About the cover:

From In Defense of Mary Baker Eddy, and the Remnant of Her Seed, by Paul R. Smillie:

In the Christian Science Sentinel of September 6, 1913 on page ten, Archibald McLellan stated three most important points about the cover of the Sentinel and a minor change made at that time on its cover. Speaking of this change he said, “Beyond this there can be neither desire nor occasion for change in the Sentinel, because,” he said, “Mrs. Eddy’s instructions forbid any change.” He explained this by saying, “Mrs. Eddy likewise gave instructions.” The word “instructions” is most important. Speaking then of the two women, the lamps and the inscriptions beneath them, he said they had been “preserved as expressive of our Leader’s thought. ...” Mrs. Eddy requested that the cover of the Sentinel be light blue in color.”

“Only Good Is Contagious”

Christian Science Journal, August 1883
This article was later republished in Miscellaneous Writings

Whatever man sees, feels, or takes cognizance of, must be caught through mind, insomuch as perception, sensation and consciousness belong to mind and not to matter. Floating with the popular current of mortal thought, without questioning the reliability of its conclusions, we do what others do, believe what others believe, and say what others say. Common consent is the only contagion that can make disease catching.

People believe that certain diseases are contagious, and that any one is liable to have them under certain circumstances. This mental state predisposes one to take that disease, when the circumstances appear that he believes cause such a result. If he believed as sincerely that health is catching when exposed to contact with healthy people, he would catch their state of feeling quite as surely, and with better effect than the sick man's. If only the people would believe that good is more contagious than evil, how much less would be the clergy's labor to convert sinners. And if only the pulpit would encourage faith in mind governing the receptivity of the body over all other influences, and would teach man as David taught, “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday,” — the faith of mankind in contagious disease would become beautifully less, and in that same proportion would their faith increase in the power of God, good, to ward off all evil, until the whole human race should become healthier, happier and more Christian. A humane, hopeful, calm state of mind is the better preventative of contagion than a drug or any possible hygienic method, and the “perfect love” that “casteth out fear” is a certain defence against disease of every kind.

Christian Science Sentinel, February 10, 1917

Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health, page 376, “Because the so-called material body is a mental concept and governed by mortal mind, it manifests only what that so-called mind expresses.”

Nothing can be manifested on the body which is not first accepted mentally. If one takes cold while sitting in a draft, it is because it is believed that this could give one a cold. When he learns in Christian Science that God is divine Principle and that he need not suffer for anything but his own sins, and that this suffering should cease when the sin ceases, he need no longer have colds from drafts or from any other material circumstance.

The earnest student of Science and Health knows that if one comes in contact with a case of so-called contagious disease, he does not have to suffer from it, does not have to manifest it in the time prescribed by material belief, or at any other time. He has recourse to the spiritual law which saith, “Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.”

Even if we come under the supposed law of contagion, we have power through divine Mind to destroy it at any minute. Disease does not have to run its course; it has no creator, no life, no intelligence, no reality. We no more have to accept the so-called law of contagion or its effects than we have to submit to years of misfortune if we break a mirror.

Every Wednesday evening a chain of grateful testimony goes around the world from those who have been protected from belief in this counterfeit law through the understanding of the real law of God, good, which they have gained through the study of our textbook.

We must not acknowledge disease as a reality for ourselves or others. It is wiser not to discuss it or even name it. Every one of us can help in freeing our brothers, for it is written, “One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one.” A thousand shadows can be dispelled at the shining of one ray of light.

Every time we deny error and declare the truth, every time we meekly pray for the Mind to be in us “which was also in Christ Jesus,” every time we destroy an ugly little nettle of hatred and plant a flower of love in our thought, we are helping to bring about universal salvation, helping to break the bondage for some brother, helping to prove through our understanding of spiritual law that good alone can be transmitted from one to another.

Christian Science Sentinel, January 14, 1933

According to Scripture it is evident that pestilence and plagues were regarded by the Hebrews as punishment for defiance of and disobedience to God's law. The Israelites supposed that God had sent ills upon them, whereas it is plain that the pestilence and pain were punishments self-inflicted through their disobedience. The mental origin and nature of sickness, including so-called contagious diseases, is thereby plainly shown.

Moses and other Old Testament characters promised protection from sickness for those who conformed to the law of God. However, the important truth as to the origin and nature of so-called disease has long been lost sight of because religious teachings have become permeated with medical theories and material beliefs, and men have been falsely educated to regard both health and sickness as physical conditions. Mankind's fettering fears have been multiplied by the process of examining throats instead of thoughts and looking to non-intelligent medicine rather than divine Mind for healing and protection.

Mrs. Eddy's discovery resulted from her prayerful searching of the scriptures, and thus Christian Science exposes the mental origin and nature of disease and reveals the spiritual means for healing it, no matter what its appearance and appellation may be. This is directly in line with the teachings and promises of the master Metaphysician, Christ Jesus, of whom it is recorded that by spiritual power and means alone he healed “all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people,” and promised that those who believed on him — understood and applied his teachings — should do likewise.

The truth about God and His good creation, as witnessed to in the Bible, constitutes the basis of Christian Science teaching and practice. From the logical basis that God's creation, including man, is good, like himself, Christian Science deduces that whatever is unlike God, such as sin, sickness, fear, limitation, and all discord, is unreal, lawless, and powerless. These Christian Science declarations and deductions are capable of proof by anyone who is honest and humble, and who will consistently cling to the truth about God as taught by Christian Science, and will conform his thinking to that spiritual standard.

To understand in Christian Science that sickness is not primarily physical, since it is a manifestation of fear or other wrong thoughts, which in turn are negative and powerless, destroys both fear of and belief in disease; and thus contagion is conquered Christianly and scientifically.

The alert, unselfish Christian Scientist scientifically clears his own thought of fear and disturbing mental pictures by pouring in the truth about God and man, and he acknowledges gratefully that God's protecting law is irresistibly operative for all. Repeatedly has Mrs. Eddy's statement in “The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany” (p. 116) been verified; “At a time of contagious disease, Christian Scientists endeavor to rise in consciousness to the true sense of the omnipotence of Life, Truth and Love, and this great fact in Christian Science realized will stop a contagion.”

When human belief in limitations, helplessness, and fear gains sway in the thought of the business world, it seems to operate like a contagion. But Christian Science rouses its adherents to handle — prove to be nothing — that claimed contagion with the same perfect assurance which accompanies the conquering of a contagion called sickness. The Christian Scientist, armored with unselfed love and armed with the Word of God, faces every adverse situation or condition fearlessly, because his trust is in Almighty God, who ever careth for His own.

Christian Science Sentinel, January 8, 1903 (reprint from Boston Times)

Unwise and unscrupulous advertising of disease symptoms is conceded by most people to be harmful, yet very little is said against such practice, and few consider to what extent disease becomes prevalent because of much talk about it. When we consider the robust health of our ancestors in the days when less was known of disease, we must admit that with the increase of material knowledge has come an increase of diseases.

Fear is a great factor in the production of disease, and especially infectious and contagious diseases. This can be accounted for on the basis that all causation is mental, that disease originates in the mind of the patient before it is manifested in the body. Though a patient may not be conscious of any fear of a specific disease, his belief in the general uncertainty of health and the laws of contagion place him in a position where he has a standing invitation to all sorts of trouble. Instead, he should dwell in the consciousness of the omnipotence and omnipresence of God, and thereby close the door against the intrusion of disorder of any kind.

It is reasonable, therefore, to conclude that much ado about disease and trouble tends to keep the mind filled with prospective calamity, and not only fosters unrest but makes the individual a more easy prey to disease and trouble! Even accidents and catastrophes more readily reach the fearful than those who are calm and composed.

Sensational stories about casualties, vivid pictures of disease, in its varied symptoms, are not healthful. We should keep in mind the picture of God's child, protected, sheltered and sustained by the divine Omnipotence and Omnipresence, if we would be free from fear and anxiety and governed by the unerring and unfailing Intelligence. Thus we would conform to the requirements set forth in the Scriptural text. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” And the Psalmist's declaration. "Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation: there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.”

There is in the Scriptures no promise of safety and rest in the study of material things, in the contemplation of evils, discords, imperfections, and diseases. This is the promise, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee.” (emphasis added) Many an individual after the careful study of a specific disease has concluded with a well-developed case of that disease.

In the writings of news reports and in the recounting of thrilling adventures, startling developments, dangerous experiences, horrible diseases, the temptation always is to indulge in a vivid portrayal, if not an exaggeration.

What we need is to be governed by divine Principle. When it is understood that the same power which protects and saves from disease provides for all our wants, and mankind are governed accordingly, inconsistency, disease, poverty, and trouble of every description will be effectually and permanently destroyed.

“If the press could be induced to advertise courage instead of circulating fear, an enormous improvement would be rapidly manifested. The effect of the mere corralling of fear would be inestimable. The greatest service any paper, any doctor, any human being can perform for the human race is to teach it to think aright.”

Christian Science Monitor, August 13, 1919

Christian Science Sentinel, April 12, 1919 (reprint from Oakland Enquirer, during 1918 Spanish flu epidemic)

The experiments made at Goat Island [California] by Navy doctors in an effort to learn something about the influenza germ, carry a lesson that every person should study and understand. Fifty young sailors volunteered to become influenza victims, that the doctors might study the disease more carefully. These young men had no fear of the disease; they willingly offered themselves. They were placed with flu patients; they were given jars of flu germs, which they breathed into their lungs; they had flu germs injected into their bodies.

But no cases developed among these fifty sailors! These men had been inoculated; they had been exposed to the disease in every manner; they had breathed in the germs and eaten and slept with flu victims, and not one of them became infected! The medical men confessed themselves baffled. All their ideas of the disease were turned topsy-turvy. The doctors are still wondering. The explanation, however, is simplicity itself, for it was proved by each one of these fifty young men.

These fifty young men volunteered to act as subjects upon which to be experimented. This showed clearly that they did not fear the disease.

Christian Science Sentinel, March 29, 1900 (Reprinted from Woodlawn Times, excerpt)

The power of thought as a governing influence is being acknowledged by the best thinkers of to-day, even in the medical profession. Many medical writers hold that cholera is a nervous disease and can be propagated by mental conditions. Even infection may be produced by mental emotion.

Christian Scientists pray to destroy the thought force of disease lurking in the universal human mind. Christian Scientists believe that physiology lays the foundation of fear in the young, to be eradicated later. They are taught that disease is of mental origin and faith in rules of health fastens the disease by calling attention to this condition.

Since children are more sensitive to surrounding influences and more susceptible to fear, Christian Scientists protest against children being taught in school that disease is lurking about to attack them in an unguarded moment.

An Eastern fable says, “A pilgrim met the Plague one day and asked his destination. ‘I'm going to Bagdad to kill five thousand people,’ said he. In a short time they met again and the pilgrim said: ‘You told me you were going to Bagdad to kill five thousand, and you have killed fifty thousand.’ ‘No,’ replied the Plague, ‘I killed only five thousand, as I said I would, while forty-five thousand died from fright.’”

If an epidemic could originate in a mental condition could it not be prevented by the same force?

If all pulpits would encourage faith in this direction, that Mind is the governing influence, theology would teach as David taught, “Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.” — Woodlawn Times, Woodlawn Park, Ill.

At a time of contagious disease, Christian Scientists endeavor to rise in consciousness to the true sense of the omnipotence of Life, Truth, and Love, and this great fact in Christian Science realized will stop a contagion.

Miscellany, page 116

Christian Science Journal, August 1927

Christian Science comes to prove that mankind can have immunity from all forms of evil. This immunity, however, rests not on one’s own personal ability or one's circumstances, nor yet on antitoxins or other components of one’s material body, but on the truth which brings about right thinking. Did not Jesus teach that “out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: these are the things which defile a man”? Christian Science shows that lack of ability, lack of supply, and lack of health, all are of the nature of false witness about man, the spiritual man.

Men as a rule do not go about in fear of being falsely accused in court, for they trust the law of the land. Then why should men fear that they will be accused of such evils as poverty and sickness? Simply because they do not trust in the law of God, good, for protection. Some may even ask in surprise, “Will the law of good protect me?” Yet Paul says, “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

Christian Science shows that man is not a sinning mortal, subject to a law of evil. Man is in reality the perfect spiritual child — idea — of God, made in God's image and likeness, as stated in the first chapter of Genesis.

Just as one who is innocent may be falsely accused of a crime, so God's perfect man may be falsely accused of sin, sickness, and mortality. Who is the accuser? The term “accuser” is used in the Bible as a name for the devil, of whom Jesus said, “He is a liar, and the father of it.” The false accuser is therefore a lie and a liar. Who, then, accepts as true the story of the accuser? Obviously, only those who do not know the truth. This was brought out by Christ Jesus when he said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

In Science and Health Mary Baker Eddy writes, “When the body is supposed to say, ‘I am sick,’ never plead guilty.” Would it help one to insist that he is guilty? Would it not be far more helpful to say, "I may seem to be guilty, but I am sure of my innocence." It does not require time to make the innocent person innocent; neither does it require time to make God's man perfect. Time, however, may be required in a court of law to establish the innocence; and so in human problems it sometimes requires time to prove man's perfection. Jesus overcame that which seems to be step by step. He met the temptations in the wilderness as they arose; next, he proved man's immunity from every form of evil; then came the resurrection and the ascension.

In the Glossary of Science and Health “Jesus” is defined in part as “the highest human corporeal concept of the divine idea.” As the truth about God as omnipresent good and about man as the manifestation of God, good, is learned, thought is gradually purified from belief in evil. The purer the thinking becomes, the less aggressive will be the shadow of evil, until there is no shadow left; for man will then know himself even as he is known by God. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

I am so grateful for Christian Science. The past two years we have been hearing quite a bit about the pandemic and vaccines and contagion. But it is good to know in Christian Science that we do have perfect immunity, and it lies in our expression of Life, Truth and Love. The radiation of joy keeps us immune from all these false suggestions which seem to lead to physical problems when they go unhandled.

At one time in my life I suffered from colds, flu, and everything else during the winter. A practitioner, who was helping me with a cold that lasted several weeks, told me that a cold is a form of crying. I realized then that I had been depressed, and even crying at that time; and it seemed to have taken form in this cold. This left a big impression on me.

The work that we do in this Science does not just stop in a day, in a week, or even in a year; it is continuous. So, the next year, thinking about colds being a form of crying, I made sure that I was expressing much joy and gratitude and that I was not going to be depressed, whining, or full of self-pity about anything. As I expressed joy and gratitude and all the good qualities of God, I never did come down with a cold or the flu. That was a wonderful winter, and so it has been ever since.

God gives us immunity from anything that is not like Him. That is His law! In Mrs. Eddy’s wonderful article titled “Contagion,” in Miscellaneous Writings, she says, “If only the people would believe that good is more contagious than evil, since God is omnipresence, how much more certain would be the doctor’s success, and the clergyman’s conversion of sinners. And if only the pulpit would encourage faith in God in this direction, and faith in Mind over all other influences governing the receptivity of the body, theology would teach man as David taught: ‘Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.’”

In 1905 on the 13th of June, our Leader called all her members to pray each day for the amicable settlement of the war between Russia and Japan. On the 27th of June, she requested us to cease our special prayer and explained (in Miscellany, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 280) her insight and God’s blessing.

Today we have an even greater demand that our Leader has made (in Miscellaneous Writings, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 177): “The hour is come. THE GREAT BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON IS UPON US. The powers of evil are leagued together in secret conspiracy against the Lord and against His Christ, as expressed and operative in Christian Science. ... Will you give yourselves wholly and irrevocably ...to the salvation of the world from error, sin, disease, and death? Answer at once and practically, and answer aright.” (emphasis added)

Our duty to mankind is right now and immediately, to pray daily for the destruction of this pandemic and its agencies in social media and their miasma in promoting this error. We must deny it, rebuke it, and affirm God as All in All — letting this baseless evil fall.

In Christian Science versus Pantheism (pages 5 and 6) she has shown us how we must do this, and just as Jesus did it, cast it down as a lie and we must continue our work until it falls. Put our heel with our full weight of prayer and rebuke upon this LIE and LIAR until it is cast out into its own oblivion.

Our Leader writes the following in Miscellaneous Writings, page 22: “Christian Science translates Mind, God, to mortals. It is the infinite calculus defining the line, plane, space, and fourth dimension of Spirit. It absolutely refutes the amalgamation, transmigration, absorption, or annihilation of individuality. It shows the impossibility of transmitting human ills, or evil, from one individual to another; that all true thoughts revolve in God’s orbits: they come from God and return to Him, — and untruths belong not to His creation, therefore these are null and void. It hath no peer, no competitor, for it dwelleth in Him besides whom ‘there is none other.’”

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter.” Ecclesiastes 12: 13 from page 340 of Science and Health, by Mary Baker Eddy

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From Mrs. Eddy

Painting by Dale Adler

Science and Health, First Edition, pages 192-193

The error of the age is teaching without proof, and not practicing what you preach. Personal sense is error; but the Principle of all being is infallible; therefore, the nearer we approach unto it, the nearer we are to God, that appoints us more solemn trusts as we advance higher, but if false to His commissions, in vain do we attempt to cover it from Wisdom. You may hide your ignorance of spiritual things from the eyes of the world, but can never gain the understanding and demonstration of the science of Life, without an honest, high, and God-given purpose.

Sin is thought before it is deed, and you must master it in the first, or it conquers you in the second instance. Jesus said, to look with foul desire on forbidden objects, breaks a moral precept; hence, the stress he laid on the character of a man that is hidden from our perception. Evil thoughts reach farther, and do more harm than individual crimes, for they impregnate other minds and fashion your body. The atmosphere of impure desires, like the atmosphere of earth, is restless, ever in motion, and calling on some object; this atmosphere is laden with mental poison, and contaminates all it touches. When malicious purposes, evil thoughts, or lusts, go forth from one mind, they seek others, and will lodge in them unless repelled by virtue and a higher motive for being. All mental emanations take root and bear fruit after their own kind. Consider, then, the guilt of nurturing evil and impure thoughts, that send broadcast discord and moral death. Sooner suffer a doctor infected with small-pox to be about you, than come under the treatment of one that manipulates his patients’ heads, and is a traitor to science.

Christian Science Journal, August 1883

Grave on her monumental pile,

She won from vice, by virtue's smile,

Her dazzling crown, her sceptred throne,

Affection’s wreath, a happy home.

The right to worship deep and pure,

To bless the orphan, feed the poor,

Last at the cross to mourn her Lord,

First at the tomb to hear his word.

To fold an angel’s wings below,

And hover o’er the couch of woe,

To nurse the Bethlehem babe so sweet,

The right to sit at Jesus' feet.

To form the bud for bursting bloom,

The hoary head with joy to crown,

In short, the right to work and pray,

“To point to heaven and lead the way.”

Christian Science Journal, June 1883

Nerves are neither the source of pain nor of pleasure. We may suffer or enjoy without nerves, as in dreams, and that pain or that pleasure is not communicated through a nerve. A limb that has been amputated, or a tooth that has been extracted, has seemed to ache again. We have seen an unwitting attempt to scratch the end of a finger that had been cut off for months. When the nerve is gone, that we say occasioned pain, and yet the pain returns, it shows very plainly that the sensation is in mind and not matter.

Reverse the case, take away mortal mind, and nerves are proven sensationless. When the sick recover from the use of drugs, it is because of a law of mortal mind, a general belief culminating in individual faith, and according to this faith will the effect be found upon the body.

But take away the confidence reposed in the drug by the individual and you have not divested it of the general faith. The chemist, the botanist, the druggist, the pharmaceutist, the doctor and nurse equip it with their united faith and the majority rules, so you have a strong element of mortal mind to produce the result that you would attribute to the inanimate drug; and if your own belief or faith is lacking, the majority of beliefs rule the minority. The only antidote for disease, is the remedy for error, namely, Truth.

Let us have a clearing up of abstractions. Let us come into the presence of Him who removeth all iniquities, and healeth all our diseases. Let us attach our sense of Science to what touches the religious sentiment within man. Let us open our affections to the Principle that moves all in harmony, — from the falling of a sparrow to the rolling of a world. Above Arcturus and his sons, broader than the solar system and higher than the atmosphere of our planet, is the Science of mental healing.

What is the kingdom of heaven? The abode of Spirit, the realm of the real. No matter is there, no night is there — nothing that maketh or worketh a lie. Is this kingdom afar off? No: it is ever-present here. The first to declare against this kingdom is matter. Shall that be called heresy which pleads for Spirit — the All of God, and His omnipresence?

The kingdom of heaven is the reign of divine Science: it is a mental state. Jesus said it is within you, and taught us to pray, “Thy kingdom come.”

Miscellaneous Writings 174: 6-25

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History Corner

The Age-Herald, Sunday, January 20, 1907

The recent attacks by the New York World upon Mrs. Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, and the alleged history of her life as published in McClures Magazine, have brought out many protests from the press of both America and England. These protests clearly show that these attacks upon Christian Science are not favorably received by the press or public, and while meeting with the condemnation they deserve, have subserved the purpose of awakening public interest in this rapidly growing religious body and created a demand for the truth concerning it.

It will be remembered that the Associated Press, the Publishers Press, all the large newspapers of New York and Boston sent representatives to Concord, N.H., to investigate the charges made by the World. These twenty or more men and women made a thorough investigation and were also given an interview with Mrs. Eddy at her home, Pleasant View.

Among these newspaper representatives was Sibyl Wilbur O’Brien, a newspaper representative of high standing who has contributed two excellent articles of her experience to the December and January numbers of “Human Life.” She writes: “I have seen Mrs. Eddy four times within the past two years, always in Pleasant View as her guest. I have been in most all the rooms of Pleasant View, from the kitchen to the drawing rooms and the chambers and offices, even Mrs. Eddy’s own sleeping room. There is no mystery about that house. It is as open as the leaves of a book; but only it is not open to the rude and vulgar as is a village tavern.”

Sibyl O’Brien writes most interestingly of her four interviews with Mrs. Eddy, giving also her own opinions and reflections. Her insight and appreciative vision being the most interesting from the fact that she is not a Christian Scientist, but a Catholic. Every charge made was proved to be false. She quotes: “It looks to me as though the New York World has made a fool of itself,” said a prominent New York journalist, A. J. Vivien of the New York Times, sent to Concord to be present at the interview granted by Mrs. Eddy. “The charges are extravagant and unwarranted,” said Will Irwin, managing editor of McClure’s, who was also on the spot directing his forces in gathering a story similar in intent, namely the investigation of loopholes in the Christian Science faith.

The following is quoted from an article by the well-known English writer. “John Strange Winter” (Mrs. Stannard), in The Lady of Fashion, regarding the recent attack upon Mrs. Eddy. She says:

“The indecencies of journalism have, I think, impressed me more during the course of my life than perhaps anything else has ever done. There are times when one feels proud of one’s press, when one feels that it is an organization on which we may justly pride ourselves. But there are other times when I am bound to admit and confess that its indecencies turn one’s very soul sick.

“At the present time I am feeling this more strongly than usual, for during the last few days there have been columns of sensational writing in the papers dealing with the purely private and personal life of a very great woman, ... I speak of Mrs. Eddy, the founder and organizer of Christian Science, a woman whom everybody may well acknowledge to be one of the public benefactors of the world, whether her teaching is accepted in every detail or not. That Mrs. Eddy is an exceptionally gifted woman of the purest life and the noblest instincts, I think there will not be found one right thinking person in this whole world to deny. A woman who has brought the consolation of a simple, clear, and singularly pure idea of religion to many thousands of men and women surely might be regarded as one somewhat set apart from the curse of vulgar curiosity. Her life has been characterized by dignity, purity and extreme refinement of feeling. That such a woman, whose whole life has proved her to be deeply religious in the truest sense of the words could turn from her habitual ways of thought is manifestly absurd.”

The able and fearless editor of The Arena, Mr. B. J. Flower, has dealt exhaustively with this subject in an article published in the January number of his magazine entitled “The Recent Reckless and Irresponsible Attacks on Christian Science and Its Founder.”

“In thus protesting against a reckless, false and brutal attack on … a woman who is loved, honored and revered by hundreds of thousands of intelligent people … and one whose life in her home city has won for her the love and respect of the community, and in protesting against this and other attacks made on the religious convictions of a large and intelligent body of our citizens, I wish to clearly state my own position. I am not writing as a Christian Scientist. “But I do know that it has achieved and is achieving a great work in healing the sick of afflictions of body, mind and soul; that it is giving hope and courage to tens of thousands of sorrow-darkened lives; that it is transmuting hate into love and bitterness into spiritual exaltation in the cases of thousands of lives.

So little a violet—

   How great was the love it brought!

It bloomed ere the sun was set,

So little a violet

The sun could scarce see it—yet

   It came from the great Love’s thought;

So little a violet—

   How great was the love it brought!

Mine is so little a song,

   Like the violet just from your hand;

If but one shall hear in the throng,

(Mine is so little a song)

It may serve to make one heart strong,

   Though it be not heard in the land.

Mine is a little glad song,

   Like the violet just from your hand.

William McKenzie wrote a number of poems, seven of which were put to music and can be found in our Hymnal:

Hymn 93, “Happy the man whose heart can rest”

Hymn 150, “In mercy, in goodness, how great is our King”

Hymn 228, “Love divine, that dwells serene”

Hymn 275, “Praise now creative Mind”

Hymn 339, “There are none friendless, none afraid”

Hymn 359, “Trust the Eternal”

Hymn 381, “What brightness dawned in resurrection”

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Interesting Squibs

It is an old story of the Scotch Presbyterian who said: “That the devil is bad you can tell by his very name; for, if you take away the d it is evil, and take away the de it is vile, and take away the dev it is ill, so that he is an ill, vile, evil devil!”

Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason.

I’m not convinced the world is in worse shape than it ever was. It’s just that in this age of almost instantaneous communication we bear the weight of problems our forefathers only read about after they were solved.

Liberty, like chastity, once lost, can never be regained in its original purity.

No man is defeated without, until he has first been defeated within.

The most thoroughly wasted of all days is that on which one has not laughed.

He who does not get fun and enjoyment out of every day needs to reorganize his life.

I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do. That is character!

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.

Size isn't everything. The whale is endangered, while the ant continues to do just fine.

Education is useless without the Bible. The Bible was America’s basic text book in all fields. God’s Word, contained in the Bible, has furnished all necessary rules to direct our conduct.

Establishing lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is keep us out of war.

The finest inheritance you can give a child is to allow it to make its own way completely on its own feet.

Some people get an education without going to college. The rest get it after they get out.

Because God is the living God, He can hear; because He is a loving God, He will hear; because He is our covenant God, He has bound himself to hear.

Whenever the insistence is on the point that God answers prayer, we are off the track. The meaning of prayer is that we get hold of God, not of the answer.

Happy are those who have Christ with them in the morning, for they shall walk with Him all day, and sweetly rest with Him at even tide.

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Watches to Work with Often

Watch Message from September 16, 2017

“O, sometimes gleams upon our sight,
Through present wrong, th’ eternal right;
And step by step, since time began,
We see the steady gain of man.”

from Hymn 238 in the Christian Science Hymnal, words by John Greenleaf Whittier

Mankind is gaining in the march spiritward, and our Roundtable, Church service, and Sunday School stand as a guiding torch in this onward progress. The disturbances in this world are not the reality of things, but rather mortal belief, which drives man to seek and find God. The purity of Truth cannot be compromised, and our fidelity to this position in Plainfield Church’s activities is upheld by God. This truth does reach the heart, and it blesses man. This blessing cannot be reversed.

“We are in the midst of a revolution; physics are yielding slowly to metaphysics; mortal mind rebels at its own boundaries; weary of matter, it would catch the meaning of Spirit. The only immortal superstructure is built on Truth; her modest tower rises slowly, but it stands and is the miracle of the hour,”

from Christian Healing, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 11:6-11

Watch Message from August 26, 2021

“In the Apocalypse, when nearing its doom, this evil increases and becomes the great red dragon, swollen with sin, inflamed with war against spirituality, and  ripe for destruction. It is full of lust and hate, loathing the brightness of divine glory.”

from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 565 (emphasis added)

God is the only power — eternal and triumphant! This attack on spirituality and all things right and good is doomed to utter destruction. That “brightness of divine glory” shines the Light of Truth on — and exterminates — tyranny and evil of every sort! The Light of God is precise, persistent, and cannot be extinguished. There can be no opposition to this one and all-powerful Light. The mesmerists are no longer hidden, working undetected in the dark. They are exposed and brought out from under cover to be destroyed. Error cowers in fear as its lies are laid bare and fall by their own heavy burden — the weight of falsity. What God has established stands forever and can never be removed!

“The zeal and enthusiasm for democracy and things spiritual must be recaptured. Lethargy and inertia have brought them perilously near the precipice. There is still time to arouse ourselves and act heroically, but none too much. ‘Awake thou that sleepest,’ cries the apostle, ‘and Christ shall give thee light.’”

from Lectures on Christian Science by Peter V. Ross, page 229

Watch Message from February 18, 2017

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” — Psalm 46: 10, 11

By the love of God we are united in His service. Our Roundtable, Church service, and Sunday School are the one divine Mind in action, harmonious and vital. Animal magnetism cannot keep any sincere heart from feeling God’s love and being a part of it. The contentions of this world melt away before the Principle of all power, which is God, whose name is Love. The world is blessed by the Spirit of our activities tomorrow morning. Nothing can oppose it.

“Christian Science can and does produce universal fellowship. As the sequence of divine Love it explains love, it lives love, it demonstrates love. The human, material, so-called senses do not perceive this fact until they are controlled by divine Love; hence the Scripture, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’”

from Miscellany, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 275:3-8

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From the Early Workers

Christian Science Journal, September 1913

The world at large has little idea of its indebtedness to Christian Science and its Discoverer and Founder, Mary Baker Eddy. But the public certainly deserves to be enlightened concerning many benefits conferred by the mere presence of Christian Science in the world today. I refer especially to the preventive and curative influence due to the habit of rejecting error and affirming Truth, which becomes second nature to those who practice Christian Science.

Right thinking is potent even if unacknowledged. Righteousness is a thousandfold more effective in controlling public thought than fear, greed, or dishonesty. Whoever is in the act of exposing the groundlessness of fear by right thinking — by the spiritual understanding of God as Mind and man as mental — is therefore performing a service to mankind. As he becomes less fearful, instead of adding to the fear in the world, he is now engaged in subtracting from that total.

Suppose a sick person has been instructed by Christian Science to recognize the validity of God's law above every supposed law of matter. Through this recognition, fear will be eliminated, inflammation will be checked, and recovery will be assured. The silent and perhaps unnoticed operation of discrediting fear turns the scales and determines a happy outcome for the apparent victim of disease.

Again, suppose a business crisis to be threatening. What would be the outcome? Christian Science is now proving to businessmen they cannot be induced to accept fear with respect to business. They can reject it and its works through their higher understanding of the source of all supply, the loving Father-Mother God, Mind, whose law means plenty. This spiritual understanding of divine Mind as substance tends to calm apprehension and to undermine fear. He then becomes an influence for right living and being in the world, and acts as a bulwark against the invading hosts of fear, of bitterness and resentment. Such a one becomes a veritable defense against the forces which would disrupt society and tear civilization to tatters by enthroning self-will and self-aggrandizement.

By teaching man to work out his own salvation through spiritual growth, Christian Science is also correcting the common fault of expecting salvation from the material side, as from governmental enactments. The world at large is being benefited by the practical methods which Christian Science is introducing of turning man's attention to God’s government, and thereby making him content to work out the ends of human government quietly and systematically.

Christian Science is turning a tired world to find strength, joy, satisfaction, and salvation in God. In every emergency the man who is a right thinker becomes an element of protection to his environment, even though he is unknown to those who are benefiting by his righteousness. In the hour of danger and of fear, under the threat of destruction, his unshaken trust in God works marvels for public safety and health. The presence of Christian Science in human consciousness is already mitigating the dangers and softening the sufferings of mankind where least expected. Its benefits, now already known to many, will presently be acknowledged by all.

How many men would it take to save the city in the hour of peril? The Scriptures are very definite in showing that quality, not quantity, constitutes the saving factor, that it is spiritual understanding and not numbers which conquers evil and sets free the prisoners of sin and sickness. In the Bible we read the illustration contained in Ecclesiastes: “There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.”

Mrs. Eddy likens “the poor” to “the receptive thought” (S&H). Then that “poor wise man,” according to Christian Science, may be described as representing that quality of thought which is wise with spiritual understanding and is receptive of more light. This quality of thought delivers the city (public and private consciousness) from the assaults of the carnal mind which besiege it, and builds great bulwarks against it.

It is of the very nature of Christian Science practice that it should work without clamor. It is engaged in making unreal a multitude of false beliefs which assail human consciousness, and in wiping them out so effectually that the very memory of them is completely gone. The presence of Christian Science in human consciousness is already mitigating the dangers and softening the sufferings of mankind where least expected.

Christian Science Sentinel, September 20, 1930

The recorded experiences of Paul, that intrepid soldier of Christ, contain many illuminating lessons. One recorded in chapter 27 of Acts tells of the ship upon which Paul and other prisoners were being carried to Rome. After casting about to find a favorable harbor on the rocky shore, they had finally dropped anchor at “a place which is called The fair havens.” The master of the ship, however, wished to start out again, in spite of Paul's warnings to the contrary. “Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. ... And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.” The supposedly favorable wind, however, proved but a false friend, for the record goes on to state that "not long after there arose ... a tempestuous wind" followed by high seas and shipwreck, and Paul and the others narrowly escaped with their lives.

The Christian Scientist smiles as he reads that “when the south wind blew softly,” as he knows just how alluring it can be. The south wind, soft and slumberous, may be said to typify a state of apathy, deceived and deceiving, dreamily content with ease in matter, that treacherous sense of peace brought about the mental state referred to in Jesus' parable of the ten virgins. The young maidens waited, with lamps lighted; but on the occasion of the parable, the bridegroom had been long in coming, and the oil in the lamps had burned out. The five wise virgins had replenished their lamps, but the five foolish ones slept on until, with the bridegroom actually at the door, they suddenly awoke to find that they had no oil. As we know, they tried to borrow quickly from the others, but were refused. And when they attempted to enter, unprepared, the quiet voice of the bridegroom was heard saying, “I know you not;” the door was shut upon them, and they were left outside, in the darkness.

The word “oil” as defined, in part, by Mrs. Eddy is "consecration." (S&H) The meaning of the parable is then plain. The five foolish virgins did not enter simply because they could not; no one, however desirous, can give to another “consecration.” Consecration is not the work of a moment, to be acquired suddenly just as we begin to need it. It cannot be borrowed, begged, stolen, bought, sold, or bartered for. Consecration means daily, hourly, constant, unceasing, unswerving, tireless devotion to one supreme endeavor. Above all, it means that love which “never faileth.” Can any price be too great to pay for this oil? And yet impudent mortal mind, rubbing its sleepy eyes, says, Just lend me a little!

It would be as if one should say to some experienced and daring aviator: I should like to handle a plane as you do, and I have an hour or so this morning which I can spare; suppose you give me some of your skill, or let me buy it. An aviator cannot give, lend, or sell his skill, born of his devotion of time and thought to the one achievement. In like manner, while one may be helped through the consecrated effort of another, if he wishes to know how to demonstrate the truth for himself, and have the joy of doing it, he himself must work.

Consecration does not mean a spasmodic desire for holiness, an emotional ecstasy of the moment, a faith which endures only so long as the south wind blows and skies are blue. “Let us not sleep, as do others,” says the apostle, “but let us watch and be sober.” Those who are awake and watching realize that there never was a time in the history of the Christian Science movement when it did not need the loving support of every one of its members. To-day, as always, there is need for us to stand by our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy. When the south wind blows too softly and too long, the wise mariner does not drift off into unsuspected danger. He climbs up into the crow's nest, and looks ahead.

Christian Science Journal, August 1898

“Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” — Jeremiah, 9:23, 24 .

Some years ago I read two stories in a book of biographies, that made a deep impression upon my mind; but in the light of Christian Science, they seem to have a fuller and more significant meaning than ever before. The first was the life history of Wynne Stanley, the builder of the second of the three lighthouses erected on the Eddystone Rock, on the coast of Cornwall, in the English Channel. After the first lighthouse had been destroyed, he came forward with plans which he confidently submitted for approval. He declared that he could erect a building proof against the most extreme tests from wind and wave. Ultimately the contract was awarded to him. Operations were thereupon commenced at once, and with all possible speed the structure was brought to completion. To prove to the world his full confidence in his own work, Mr. Stanley volunteered to stay in the lighthouse for the first two weeks in October, during the equinoctial gales, which is considered the most severe season of the year. The proposal was agreed to, and Wynne Stanley was safely housed with ample stores, when the winds began to blow, and the waves rose higher and higher. Soon the night came on, the people on the shore saw the beacon light shining brightly out at sea, but it lasted only for a short season. In the morning they looked towards the rock for the lighthouse, but it was not there. Some wreckage on the shore told the tale, — beams and timbers were washed up upon the beach; but nothing was ever heard of the man whose work had been tested and found wanting. Wynne Stanley has been forgotten, except when cited as an example of the folly of boastfulness.

The second story is an account of the work of Thomas Telford, the builder and designer of the beautiful suspension bridge that crosses the Menai Straits in North Wales. At that time this great engineering achievement was looked upon as one of the seven wonders of the world. It was then by far the greatest span in existence. Mr. Telford, unlike our former acquaintance, was a man of retirement. His great industry, skill, and engineering ability were known by their results. After having met and overcome all the many problems incident to this vast undertaking, the work was it’ll last brought to a successful termination. A day was fixed for the opening ceremony, and representative this most of the countries Europe were present to witness this triumph of modern construction. At the banquet following the opening of the bridge a vote of congratulation was passed to the man whose untiring perseverance had broken down so many human limitations, and had risen above all precedent in the history of his profession. Mr. Telford, however, could not be found. A messenger was at last dispatched to his house. Receiving no answer he entered the half-open door, but seeing no one within, he went back to the rear of the house, and there found the hero of our store on his knees in prayer, thanking God from the fulness of his heart for the wisdom and strength that had been given to him during the accomplishment of his work.

Mr. Telford's name will go down to posterity in the many evidences of industry that he left behind him.  This bridge has done service for nearly a century, and when passing over it a few years ago, I saw no signs of decay or deterioration.

Mrs. Eddy's powerful words on page 184 of her new publication. “Miscellaneous Writings,” connect these two stories, and teach the true import of their lesson, namely, — “If man should say of the power to be perfect which he possesses, 'I am the power,' he would trespass upon divine Science, yield to material sense, and lose his power.”

Christian Science Sentinel, March 19, 1938

In “No and Yes” Mrs. Eddy asks, “What but silent prayer can meet the demand, ‘Pray without ceasing’?” The prayer of pure desire for Godlikeness—and this, of course, includes health—is inspired, strengthened, and blessed through our study and application of Christian Science.

Every pure desire originates in divine Mind, and so-called mortal mind cannot frustrate it. Genuine aspiration is destined to merge into inspiration, and finally into full realization of spiritual perfection. Actually, it is ours now, for God, Spirit, is perfectly reflected throughout the one spiritual creation. Christ, Truth, unfolds to every obedient watcher the perfection of man’s being.

What, then, would claim to suspend our righteous prayer? It is mortal mind, the rejecter of Truth. Spiritual understanding rejects the darkening, discouraging suggestion that one cannot help being half-hearted, fearful, faithless, faltering, and that one’s trust and perseverance are unequal to the tests confronting them. There are no erroneous traits, aggressive or passive, in divine Mind or in God’s man. The lying arguments of mortal mind do not deceive one who is acquiring the art of true praying “without ceasing.” The prayer of understanding calls for fidelity and supplies it. This prayer pierces the fog of material sense and is a perpetual spur to progress. Into “the secret place of the most High,” the sanctuary of spiritual consciousness, no fear or hurtful belief has ever penetrated. There is always more to learn of the infinitude of good, and this learning is praying, that is, communing with the reality of being.

Praying without ceasing means maintaining right mental activity. It means reflecting Love without ceasing, even though enmity and unkindness may seem rampant and personal. It means rejoicing despite the temptation to be sorrowful. It means staunchly affirming the presence and power of God, and denying every claim or semblance of an opposite presence or power, for there is none. Praying without ceasing means realizing and proving that as God’s reflection we are always obedient, and therefore always upheld by the power of divine Principle.

Mary Baker Eddy writes (S&H): “The highest prayer is not one of faith merely; it is demonstration. Such prayer heals sickness, and must destroy sin and death.” Progress in prayer and demonstration comes not through the mere passing of time, but through the unwavering acknowledgment that in the eternality of good and its eternal manifestation there is no belief in time or imperfection. There is only conscious spiritual harmony, everlasting completeness, and infinite freedom.

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Current Articles

Painting by Dale Adler

The August 29, 2021, Roundtable at Plainfield Church was wonderful. It was so inspiring to finally hear a church have the courage to speak the truth, as well as the Truth. I am going to listen again, as it was such a powerful meeting. I agreed with everything, especially how important it is that we are all working and not just reliant on a practitioner.

I discovered Plainfield Church about a year ago. Through listening to the live and recorded services and discussions, as well as numerous articles and other recordings, so beautifully read, I am now able to say how grateful I am to our dear Leader, Mary Baker Eddy. To my shame, I never really gave her much thought at all, and the first time I read Science and Health, where she talks about having been unfairly treated, I actually thought she might be exaggerating.

It is through listening, mostly to the Roundtables, that I began to get a sense of the gift she gave to the world in Christian Science. I glimpsed something of her achievement in doing so, and some of the challenges that she battled, never losing her love for God and for all humanity, especially her enemies. I have gained so much from reading the articles on the Plainfield website by those who lived and worked or were taught by Mrs. Eddy. These have been so helpful.

Through listening to these discussions, I heard about Longyear Museum and have watched many of the museum’s films about her life and struggles. These films are so well done, and really helped me understand how difficult things got; from becoming a widow and facing homelessness, to a court case claiming she was mentally unfit. Time and again she rose above it all, meeting every challenge with dignity, faith, and love. Reading a book called We Knew Mary Baker Eddy helped me gain a better understanding of what it might have been like to be with her and learn from her. Through reading this book in particular, my love and deep respect for our Leader has become solid and tangible. Thank God for the dedicated people who worked to collect all the memoirs.

Christian Science gives us the opportunity to enjoy life with such incredible freedom from the fear of sin, and death. I quickly realized that one reason for the intense and almost immediate backlash against Mrs. Eddy and her movement was that the mass population is at its least profitable when healthy and without fear. At a time when certain big industries were discovering their potential for vast profits, Christian Science must have posed quite the threat as it spread like wildfire across the world. It is little wonder there must have been such sustained attempts to dishonor its Founder and Leader. I am so grateful to the Plainfield Church for educating me and helping me see the Truth. Your work is truly life changing.

Much love to you all from England!

We’ve been taught in this church that we can apply Bible promises to our day-to-day lives. Several weeks ago, I had an opportunity to prove the truth of this. I noticed what I call ant “scouts.” These are single ants wandering around the master bath counters and shower, and on the kitchen counters. While this is a pretty common occurrence from time to time in the summer, there seemed to be more than the usual number of them. I was being extra careful about not leaving anything on the counter with food on it.

Finally, I realized I needed to do something, so I “put my foot down” and repeated and worked with verses 9 and 10 of the 91st Psalm: “Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation: There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.” Those ants do not belong in my house! They have the great outdoors!

The next day the ants were gone and I didn’t even see any ants outside for a while either, which is unusual. They didn’t even go after the hummingbird food when it was spilled on the back patio by the woodpecker. Again, very unusual. In the past, these ant “scouts” were a precursor to the ants getting into something, and I would have a major clean up to do. So I am very grateful for this demonstration.

I want to thank this church and all its Warriors of God, Truth. I thank all of you who have stood, watched, and prayed for us and loved us via your Christian practice. It has paved the road for me to apply the Truth you have been standing for.

I lost my wallet three days prior to traveling on a plane. First, my car had a flat tire and there were no tires in stock, so I had to rent a car for a couple of days prior to my trip. The wallet had been misplaced when returning the rental car. I knew the wallet could not be lost in Mind, but no wallet was recovered at home. Next, I tried the practical route of calling the rental car company, with no success, and even went to their office, but it wasn’t there.

After much prayer, yet no wallet, I called a practitioner in Plainfield. The practitioner reminded me of these things:

1. God is all-knowing
2. God knows where it is
3. Nothing is lost in God, Mind
4. Past, present and future are all in sync, in harmony with God
5. I know where it is and I know what to do
6. God did not make a dishonest person.

I thanked her and considered what she shared with me. I felt good about it, and was able to let it go. I felt happier to just have those statements to work with, and was less concerned about the wallet. These truths covered so much more than “lost wallet.” I began to realize how I had permitted myself all through my life to accept the false ideas of loss and being lost! I added to what the practitioner told me, “There is no loss in me or of me, I am not lost and nothing is lost in God, Mind. Thank you God!”

So, I went on my trip and all went well. I cancelled my credit cards and found they had not been used. So, I thought it must be around somewhere, and then I let it go again.

When I returned home I put another request in for the rental car company. As I was re-entering a new request, I saw they posted on their online lost and found, a found wallet. I knew that was my wallet!

I went back to the rental car company and said, “I believe you have my wallet.” She looked down at her hands and was holding my wallet. She was processing it right at that moment, and handed it to me. Everything was there perfectly intact.

In the center of my wallet was a statement from Mrs. Eddy: “Love is All Powerful, Love is All Seeing, Love is Everpresent, Thy Kingdom Has Come, Thy Will is done here on Earth as it is in Heaven and Earth is Heaven.” She said you will never lack if you put that in your wallet. I have not lacked. This experience helped me to realize all things are possible to God, to relax and trust God no matter what.

One of my early conversations with my Plainfield practitioner, after I became acquainted with the church, was what could I do to contribute to the church. She didn’t tell me that I could volunteer on this committee or that committee, but indicated that all who come to the church and want to contribute would naturally find their place, where they could serve. I loved hearing this because it put God directly into the unfoldment of what that would be, instead of a human opinion.

In listening to Plainfield services, Bible Studies, Roundtables, Watches, I already could see how others found their places to serve. My career background involved researching, analyzing, finding the truth, and then making appropriate arguments that allowed others to see the truth, so it wasn’t strange to be directed to continue doing the things I had done in my job, and this work is a constant blessing.

The following poem expresses how I feel:

At Thy Command

In Thy way, Father, and at Thy command

Would I fulfill the purpose Thou has planned.

Oh, let my ears be open to Thy Word,

My heart prepared to do what shall be heard.

Expectant thought will presently behold

The task Thou dost with loving hands unfold.

I do not need to hasten or delay;

I need but hear Thy voice and then obey.

Thank you for allowing me to join each one of you in fulfilling God’s purpose here at the Plainfield Christian Science Church, Independent.

The question was asked in the Plainfield Church’s Bible Study held on September 11, 2021, “What do we know about Christianity in Ephesus?” So I did some research and found some interesting things.

In his letter to the people of Ephesus, John commended their good works saying (Rev. 2), "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars.” Then he rebukes them for slipping with, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent.” But then he commends them saying, “But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”

I did some online research to determine what the practices of Nicolaitans were which the Ephesian Christian church hated so much.

I found an entry there by Robert B. Thompson that said the root of the word “Nicolaitans” comes from the Greek “Nikos,” to conquer or overcome, and “laos,” meaning people (which the word “laity” comes from). The two words together mean “the destruction of the people” and refers to the earliest form of what we call a priestly order or clergy, which later on in church history divided people and allowed for leadership other than those led by the spirit of the risen Lord. A good translation of Nicolaitan would be “Those who prevail over the people.”

This clerical system later developed into the papal hierarchy of priest and clergy lording over the flock. In about 1545 The Council of Trent stated, “If anyone shall say that there is not in the Catholic Church a hierarchy established by the divine ordination, consisting of bishops, presbyters, and ministers, let him be anathema.” (Anathema means repugnant or offensive). The Protestants followed suit and had their own corruption of leadership.

However, it’s really not a question of whether or not there should be a ministry, but rather the problem is the separation resulting from a hierarchy that has a prideful lust of control, manipulation, domination, intimidation over the people, and a rebellion of the rightful authority of God.

I’m so grateful to find that priestly domination does not exist in the Plainfield Christian Science Church, Independent. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be holding these Bible Studies where, in oneness and unity, everyone is seeking and searching for holy Truth together.

Peter said, “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” (I Peter 5: 2, 3)  

I'm thankful for the Roundtable discussion from Sunday, February 21, 2021, entitled, "Control Thought," which I was able to listen to last week.

There was a discussion of Mrs. Eddy's frequent use of the word “must” throughout her book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. The question was asked what the word “must” means, and the response that came to me was, no excuses.

To me this is a realization that there is no acceptable excuse for me not to obey the instructions in the Bible or those given by Mrs. Eddy in Science and Health, and that even an excuse that I may offer couldn't keep me from obeying eventually in my continued practice of Christian Science.

Through my years of being a part of this church I've learned to get rid of the idea of having a daily to-do list. From now on, I can have a “must” list which includes some instruction from the Bible and Science and Health to commit to working with. For example, on page 266 of Science and Health it says, "Mortals must follow Jesus' sayings and his demonstrations, which dominate the flesh."

I'm confident that committing to making these instructions my own, and obeying them as best I can, will bring about much needed and desired progress that will bless me and others in my experience.

Bicknell Young, on page 110 of his 1936 Primary Class, says, “Christian Science does not have to be advertised; it needs to be demonstrated.”

I found that to be very impressive when I first read it around seven years ago, although I can't really say I knew the full extent of what demonstration meant. I had come from a background of print design and marketing, and had seen how advertising would have us pursue many things that have no true value. Over time I have had the opportunity to witness how the pure Christian Science demonstrated here in Plainfield goes out to bless every receptive heart around the world. No marketing plan or computer program could ever take the place of the power of the Christ message going out to meet the need. Because of its divine origin, Christian Science is valuable beyond calculating, which means to me that we don't need to persuade anyone, but rather we need only show the normal and natural way of this Science and how it brings healing and comfort to all who practice it.

This past weekend, we had Nathan from California and Jeremy from Brooklyn visit, and each expressed such gratitude for all that goes on here. Nathan told me that he is not even sure how he found our YouTube channel, only that it showed up right when he needed it. Of course, that is no surprise, since Mary Baker Eddy has assured us on page 494 of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures that “Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need.”

I have such gratitude for how God is working through me and each member of this church to bless the world. What a joy it is to be a part of this God-directed mission! I thank God for Christian Science and for this Church!

How wonderful it is to learn that each one of us is responsible for our own experience — and how wonderful to learn that with God all things are possible!

Before I came to Plainfield Church, I used to believe that there were things in my life that were totally outside of my control — things like the weather, or how the economy could affect my business, or how other people thought of me or treated me. As a result, I was quick to complain when things went wrong, things that I thought I could do nothing about.

However, it was a teacher of Christian Science in this church who taught me that there is nothing in our lives outside of God's control. She taught me the importance of listening to God and obeying Him, and the fact that, when we do what He wants, He takes care of us. Now this doesn’t mean that we don’t have difficult experiences, but it does mean that when we experience tough situations, God gives us what we need to meet them, and to be better for them.

I’ve seen this to be true, not only in my own life, but in the lives of every member of this church. I have seen the weather change so that things that needed to be done could be done. I have seen careers improve. I have seen relationships fixed. I have seen health improve. I’m grateful to have learned this. It's given me a peace that I have never had. Now, whenever something does go wrong in my life, it’s a wake-up call that I need to get my thought closer to God, and do a better job of obeying Him.

I have learned to be grateful for those experiences that push me closer to God. I’m so grateful to Mary Baker Eddy for giving us the Science of Christianity, that explains what Jesus taught and did. I am grateful to this teacher of Christian Science in our church for this lesson — for helping me to see that it’s up to us to decide whether we are going to obey God or not, and that this determines how well things go in our lives. We really do reap what we sow.

There are many provisions for growth, listening, learning and support just on the Plainfield Church website alone. These truths go into consciousness, often over time, and are not always immediately discernible; but changes do take place that we’re not always aware of.

Recently I realized I have been freed from a memory that had been haunting me for many years after the event. My young son hurt himself on his bike and we took him to the emergency room to get stitches, but I could not get rid of the upsetting image. This happened quite a few years ago, before I found the Plainfield Church. Since being at this church I have been slowly filling my thought with hymns, readings, citations from the Bible and Science and Health, learning how to stay focused on images that are healing and strengthening and getting practitioner help to release other memories by using instructions such as to give the past to God.

Working with a Plainfield practitioner, and seeing examples of what Science is capable of doing, has been helping me build my own faith. This then has helped me trust the promises in the Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy. Now I can look back and see all the good that took place.

One prayer I love to turn to from our website is an excerpt from “Day” in the Blue Book, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 159: “Just for today I will know that God is good, and that God is Love, and that He knoweth them that trust Him. ... Then with a sweet sense of God’s nearness, I will know that yesterday has gone, and left no bitterness, and that today is big with blessings, that tomorrow belongs to God; and to realize this today eliminates all worry and pain and trouble, and brings us peace and happiness.”

Mary Baker Eddy writes in Miscellaneous Writings, on page 181, “Is man’s spiritual sonship a personal gift to man, or is it the reality of his being, in divine Science? Man’s knowledge of this grand verity gives him power to demonstrate his divine Principle, which in turn is requisite in order to understand his sonship, or unity with God, good.”

What a wonderful birthright, the birthright of every person! I find this as an imperative truth which will change so much when it’s finally understood by mankind everywhere. To me this knowing is what enables us to challenge any discord or suggestion of imperfection that may tempt us.

For example, for suggestions of lack we could say, our Father is rich, how can we be poor. As Hymn 224 says, “While Christ is rich, can I be poor?”

For suggestions of sickness we can question and not just take it, as I used to. Instead, we should ask, “Where is this from? Who is saying that? Did God send this? No!” God’s own child cannot be sick.

For suggestions of fear, if God is Love and I’m Love’s own child, and it is Love that casteth out fear, so where is it?

For relationship problems, I can say and know that since God fills all space and there is only Love among us all, where is the hatred or animosity? And again as our Hymn 266 says “None who are truly born of God can live in enmity.” All we need to live harmoniously is what Christ Jesus demonstrated, and through Mrs. Eddy, has been explained as to how we can live it.

I am so grateful for the spirit of salvation, of true freedom that Mrs. Eddy has given us through all her writings, and that so many who also followed her have given us in their writings. These truths help banish all the false beliefs about ourselves, and about those also whom we think of. Father-Mother God, grant us peace, grant us the knowledge of this wonderful truth that helps us feel Your Love.

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Letters of Gratitude

Painting by Dale Adler

Thank you for another excellent edition of Love is the Liberator. I really appreciate all that the members do in producing this and so much else. I am so grateful to have found Plainfield, and I will keep on keeping on.

Thank you, thank you for accepting me as a member!! I am well-aware that “the place I stand is holy ground.” Ex. 3:5

I greatly appreciate the considerable contribution of service that you all make to “our” church.

With kind regards and love to you all.

The calendar message, “Let us be thankful for health and competence, and, above all, for a quiet conscience,” by Izaak Walton. All are reminders to me that I must keep my Christ-consciousness and not let anything ruffle my thoughts. Very grateful!!

I would be delighted to assist in the work in Plainfield Church! Thank you so much also, for all the work you have done in publishing the early workers! It is so wonderful to preserve our heritage in these precious writings! I had only read one of Bicknell Youngs poems, before I came to Plainfield – what a JOY to have all of these precious manuscripts being preserved and celebrated! This is a great work!

Thank you so much for your website! That is so helpful.

I needed some information today and took a look at the information you have posted. What a blessing! Thanks for being there for me.

Thank you for the Love is the Liberator magazine, “Be Not Afraid.” The magazine is just one full healing message of love for everyone who may have the opportunity to read it, either through their subscription or on the website where it is freely given. Reading through the magazine has brought me a sense of calmness and peace. We are given so much to strengthen our thoughts to be obedient to the divine instruction of Christ Jesus to “be not afraid, only believe.” Finally, the magazine ends with a wonderful article and a short verse, both of which are attributed to Mrs. Eddy – how fitting!

Much appreciation to the team at Plainfield who worked together to give us this gift. Thank you.

The recent Forum Highlights was so helpful, and a lesson needed on waiting for God before plunging ahead with any decision.

Recently we received a monetary blessing and the Holy Spirit whispered to share the blessing with you. “What blesses one, blesses all.” Mary Baker Eddy

Thank you again for blessing all with the Light and love you so fully share.

Know definitely and forcefully, each day that God, good, is everywhere. — Ian George Watt

The above calendar statement from Monday, August 16, 2021, has been very helpful to me. Any false picture of mortal mind can be removed by knowing positively and impetuously that God is everywhere.

Thank you all so much for the wonderful testimonies and readings every Wednesday night. It is so very precious to be with you all! Thank you.

I am very grateful for the availability of the archived Bible Studies. I am listening to the timeless studies relating to the Ten Commandments; making notes from comments and instructions to keep as reminders, and to the best of my ability, I am obeying and practicing these laws in my daily living.

I am so grateful to have been led to the Plainfield Church.

In appreciation of all you are doing for the church and the world enclosed is my tithing.

Thank you so much for the fantastic Roundtable discussion — “Instant in Truth” with God directing our thought, to serve Him, to feed His sheep, to love Him.

Thank you all so much!

With a heart full of love and gratitude for all that is shared through this independent church and its website, I enclose my monthly contribution. The appearing of the July Love is the Liberator magazine, with the theme: “Be Not Afraid” on the church website was met with much joy and immediate study! What a treasure; it is an issue I will share with others in print and online, as there is so much in it to comfort, answer questions, and meet the need.

Thank you all for your dedicated work, inspiration, and love for God, Christ Jesus, and our forever Leader, Mary Baker Eddy.

Many thanks for the Wednesday, July 21, 2021, readings with the theme: “Love’s Provision Meets All Needs.” Wonderful proof and comforting guidance to be had there! The testimonies which followed bore witness to the practical life applications of abiding by these principles.

Thank you for this mid-week oasis, to acknowledge, declare, and claim our Oneness with God, divine Love!

After listening to the Wednesday night readings (July 28, 2021) on the theme, “Overcoming Through Gratitude for Our Heritage,” I ran across this poem in a 1917 Journal article, “Be Ye Thankful.” The poet was George Herbert, a 17th century clergyman and poet.

In the words of a poet: —

Thou who hast given so much to me,

Give one thing more, — a grateful heart,

Not thankful when it pleaseth me

As if thy blessings had spare days,

But such a heart whose very pulse shall be

Thy praise.

Thank you for the readings reminding us of all God has done and continues to do for us. And our part, in giving a grateful heart.

The July Love is the Liberator is wonderful! Examples of fear are shown in the articles and the healing Truth, “Be Not Afraid,” expressed. Every situation, not only one kind of problem is healed. Each section is uplifting and the pictures beautiful. Thank you for this issue.

Today’s calendar message is “Truth comes when it is needed, and not because of a personal demand.” — Mary Baker Eddy

A wonderful reminder that we are required to trust God’s power, presence, guidance, and His outcomes. Turning everything over to God, knowing that He will always bring the right outcome, listening for His voice and being grateful does result in victory over error!!

One could profitably spend quite a bit of time listening to and praying with Sunday’s Roundtable on Love. As I listened most recently, it came to me that Plainfield is a higher sense of Truth and Love. The service was beautiful, the singing of Mrs. Eddy’s hymn, “Love,” bringing tears. Thank you, thank you all!

Forgot to mention I have found more than the usual opportunity and capacity to express divine Love in the two days since.

I want to send a note of heartfelt appreciation for your church, the Christian Science (bootcamp) website, the Roundtables, and the church services. It is with gratitude I write this. Many times, I was in the depths of hell and God always guided me to the exact thing I needed on your website. One night, in particular, it was extremely challenging for me, and I listened to Mr. Singleterry read the account of Death Overcome. It broke the mesmerism. What I learned from that account was, as Christian Scientists, it takes spiritual elbow grease, grit, and tenacity along with steadfast Love to demonstrate this Science.

What a precious gift of Truth Mrs. Eddy has given to humanity. Your church is the center of the universe.

I am grateful for the Plainfield Christian Science Church. I believe that this church is the church Mrs. Eddy had in mind for the true Christian Science Cause.

I love hearing the many voices of love coming together for every service.

Last night I joined my first Unity Watch. The feeling of fellowship and unity was lovely, and afterwards, a mental vision came to me of golden threads emanating from the Plainfield Church and encircling the world, then the universe. These golden threads represent to me that Christian Science is the truth that heals. The vision stayed with me many hours; I felt God’s deep love embracing the world. I thought of the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, and how it shows us how to love, how to demonstrate this precious Science.

I am humbled to be a part of these watches; words could never express the gratitude I feel.

Summer is a good time to delve into the Bible Study archive. Yesterday morning I randomly chose the February 29, 2020, Bible Study titled “Titus and the Christian way of life.” What a treasure! I have listened to it over and over. There is so much there. Thank you!

Thank you so very much for your beautiful and loving Christian Science work. I am so grateful to have found Plainfield Church, whose beautiful members are living Christian Science as Mrs. Eddy intended.

I was so afraid when I first came to Plainfield. Benjamin was so loving and kind to me and helped me so much to direct me to you. Your words, your loving kindness and your testimonies have healed all that fear and the foolishness of so-called “malpractice.” As Mrs. Eddy wrote, “clad in the panoply of Love human hatred cannot reach you.” And all that is left of me is my total love of God, love of Mrs. Eddy, of the Saints, the early workers, and Love of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

The recordings you have all shared reach the heart in a way that is so pure and true.  I thought I was lost when our practitioner passed. To have found Plainfield shows me just how much our Father loves us and cares for us; even more than we can cognize. He provides for all our needs and more — He has blessed me so much to have directed me to you all at Plainfield!

With love and gratitude beyond measure.

My human voice has been off air since I’ve taken to studying Christian Science and the Bible. The more I study, the more the mortal voice has been silenced — oh what little it knows — what can be explained when it is the Spirit that is real. Since purchasing the hymnal, I’ve settled on my favorite now (#136) and though I can’t sing, I sing anyway many times a day. It brings such a comfort and joy along with Psalms 23 and 91 and the Lord’s Prayer. My dogs, cats, birds, garden and yes, even husband enjoy listening to me sing off key but jubilantly!

I have been enjoying and absorbing the Roundtable discussions as well as the weekly Lessons. What a joy they are and such a revelation and comfort for daily application.

My gratitude and love always,

Thank you everyone so very much for the Roundtable discussions. I’ve been wondering why my demonstration isn’t manifesting and I learned I have to live Christian Science. I do love it and I’m grateful for Mrs. Eddy bringing Truth to mankind, and I accept this loving Truth.

Again, I thank all of your input to fill us with Truth of the One Mind with divine Love. God is our life.

I am so grateful to listen to you all on YouTube.

Enclosed is my monthly contribution to support the vital work and outreach of this Independent church. This church faithfully acknowledges the place of the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, who was prophesied in the Bible, and who looking to God and following the example of Jesus Christ, has presented to the world the way of salvation, with all glory to God.

With grateful thanks for the stand of the remnant.

The January 10, 2021 Roundtable, “Walk Humbly with Thy God” was awesome. It is a Christian Science treatment in itself, and encouraged me to keep my focus simple. The week’s Lesson supported this study with the words, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” So simple, so easy. Simply, Love can and will heal anything.

Though the appearance of turbulence seems all around, I know that it is God’s unfolding, and I need not worry / direct anything, person, action but to pay attention.

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Testimonies of Healing

Painting by Dale Adler

from I. H. in Australia

A few years ago my grandmother was taken into intensive care. The hospital informed us that she would soon pass. When my husband and I knew of this we immediately called the practitioner for prayerful support. He gave us the following passage to work with from Science and Health, page 412, where Mrs. Eddy writes, “The power of Christian Science and divine Love is omnipotent. It is indeed adequate to unclasp the hold and to destroy disease, sin and death.”

In the ICU I held my grandmother's hand. We were told she couldn’t hear us, yet I leaned over and sang her favorite hymn quietly in her ear. The most sublime look of joy and peace came over her, and she started to sing along. The nurses couldn’t believe it. She was so radiant and beautiful. She looked like a lovely young woman holding my hand and singing her hymn to her Father in heaven. She was at one. When we finished the hymn, she slept.

Over the next three days and nights we kept the prayer up, with the practitioner working tirelessly supporting our understanding of Mrs. Eddy’s many healing instructions. God’s love was unstoppable, surrounding us in His tender care and mighty arm. Soon messages came from the hospital that she was miraculously improving, the internal bleeding stopped. One by one, the life-support mechanisms were no longer required, and her body was again in perfect working order. She was released from the hospital less than a week later. She was so strong after this healing, able to get back to her beloved gardening, running around and enjoying her life. Later on she joyfully announced that her shoulder joint, that had been so painful for decades, was also healed. This was a life saved, and a shoulder joint healed, directly through the action of Christian Science.

I am very grateful to that wonderful practitioner. I am very grateful to Mrs. Eddy for her inspired discovery of divine Science, Christian Science, and its ever present ability to heal every disease. I am very grateful for this proof of God's omnipotent might, His love, His care. Not one of us is ever outside of the radiance of His love. Luke 10:9 “And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.”

from K. O. in California

In California back in the 90s there were a lot of drive-by-shootings. One night my child was shot while she was at a party. I got the call late at night and drove over to the party while my mom called the practitioner.  

When I arrived at the party my daughter was lying in the ambulance. The bullet had entered her head and came out the other side. She was being taken to the helicopter to be life-flighted to Children’s Hospital. I went home, got my mom and we drove to the hospital.

The practitioner told my mom to shut down all communication going out of my daughter’s hospital room. Under no circumstances was the hospital to give out any information of my daughter’s condition to any caller. There were a lot of callers; my daughter was a popular student at school. I can’t remember any specifics about how my mom and I were praying.

I had been introduced to Christian Science 13 years earlier, but was still using drugs and alcohol to cope with life. I tried to “practice” Christian Science under these conditions, but usually ended up throwing the Science and Health across the room because I didn’t understand it. However, I always walked over and picked the book back up.

I’m sure while driving to the hospital my mom and I repeated scientific truths the practitioner told her. I’m sure I repeated the Scientific Statement of Being over and over, still not completely understanding the meaning but knowing there was a truth in there. I knew not to let the mortal picture dictate the truth to me. I also knew my daughter would be healed. I had zero doubts about it. I knew Christian Science worked, something always told me this was the truth, even though I didn’t understand it.

The surgeon spoke to me afterwards and had a look of shock on his face. The shock wasn’t because of the trauma my daughter appeared to go through, his shock was because of my daughter’s healing. He was left speechless. He hadn’t seen anything like it before.

My daughter was completely healed. We walked out of the hospital six days later. The nurses tried to shove some seizure medicine in my hand telling me my daughter would need it for the rest of her life. I shoved it back at the nurse and said, “No, she is not going to need it.” But I thanked them for everything, and we left.

I was very young in my studies of Christian Science when this healing happened. The practitioner who helped us understood Christian Science very well, and my mom was a dedicated student. I feel their alertness to the call of duty laid the foundation for a complete healing to take place.

God was patient with me. He knew I was a self-centered mom and revealed that to me during our hospital stay. Thirty days later I got help for my drug and alcohol problem. I continued to study Science and Health, and even started liking the Bible. Two years ago I found Plainfield Independent Church and am so in love with the Roundtables, Bible Study, Church Services, Bookstore, Testimonies, Website, and Watches. Thank you for helping me understand Jesus’ Christianity and Mary Baker Eddy’s writings.

Sweden

Quite often we visit a countryside café on the weekend. Among their farm animals, we have befriended a black Labrador. He is rich in years but playful and loves chasing sticks, having his strength challenged.

This year he has been passive at our feet, resigned, with dull eyes. The stick was thrown without any response from him. He also did not check what was going on in his surroundings anymore. Even though he liked to be chatted to, it did not cheer him up.

Then I decided to talk to him like Christian Science informs us to do, feeding him truths. Immediately the dog got up, went sniffing and exploring his surroundings, moving rapidly about. When we were leaving, he came to us, his eyes had their full life, depth, and brilliance.

It was a great experience.

from D. A. in Virginia

One summer vacation from college I was working at a fancy resort in the Pocono mountains as a waitress. I was wearing contact lenses at the time, and during one lunch service, something got in my eye, so I removed the lens and placed it in a small dish on one of the shelves in my station. Later, I reached for the dish with the lens, and it was gone. The bus boys must have taken it to the kitchen. The kitchen was huge with 5-6 large trash bins. I stood there in shock for a moment, and then walked sadly and slowly back to my dorm. Since all my money was needed for school expenses, I was concerned about the cost of replacing the lens.

With some time to think, I prayed and asked God to direct me. I immediately was calmer and then felt impelled to return to the kitchen to find my lens. As I walked into the kitchen and saw all the trash cans filled to the brim, my throat clenched, but I was determined to be obedient even if it meant going through all the trash. As I stepped up to the first can, something caught my eye on top of another bin, and to my amazement and joy — it was my contact lens! How wonderful that God had answered my prayer! I was so grateful to God and glad that I had been obedient, even though it seemed an impossible and even ridiculous task. I sincerely thank Christian Science and Mrs. Eddy for showing us that we are never victims of our circumstances.

from N. B. in Texas

About two years ago I experienced a wonderful healing of my back being out of place. Usually when this happens, it would work itself out in about a week. This time it was different. The pain got worse and worse, so I visited a chiropractor in desperation. He x-rayed my back and told me he didn’t know if he could help me or not, as he had never seen a spine this far out of alignment that didn’t require surgery.

At this point I phoned a Plainfield practitioner, who agreed to pray for me. She told me to read pages 390-393 in Science and Health, along with the Scientific Statement of Being on page 468. I was obedient, and in just a couple of days I was completely healed. Words can’t describe how incredibly grateful I was for the practitioner’s prayerful treatments, which resulted in a very quick healing.

I wasn’t satisfied to leave it at that. I wanted to know what had let my state of thought get so low that I found myself in this dire situation. I had a heart-to-heart talk with God and realized I had let my inspiration, consecration, run low, like the five foolish virgins in Jesus’ parable. I had become lax in my Bible studies and prayerful work. I had been skating along on past success. I told practitioner I was going to listen to all of the recordings of the Plainfield Church website to build up my store of inspiration and spiritual strength, my oil. She laughed. At that time, I had no idea how many recordings were on the website! After two years I am still working on listening to them.

I am so thankful for this website and those dear ones who maintain it and add to it weekly. Also, for the practitioner’s quick work for me. I am eternally grateful for Mrs. Eddy who persevered to bring us this Science of Christianity, the Comforter that Jesus prophesied.

from L. S. in Missouri

Not long after I had been led to Christian Science, and when I owned a horse boarding stable, a Christian Science practitioner friend wanted to buy a pony for her daughter. We found a pony mare but were told that she had regular bouts with colic, which is basically a stomachache, which is to be the #1 cause of death in horses.

When I first came into Christian Science, I immediately saw through the absurd claim that God made a mistake when He created equines. The pony was perfect for my friend’s daughter and she didn’t fear any potential problems with colic, so she purchased the pony. The pony was named “Patience Glory.” Not long after she arrived at the stable, she had all the symptoms of colic, so I notified the owner who began Christian Science treatment. I worked to overcome fear, as I had been raised in a different religion and had always turned to veterinary care for all of my horses.

Late that night, I went to the stable to check on the pony again. The thought came to me that it was the claim of worms. I returned to the house and looked up worms in the Concordance of Mrs. Eddy’s writings. This led me to Science and Health: “Patience is symbolized by the tireless worm, creeping over lofty summits, persevering in its intent. The serpent of God’s creating is neither subtle nor poisonous, but is a wise idea, charming in its adroitness, for Love’s ideas are subject to the Mind which forms them,--the power which changeth the serpent into a staff.” Previously, I had not realized the importance of the name that my friends had chosen for their pony, but that evening it was very clear to me, and it broke the mesmerism immediately. My fear vanished as I realized that the worms, another perfect creation of our Father-Mother God, could have no negative effect on the pony. The pony was healed through prayer alone. Patience Glory experienced no further claims of colic and they had many happy years together.

Any and all challenges we encounter can be overcome as we turn to our Father-Mother God, and to the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy, for solutions and healing.

from L. L. in North Carolina

The day after the July 4th holiday, what might have been a wistful day, instead, was one filled with appreciation for my deep spiritual connection to God. Ours was a quiet celebration with a bonfire, our pups, the birds, and a heart full of gratitude.

In the afternoon I spoke over the telephone with my sister in New York, who had also celebrated the 4th, with lots of friends and family. Previously I would have been comparing events with the usual pangs of envy over the lack of friends and fun in my life which predictably cemented my feelings of inadequacy and loneliness.

But this time it was different. As I listened to the details of her gathering, I felt genuine happiness. As she elaborated on the rich details of the food and good company, I was able to celebrate with her as though I had been there too. And with that, I experienced no sense of incompleteness or failure of my own. In addition, another important part of this demonstration was that I had no sense of judgment or criticism of their celebration — for example, that it wasn’t spiritual or God-directed. Instead, a generosity of Spirit permeated the call as though divine Love was guiding the entire exchange.

It all felt so clean and refreshing to take part in this conversation. Proof that I was definitely free of mortal mind’s trappings of the remote cause of an unhappy childhood.

Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians in church; they are my best workers.

Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked; I can use them.

Blessed are the touchy; with a bit of luck, they may stop going to church; they are my missionaries.

Blessed are those who are very religious but get on everyone’s nerves; thy are mine forever.

Blessed are the troublemakers; they shall be called my children.

Blessed are those who have no time to pray; they are easy prey for me.

Blessed are the gossipers; for they are my secret agents.

Blessed are those critical of church leadership; for they shall inherit a place with me in my fate.

Blessed are the complainers; I’m all ears for them.

Blessed are you when you read this and think it is about other people and not yourself; I’ve got you.

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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.

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.

Websites in Other Languages

Our missionary work is expanding. We have recently launched websites in the languages of Hungarian, Ukrainian, Russian, Marathi, Nepali, Pashto, Persian, Sindhi, and Tamil, which join with our existing Spanish, French, German, Dutch, Chinese, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu — that makes seventeen languages other than English!

Much gratitude to all of our translators for their individual demonstrations which are working to bless every corner of the world!

We recently received the following email from someone new in Pakistan:

Accept my greetings and salute for the lovely way to produce your unchallenged true teachings about God, as our Mind, we as His ideal creation and making it clear what the Christian Science Church is giving to the spiritual-thirsty like me. The great work you and your Church is dealing regarding foreign languages is amazing and fruitful. I am having great blessings since I have started learning the Word of God through your website and YouTube channels. Especially Pashto, Sindhi, Urdu, Punjabi, Tamil and Marathi languages are doing great things spiritually in my life when I read and listen to the YouTube lessons.

I greatly appreciate it and ask my Lord for the unstoppable blessings for the whole church worldwide. May you always please my heart and soul by producing these lessons and other great material in all the languages of the world especially for my Pakistani and Indian people. Amen.

I thank you and the whole church again for all of this.

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!

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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”

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