfield practitioner’s prayers and instructions.

One morning our furnace stopped working. It happened to be on a day in which the temperatures were well below freezing and expected to continue dropping down into single digits. I called to have someone from our oil supply company come out, and I was told it would probably be hours before someone was available.

After I hung up, I called my practitioner and explained the situation. She instructed me to pray for our Wednesday service that evening, and to be firm that nothing could interfere with church work. She told me to be firm that they would come and resolve the problem quickly. It was a proactive stance, unlike my habit of a “wait and see approach.”

No sooner had I hung up the phone, when I was called and told someone was on the way to check the furnace. He cheerfully worked on our furnace and quickly made a needed adjustment and got it running. He suggested we have it serviced soon, and he even called the office to schedule an appointment. He said that there was some time that day and if we would like, he could finish the needed repairs. This was a wonderful working out to have it all completed in the same day. The whole process went quickly, with very little disruption.

How wonderful to be learning that nothing is out of God’s control. It was also a very good lesson for me in the need for constant watchfulness and prayer.

from the Christian Science Journal, February 1887

“FORBID them not,” said the Master

“But let them come unto Me.”

And so they clustered around him,

Meek peasant of Galilee.

They missed not the pomp or glory

To older hearts so dear ;

For they heard the cadence of Heaven

In his tones so strong and clear.

They saw the wonderful city,

Whose streets were of glistening gold;

For they caught the beautiful vision

Of one Shepherd, one flock, one fold.

He gathered them all in his bosom,

Free, henceforth, from sorrow and sin,—

Into that heavenly kingdom

Where discords enter not in.

Again Christ’s spirit is brooding

Over a weary world;

The banners of peace are flying,

Never on earth to be furled.

And again the clear little children,

With innocent hearts and young,

Join in the grand old anthem

The “stars of the morning” sung.

On such as these descendeth

With blessing the healing dove;

Open are they to receive it,

Knowing its author is Love.

Ye who would bar Christian Science

With prejudice, passion or pride,

Watch how it touches the children

Before ye dare to deride!

See how through their meekness the Spirit

Instant witness of God-healing bears

Before in thoughts’ gardens, your sowing

Shall choke the ripe wheat with the tares.

Through suffering, learn ye God’s lesson,

That intellect holds not the key

Which opens the gate of heaven,

But childlike humility.

Back to the top of the page

The Magdalene

Painting by Eric Burfeind

When Plainfield Church first became independent, we were asked, “How will you survive? What will you read?” As you can see below, through the grace of God, we have survived very well, thank you — and flourished!

We began by writing our own Bible Lessons, and then Independent Christian Scientists from all over the world began sending us writings by early Christian Science workers that were not available anywhere else. And we grew from there — and continue to grow.

Websites in Other Languages

Our missionary work is expanding. We have recently launched websites in the languages of Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi — that makes nine different languages! Our newest translator writes, “your Lessons are really faith strengthening and they enlighten the truths of the real message of the Gospel for me personally.” Someone in India writes, “This is amazing and very nice work you have done. Keep it up to reach plenty of Christians in India and other areas of the world.”

Lectures on Christian Science,
by Peter V. Ross

And, our church book store is growing! We have just published a book of Lectures on Christian Science given by Peter V. Ross. This version is accurate and true to the original, just as Mr. Ross first published it. These lectures are wonderfully inspiring, and cover a variety of subjects. His wonderful “plain talking” reaches people at every level, encouraging and healing. This book is available in paperback version from Plainfield Church for $18.00, postage included.

Our Website

Our church website, plainfieldcs.com, has a wealth of inspiring and healing items to read and listen to, including recordings of past services, Bible Studies, and Roundtable discussions.

You will also find a treasure trove of articles and other literature by early workers in Christian Science, including Bicknell Young, Martha Wilcox, Herbert W. Eustace, and many others. There are also audio recordings of many of these articles and books. Audio recordings of the current week’s Bible Lesson, and a Forum to post comments relating to the Lesson are available, and also a Bulletin Board where you can post comments of a more general nature.

YouTube Channel

Our YouTube channel has over 3,000 videos of church services, classes, readings of books and articles, hymns, and music from our services, which are visited regularly by people from all over the world.

Check out all that we have to offer by going to:

YouTube.com/PlainfieldCS

Our Church Publications

Our church publications are available free on our church website, but sometimes it’s nice to have a copy in your hand to refer back to at your leisure, or during the night when there might be a need for comfort. Descriptions and subscription prices are included below.

Newsletter

In alternate months, our church publishes our church Newsletter, “Plainfield Independent.” This publication contains news about church activities, miscellaneous writings, and other fun things that will make you smile, laugh — and think.

Books by Early Workers in Christian Science

Plainfield Church is the source for many books and writings by early workers in the Christian Science movement, many of whom worked in Mrs. Eddy’s home and were taught by Mrs. Eddy herself. These priceless writings are available for purchase at very reasonable prices, and are listed, along with ordering information, on our church website, plainfieldcs.com. Many articles on our church website are excerpts taken from these books, so to have the complete works is a real privilege!

You can find a list of books we have available for purchase by clicking “Store” on the top menu of our website.

Church Membership

“When one sees that Christian Science is the only way, he is ready for church membership, and there is no other requirement.” — Mary Baker Eddy

This is the only requirement for membership in Plainfield Church. We welcome everyone who wishes to become a member and work for God to send in an application, which you can find under the “Members” tab on our website. Or send an email to our clerk at: clerk@plainfieldcs.com.

Our goal was, and still is, to get the Word of God out to people all over the world who need this pure, unadulterated Science, as we did, and still do. So you will see that much of what we provide on our website, plainfieldcs.com, is free. Please feel free to browse through all that we have there. You don’t even have to tell us who you are — we warmly welcome everyone!

But there are expenses involved in maintaining a website, and in maintaining our church home and our church services. So if you are helped by what you find here, and you wish to show your gratitude, please use the “donate” button on the website. It would be greatly appreciated!

Tenets of Christian Science

Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,
by Mary Baker Eddy, pages 496-497

The following is a brief exposition of the important points, or religious tenets, of Christian Science:—

1.     As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life.

2.     We acknowledge and adore one supreme and infinite God. We acknowledge His Son, one Christ; the Holy Ghost or divine Comforter; and man in God’s image and likeness.

3.     We acknowledge God’s forgiveness of sin in the destruction of sin and the spiritual understanding that casts out evil as unreal. But the belief in sin is punished so long as the belief lasts.

4.     We acknowledge Jesus’ atonement as the evidence of divine, efficacious Love, unfolding man’s unity with God through Christ Jesus the Way-shower; and we acknowledge that man is saved through Christ, through Truth, Life, and Love as demonstrated by the Galilean Prophet in healing the sick and overcoming sin and death.

5.     We acknowledge that the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection served to uplift faith to understand eternal Life, even the allness of Soul, Spirit, and the nothingness of matter.

6.     And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure.

A note about the lighthouse sketch by Luanne:

Boston Light — little Brewster Island (outer Boston Harbor), Massachusetts

Boston Light was the first light station in North America and is the country’s oldest continuously used lighthouse site. The original structure, built in 1716, was destroyed during the Revolutionary War. Rebuilt in 1783, it has been called “the ideal American lighthouse.” Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1964, it is the only manned lighthouse in the United States.

“Publish the Word”

Broadcast the Truth

“Freely ye have received, freely give”