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.”

“Christ and Christmas,” Part 2

Christmas was traditionally celebrated religiously, in a sacred fashion. But in the late 1870s and early 1880s it was beginning to become commercially focused; and by the year 1891, retailers were remaining open late on Christmas Eve. To Mary Baker Eddy, the importance of Christmas was in its spiritual significance. In 1893 she wrote her poem “Christ and Christmas” as an illustrated gift book to bring focus back to its true meaning.

Christian Science Journal, January 1894

The crowning event of the year 1893, and one of the most marvelous achievements of Christian Science, is the illustrated poem by Mary Baker Eddy just published, “Christ and Christmas.” This book comes indeed as a Christmas gift, — a magnificent Mind-gem from the bounteous hand of infinite Love. If ever God spake to man through symbol and metaphor, or through the inspiration of Psalm or song, He so spoke through Mary Baker Eddy when she conceived and gave birth to that wondrous work! It cannot be described. To make the attempt were like the futile effort to cut a diamond with a bludgeon. It is truly a production

“Whose noble praise,

Deserves a quill plucked from an angel's wing.”

One must read it, study it, see it in the light of Holy Writ as interpreted in our textbook, to grasp aught of its mighty meaning. To the casual reader it might seem but a beautiful poem and the illustrations exquisite bits of art, for these they surely are; but to the Christian Scientist whose eyes have been partly opened to Jesus' mission as it is being exemplified in Christian Science today, it must be a new revelation of the God-anointed mission of our Leader. It is truly a “star of Bethlehem,” a glorious ray out from the Orb of Truth. It is the Mosaic Decalogue, the Sermon on the Mount, and Science and Health retouched, reilluminated, reemphasized.

In reference to the artistic character of the illustrations, since writing the article published in this issue, Mrs. Eddy has received words of high praise of the entire work from one of Boston's best known litterateurs and critics.

Christian Science Journal, January 1894

“Christ and Christmas” voices God through song and object lesson. Already letters extolling it, are pouring in from noble women and men, artists and poets.

Well knowing this book would produce a pronounced mental chemicalization, I sought the judgment of sound critics familiar with the works of masters in France and Italy. From these authentic sources came unexpected replies, saying, “The illustrations of your poem are truly a work of art, and the artist seems quite familiar with delineations from the old masters.”

I wrote this article December eleventh; to-day, December twelfth, a letter arrived from my student, the daughter of General Dodge: “Years ago when in Italy, I studied art, — the old masters and their great works. Then I spent two years in Paris, devoting every moment to the study of music and art. Now the first thing that struck me in your illustrations was the conscientious application to detail, which is the foundation stone of true art. I went on to study each illustration thoroughly, and it was to my amazement and joy to find an almost identical resemblance to the old masters! In other words, the art is perfect.” Judge Hanna's editorial in this Journal [see above] gives no uncertain echo of the spirit and mission of “Christ and Christmas.”

One incident serves to elucidate the nature of art. I insisted on placing the serpent behind the woman in the picture, “Seeking and Finding.” My artist at the easel objected, as he often did, to Soul's expression through the brush, but finally yielded. A few days afterward through chance directed, the following in Rotherham's translation of the scriptures was handed to me — I had never before seen it: “And the serpent cast out of his mouth, behind the woman, water as a river, that he might cause her to be river-borne.” Neither material finesse, standpoint, nor perspective, guides the infinite Mind and spiritual vision that should, does, guide His children.

Jesus delineates Christ's appearing in the flesh, and healing power, not clad in soft raiment or gorgeous apparel. The Master's sketch presents a wilderness, homelessness, loneliness. After a time, and after walking over the wave, this Divine idea gently entered synagogues, and finally sat down at the right hand of the Father.

Above the fogs of sense and storms of passion, Christian Science and art will stand triumphant; ignorance, envy and hatred, earth's harmless thunder, hide not its heaven-born wing. His angels, with overtures, hold charge over them and reveal their Principle and idea.

It is fitting to memorize the nativity of our Master. Whoever brings the most light to the ages must bear their heaviest burdens, and for this, homage is indeed due, but is bankrupt. I never looked upon my ideal of the face of Jesus, but the one in my work approximates it. Pictures are parts of one's ideal, but this ideal is not one's personality, — note this.

The true art of Christian Science, is to be a Christian Scientist; and to be more than a Raphael, is required to gain this art.

Excerpts from his book, from Carpenter Collection

The writer first appeared to Mrs. Eddy as a lone, homeless, wanderer, with a native, self-taught ability for picture making. Although not successful from the worldly standard, it had the great advantage of freedom for mental unfoldment.

I had been seeking from my youth, the fulfilment of soulful ideals. All this prepared me to welcome the priceless Christian Science message when it first came to me. Through the study of the textbook, Science and Health, I was enabled very soon to find the spiritual explanation of those early spiritual longings, and the healing power of God.

In late 1892, wisdom's clear call came to leave my art practice in rural areas, and, without having a definite reason, go to Concord, New Hampshire. Very soon, my art capacity opened the way to a welcome at the home of Mary Baker Eddy, the one to whom I deeply felt I owed unlimited devotion. Later it led to the valuable, sacred experience of making the illustrations of Mrs. Eddy's poem, “Christ and Christmas,” in 1893.

The humble, childlike state of thought engendered by my practice of art in the country by-ways, and also the religious unfoldment untrammeled by the academic, material thought of the schools, was doubtless helpful to cause me to appear acceptable to Mrs. Eddy's thought, and to prepare me for doing the work with her that followed.

Christian Science reveals that often the only word that can reach directly the ear of the mortal thought, to awaken it from its sleep, is the active, unexpected, sleep-rebuking word. Through Christian Science rebukes, we are enabled to see that God, by light of His nature of Truth and Love, in due time compels the error of mortals to be self-seen, which results in its destruction.

[At one time, after being rebuked for not being able to produce a picture that captured Mrs. Eddy’s vision of a particular verse, Mr. Gilman went through a dark time of doubt and discouragement, or what he called “chemicalization.” After struggling for a time, he began to understand that personal sense was being annihilated!]

I saw that personal sense was being annihilated during my seemingly painful mental experience, by the beneficent operation of the divine law of infinite Love. Healing was reaching me in this way because of my increasing desire to accept Love's ways in my thought, and life, and work.

The following day Mr. Frye brought me a letter from Mrs. Eddy in which she stated that "the Spirit bids me write to you and waken you," calling me to order, sharply. It did not have the effect of agitating me, perhaps because I had already begun to rise out of the dark valley toward the uplands that her letter would spur me to reach.

That evening, light dawned upon me. It showed me that my love for God was what I ought to labor for. I began to see that this was the fruit of Mrs. Eddy's noble efforts to waken me to spiritual life, as shown in her letter.

Since then I have seen that this explains why I have become master of evil only when I have found the joyful willingness to sacrifice self in whatever form it appears, for the Christ's sake.

Immediately after, I was walking, at about sunset. In this walk I was still in my freshly attained chastened sense, and therefore more ready to hear and see spiritually. The sky was mostly cloudy, but a break in the clouds occurred as I walked, and the rays of light streamed through, causing a cupola on top of a building, together with some beautiful trees, to appear silhouetted against the light western sky in a very picturesque, artistic way. Immediately the spirit of Truth said to me, “There, that is what is wanted in the picture with the angels to represent ‘the heavenly worth of that high morn.’”

And it proved to be so. After I had incorporated it into the illustration, and showed it to Mrs. Eddy, she at once expressed great joy because of the spiritual beauty of the whole picture and asked for no change to be made in it.

The finished illustration was the product of the ideal God gave me in nature to supply my need for a suitable illustration for the poem. (The distant dome in this picture which I added for beauty's sake, and thinking of the State House dome in Boston, appears at a later date to have been prophetic of the present Mother Church dome erected more than ten years later, in 1906.)

I have sometimes been led, with others, to think that, in doing the work of these illustrations for Mrs. Eddy, I was greatly privileged above the common lot of mankind because of the personal love-laden acquaintance with the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science this work afforded me, and for which I am endlessly grateful. But I am very grateful as the deeper spiritual views of Truth are becoming clearer, that the Mind that was in Mrs. Eddy when I worked with her on these illustrations was, and is now, the same Mind “that was also in Christ Jesus.” This Mind has in store for everyone the fulfillment of this saying given in the Christian Science textbook, “Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals.” This means that heaven's privileges and favors are waiting at the doors of every individual ready to receive them.

The measure of our privilege and blessing and its continuance is limited only by one's willingness to accept the self-effacement that alone makes place for it, equally, for everyone. Christian Science Truth makes it manifest that the only reason that the blessings of divine Mind do not fill all consciousness at all times is because of its occupancy already by the false sense of self, thus leaving no room for the heavenly blessings we long for. But the Mind in Mrs. Eddy, as well as of Jesus, has made it clear, by their explicitly stated word of God that is called now Christian and Divine Science, just how everyone ready for it may prove that “Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals.” Is not this a blessed and glorious thought for each individual demonstrably to know?

Mary Baker Eddy, Her Spiritual Precepts

James F. Gilman, after he had had many experiences and rebukes while working with Mrs. Eddy in painting the pictures for Christ and Christmas, declared, “The value of a spiritual rebuke, I have learned, lies not in the literal reasonableness of it, or in the one from whom it seems to come, but rather in our acceptance of its claims upon our humble consideration. We shall not be subject to resentment or the claims of humiliation when we can see it the friend that it is. Then the larger sense of the Christ is found in the understanding of the omnipotence of Love.”

The fifth picture in “Christ and Christmas” shows two angels on Christmas Morn going toward the Holy City. On May 8, 1893, Mrs. Eddy wrote to James F. Gilman as follows in regard to this picture: “Please make these changes that came to me inspirationally this morning — the sixth verse I want changed. Have it a glorious sunrise and three angels in female forms in the air pointing to this dawn; but have no wings on them. Make no specialty of the ground; have it a sky view. Now carry out these designs with all the skill of an artist and my story is told in Christian Science, the new story of Christ, and the world will feel its renovating influence. Do not delay, nor trouble your thought to deviate from what God has given me to suggest, but follow it implicitly, remember this.”

Why did Mrs. Eddy call for three angels in this picture, and finally have but two? Why in I Samuel 10: 3, 4 did the man going up to Bethel who carried three loaves of bread, give Saul but two loaves? This point may be explained by using mathematics as an illustration.

It requires three steps for any mathematical proposition to be established. First it has to be discovered. Then it has to be embodied in a textbook in such a way that it may be studied, understood and practiced. Finally an average student must take the book, study the proposition and prove that he understands it so that he can demonstrate it. Until this third step is taken, there is no proof that the theory, whatever it may be, has been made practical.

The two loaves furnished Saul may illustrate Christian Science — the first representing the Master's demonstration of it in his wonderous works; the second symbolizing Mrs. Eddy's part in rediscovering the truth that the Master taught, and formulating it into a scientific system set forth in a textbook. The third loaf could not be given to Saul, because the demand for him was to take the first two, and through them to demonstrate the third for himself.

It came to Mrs. Eddy inspirationally that the demand in the fifth picture in Christ and Christmas was for angels. Yet only two could be depicted, because each student is required to demonstrate the third for himself. The first angel is symbolic of the Master's demonstration of the fatherhood of God, of divine wisdom and power. The second angel is symbolic of Mrs. Eddy's demonstration of the motherhood of God, of divine Love and intuition, which always leads the way. The third angel would be demonstrated only when a student, taking the first two, was thereby enabled to bring forth the third, namely, the proof that the teachings and demonstration of the Master and Mrs. Eddy have been left to the world in such a practical way, that an average follower, taking what was at hand in the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings, could assimilate and demonstrate this teaching for himself.

Christian Science Journal, February 1894

Notwithstanding the rapid sale of two editions of “Christ and Christmas,” and many orders on hand, I have thought it best to stop its publication. In this revolutionary religious period, the increasing inquiry of mankind as to Christianity and its unity, and above all, God's dear love, opening the eyes of the blind — is fast fitting all minds for the proper reception of Christian Science Healing. But I must stand on this absolute basis of Christian Science, namely, Cast not pearls before the unprepared thought.

Idolatry is an easily besetting sin of all peoples. The apostle saith: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” The illustrations were not intended for a golden calf, at which the sick may look and be healed. As Christian Scientists, we must beware of unseen snares, and adhere to the divine Principle and rules for demonstration. We must guard against the deification of finite personality. Every human thought should turn instinctively to the divine Mind as its sole center and circumference. Until this be done, man will never be found harmonious and immortal.

Whosoever looks to me personally for health or holiness mistakes. He, that by reason of human love or hatred, or from any other cause, clings to my material personality, greatly errs, stops his own progress, and loses the path to health, happiness, and heaven. The Scriptures and Christian Science reveal the Way, and their revelators will take their proper place in history, but will not be deified. The advanced Scientific students were ready for “Christ and Christmas”; but those were a minority of its readers, and even they can know its practicality only by healing the sick on its divine Principle. In the words of the apostle, “Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord.”

Friends, strangers, and Christian Scientists, I thank you each and all for your scholarly, artistic and scientific notices of my book. The little messenger has done its work, fulfilled its mission, retired with honor, and mayhap taught me more than it has others. This knowledge I have gleaned from its fruitage, namely, that contemplating finite personality impedes spiritual growth, even as holding in mind the consciousness of disease prevents the recovery of the sick. Christian Science can only be taught through its divine Principle which is invisible to corporeal sense. A material human likeness must be the antipode of man in the image and likeness of God. Hence it is not the model for a Metaphysician.

I earnestly advise all my students to remove from their observation or study the personal sense of anyone, and not to dwell in thought upon their own, or others' corporeality. According to Christian Science, material personality is an error in premise, and must result in erroneous conclusions. The face of Jesus has been so unnaturally delineated, it has turned many from the true contemplation of his character. He advances most in Divine Science who meditates most on God and spiritual things. Experience will prove this true.

Pondering on the finite personality of Jesus, the son of man, is not the channel through which is reached the Christ, or Son of God, the true idea of man's divine Principle. I warn students against falling into this spirit of anti-Christ. The consciousness of corporeality, and whatever is connected therewith, must be outgrown. They are the falsities which include all obstacles to health, holiness, and Heaven. Man's individual life is infinitely above a bodily existence; and remember, the human concept antagonizes the Divine. Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures on page 228, third and fourth paragraphs, elucidates this topic.

The poem and illustrations are not a textbook. Let them return to the Bible and Science and Health which contain all, and much more, than they have yet learned. We should prohibit ourselves the childish pleasure of studying Truth through the senses, for this is not the intent of my works. Even the teachings of Jesus are misused by substituting his personality for the Christ, the impersonal form of Truth, amplified in this age by the discovery of Christian Science. To Scientifically impersonalize a material sense of existence — rather than to cling to its personality — is the lesson of to-day. I ask my students to give their attention to this lesson and receive its blessing.

He who forsakes his sense of sin,

Will find the whole of Heaven within.

In December of 1897, the book did reappear, in its third edition. There were nine editions of the book in all.

Painting by Luanne Tucker

From Mrs. Eddy

Fast circling on, from zone to zone, —

      Bright, blest, afar, —

O’er the grim night of chaos shone

      One lone, brave star.

In tender mercy, Spirit sped

      A loyal ray

To rouse the living, wake the dead,

      And point the Way —

The Christ-idea, God anoints —

      Of Truth and Life;

The Way in Science He appoints,

      That stills all strife.

What the Beloved knew and taught,

      Science repeats,

Through understanding, dearly sought,

      With fierce heart-beats;

Thus Christ, eternal and divine,

      To celebrate

As Truth demands, — this living Vine

      Ye demonstrate.

For heaven’s Christus, earthly Eves,

      By Adam bid,

Make merriment on Christmas eves,

      O’er babe and crib.

Yet wherefore signalize the birth

      Of him ne’er born?

What can rehearse the glorious worth

      Of his high morn?

Christ was not crucified — that doom

      Was Jesus’ part;

For Sharon’s rose must bud and bloom

      In human heart.*

(* “God was manifest in the flesh.” — St. Paul)

Forever present, bounteous, free,

      Christ comes in gloom;

And aye, with grace towards you and me,

      For health makes room.

Thus olden faith’s pale star now blends

      In seven-hued white!

Life, without birth and without end,

      Emitting light!

The Way, the Truth, the Life — His word —

      Are here, and now

Christ’s silent healing, heaven heard,

      Crowns the pale brow.

For Christian Science brings to view

      The great I Am, —

Omniscient power, — gleaming through

      Mind, mother, man.

As in blest Palestina’s hour,

      So in our age,

’Tis the same hand unfolds His power,

      And writes the page.

To-day, as oft, away from sin

      Christ summons thee!

Truth pleads to-night: Just take Me in!

      No mass for Me!

No blight, no broken wing, no moan,

      Truth’s fane can dim;

Eternal swells Christ’s music-tone,

      In heaven’s hymn.

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Interesting Squibs

Whatever you are trying to avoid won’t go away until you confront it.

Some pursue happiness, others create it.

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.

Every child in America should be acquainted with his own country. He should read books that furnish him with ideas that will be useful to him in life and practice. As soon as he opens his lips, he should rehearse the history of his own country.

A person must recognize his need for God before he can request divine aid and give God due thanks.

If we were meant to talk more than listen, we would have two mouths and one ear.

Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.

Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear, and obstacles vanish into air.

To the timid and hesitating everything is impossible because it seems so.

Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen.

I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence, but it comes from within. It is there all the time.

He that is discontented in one place will seldom be happy in another.

Goodness is the only investment that never fails.

Help your brother’s boat across, and your own will reach the shore.

For the believer, there is no question; for the non-believer, there is no answer.

True happiness is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.

The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.

In the morning, prayer is the key that opens to us the treasures of God’s mercies and blessings; in the evening, it is the key that shuts us up under His protection and safeguard.

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In Support of Our Nation, Our World

Mary Baker Eddy made a rather bold statement to Martha Bogue, one of her early workers. She stated, “The truth that God is All-in-all and that there is no evil, held faithfully by Christian Scientists, will save the world and it is all that will save it.” (Miscellaneous Documents) Apparently, Mrs. Eddy was speaking about the not-so-distant future. She gave us a hint at what this future world-wide calamity might be when she quoted St. Paul’s epistle to the Galatians on page 106 of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures:

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

The hint, you ask? She italicized the word witchcraft. It is not italicized in the King James Bible, (Galatians 5:19-21). We as Christian Scientists are to handle the belief of witchcraft, of a belief in a power apart from God where evil is worshipped. Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines witchcraft as “the practice of witches; sorcery; enchantments; intercourse with the devil.” Sorcery is defined as “divination by the assistance or supposed assistance of evil spirits.” Enchantments are “the use of magic arts, spells or charms.” So, are we to be afraid of witchcraft and evil spells? No. As Christian Science teaches, God is the only power in the universe, and we all bow our knees unto Christ. The first commandment is to “have no other gods before Me.” We should have no faith or belief in any other supposed power.

And Mrs. Eddy has given us the means to handle this belief or mesmerism in her statement to Mrs. Bogue, “The truth that God is All-in-all and that there is no evil, held faithfully by Christian Scientists, will save the world and it is all that will save it.” We are to hold to the truth of an all-powerful God who fills all space, who leaves no room for evil of any sort. God is “of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity.” (Habakkuk 1:13) We must cast out the demon belief that witchcraft, hypnotism, evil spirits have any power or existence. One of Christ Jesus’ commands to us is to cast out demons, or demonic thinking. And how can we as Christian Scientists do this? Mrs. Eddy tells us “The way to extract error from mortal mind is to pour in truth through flood-tides of Love.” (S&H 201:17-18)

We must love our fellow man and hold to the truth that God’s image and likeness can never be attracted to evil of any sort. And we must pour in this truth through flood-tides of Love for all humanity. That is all that will save our world.

I found Plainfield through a YouTube video and ever since, my priorities have been changing and I have learned, and am learning, so much. The ability to get involved with a practitioner, with the website, with the Unity Watches and my independent watch, have all been an anchor for me.

Being anchored in Christ’s Christianity has led me to realize that in America — as in every nation — the Commander-in-Chief’s seat belongs to God, all the seats in Congress, the Senate and House, all belong to God. All the governors’ seats, in every state across America, belong to God. Every Mayor’s seat in every town across America, big or small, they all belong to God. Every City Council Member’s seat in every town across America, belongs to God. And every School Board Member in every town across the nation, is sitting in God’s seat. All those seats belong to God. And I have the responsibility as an American Christian, to make sure our elections maintain integrity and that I carry out my responsibility to do my own research to find candidates that understand, they are sitting in God’s seat!

If these are God’s seats, and God is Love, then each one of these seats was built to express Love.

As Herbert Eustace says, “America is man’s oneness with God.” So I work and pray to see the reality of that.

Painting by Luanne Tucker

Christian Science Journal, November 1891

For the wealth of pathless forests,

Whereon no axe may fall;

For the winds that haunt the branches;

The young bird’s timid call;

For the red leaves dropped like rubies

Upon the dark green sod;

For the waving of the forests,

I thank Thee, O my God!

For the sound of waters gushing

In bubbling beads of light;

For the fleets of snow-white lilies

Firm-anchored out of sight;

For the reeds among the eddies;

The crystal on the clod;

For the flowing of the rivers,

I thank Thee, O my God!

For the rosebud’s break of beauty

Along the toiler’s way;

For the violet’s eye that opens

To bless the new-born day;

For the bare twigs that in summer

Bloom like the prophet’s rod;

For the blossoming of flowers,

I thank Thee, O my God!

For the lifting up of mountains,

In brightness and in dread;

For the peaks where snow and sunshine

Alone have dared to tread;

For the dark of silent gorges,

Whence mighty cedars nod;

For the majesty of mountains,

I thank Thee, O my God!

For the splendor of the sunsets,

Vast mirrored on the sea;

For the gold-fringed clouds that curtain

Heaven’s inner mystery;

For the molten bars of twilight,

Where thought leans, glad, yet awed;

For the glory of the sunsets,

I thank Thee, O my God!

For the earth, and all its beauty;

The sky, and all its light;

For the dim and soothing shadows

That rest the dazzled sight;

For unfading fields and prairies,

Where sense in vain has trod;

For the world’s exhaustless beauty,

I thank Thee, O my God!

For the hidden scroll o’erwritten

With one dear Name adored;

For the Heavenly in the human;

The Spirit in the Word;

For the tokens of Thy presence

Within, above, abroad;

For Thine own great gift of Being,

I thank Thee, O my God!

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Watches to Work with Often

Watch Message from September 30, 2021

“A coroner’s inquest, a board of health, or class legislation is less than the Constitution of the United States, and infinitely less than God’s benign government, which is ‘no respecter of persons.’ Truth crushed to earth springs spontaneously upward, and whispers to the breeze man’s inalienable birthright — Liberty. ‘Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.’ God is everywhere. No crown nor sceptre nor rulers rampant can quench the vital heritage of freedom — man’s right to adopt a religion, to employ a physician, to live or to die according to the dictates of his own rational conscience and enlightened understanding.”

from Miscellany, by Mary Baker Eddy, 128:6–17

God’s law — the only law that governs the universe — supersedes any human governmental edict or mandate! The only law we are required to obey is the law of Life, Truth, and Love — the law that protects the innocent and punishes the guilty. Mankind’s birthright of liberty can never be taken away by any counterfeit, false law; and  no such law can be enacted! The Christ consciousness is present, guiding lawmakers to do right and to only enact laws that pattern the divine. Any attempt of malicious animal magnetism to willfully dominate God’s children — His faithful ones who courageously stand for their God-given rights and liberty — will bring down hellfire and brimstone upon its head and is self-destroyed.  This is the irrevocable law of God that cannot be reversed, but does bear fruit!!

“The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.”

from Isaiah 14:24

Watch Message from July 8, 2017

“Know every day, that the world isready for Christian Science.”

from Watches, Prayers, and Arguments,
given by Mary Baker Eddy, page 145

In preparation for tomorrow’s Sacrament Service let us pray with our whole hearts to break any resistance to Mrs. Eddy, to Science and Health and to Christian Science. Let us usher in the millennium by taking up the cross, healing the sick, casting out evils and preaching the truth to the receptive thought — as our Lesson states. Nothing can mesmerize us to believe this to be impossible.

“Our work is not to change God’s work, for that is finished and perfect. Neither is it to make error nothing, for it is that already; but to stand (apparently) in the midst of it, unmoved, knowing its nothingness.”

from Watches, Prayers, and Arguments,
given by Mary Baker Eddy, pages 187-188

Watch Message from May 4, 2017

“The upheaval and uncovering of so-called evils in our country [and all countries], bear witness to what the unfolding of divine Science is doing to bring these crimes to the surface. Then do we need to stand in awe of crime and graft? The unfolding of Truth and Love, that has brought them to the surface, will melt them away. Let us be faithful to our unfoldment of the nothingness of aggressive mental suggestion.”

from Collected Writings by Bicknell Young,
pages 169-170

Hatred and division in our nation, and in the world, is unnatural, godless, and will not stand! Animal magnetism, through mental suggestion and evil influence, cannot disrupt, mar, or reverse the brotherhood and sisterhood of all mankind — cannot cause anyone to see others as anything but the loved children of God, and to act that way. Unity and love for the brethren exist right now and nothing can oppose or reverse it. This is, and always has been, God’s law, and all the power of God supports it!

“Take the entire condition of world affairs back to God and uncover the arguments of reversal as the operation of malicious malpractice, and you find the solution of the whole affair. Do this if you would destroy every mirage of evil.”

from Christian Science, Its “Clear, Correct Teaching”
by Herbert Eustace, page 522

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From the Early Workers

Christian Science Sentinel, June 4, 1904

Every Christian Scientist has learned that mortal existence is a dream. We dream daily the disturbing conditions we seem to see of sickness, sin, losses, failures, and every ill to which flesh is heir. Vainly we seek good but find it not, because we look for it in the mortal, material things of this earth-dream. In reality we now possess in all fulness the things for which we seem vainly and vaguely to grope.

A story is told of a wealthy man, whom I will call Ah Haveit. The story, very much abridged, runs something like this: The man was rich in flocks, in herds, in money, in family ties, in respect, and honor; in all things that seem to make for comfort and happiness in this mortal life. One day a priest came, telling of a wonderful find of diamonds in a certain place. The rich man went to bed poor, for he had found discontent. He too must find diamonds. He sold his flocks and herds, and took his departure. He would not seek near home, he would go afar, and he spent all in his vain search, and was finally swallowed up by a tidal wave, a poor, outcast vagabond.

Not long after Ah Haveit left home, the man who lived on his place found in a little pool back of the house a shining piece of stone. It was a poor, shallow pool, hollowed out for the water to fill, and covered with pebbles on the bottom. No doubt it was muddy, — one had to wait sometimes for the spring to re-fill it after the camels had been watered. The man, attracted by the stone shining in the pool, picked it up and, pleased with its glitter, took it into the house and placed it on a shelf where he could often see it. It lay there some time, but finally the priest who had visited Ah Haveit and who had told him about the diamond mine, chanced to visit the place again. He was at once attracted to the shining stone. “Where was it found?” “Out in the little pool.” “Any more?” “Probably;” the owner had not noticed much, being given to other things. The priest, interested, began looking about and it was discovered that diamonds were there in plenty, for the shining stone was nothing else. The domain that Ah Haveit had left to search for diamonds in other lands was literally sown with the precious stones. It is said that this was the site of the Golconda mines.

To point a moral to this tale is hardly needful. We all overlook the things near us, and think that the desirable things are afar off. “The kingdom of God is within you.” Look within and find it. The pool may be shallow, nearly empty, but there may be found the precious gems of truth, the truth that makes free. “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” The glory, — the character of the Lord, as some quaintly translate it, — is upon thee; not shall be when you have become sufficiently good, but it is here, now and forever. Why this struggle for the very things we now have? It is not place, power, rank, or display that makes life worth living. It is Life itself, and this we ever have, and that “abundantly.”

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”

Christian Science Journal, September 1905

“My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” (John 7:16, 17)

In Science and Health, page 591, Mary Baker Eddy defines a miracle as a manifestation of divine law — and as being, therefore, both natural and scientific. It is certainly a remarkable fact, that, ever since the time of Jesus, this world has been engaged in the endeavor to explain his wonderful words, rather than to explain his wonderful works and learn the method by which they were accomplished.

As his works were done to prove the truth of his doctrine, that God is Love and the only power, it must follow that we can best learn the spiritual meaning of Truth and Love by studying the words and works of Jesus, and ascertaining his method of utilizing the truth in healing the sick. Mrs. Eddy was the first to take up and pursue to a successful conclusion this study.

Many of the works of Jesus have been called miracles, and done in contravention of natural law. Christian Science teaches that a miracle fulfils God's law, and those who are engaged in the work of healing in Christian Science know that their prayers are answered in the most natural way.

The Lord's Prayer expressed Jesus' idea of the way to make his Father's “doctrine” operative, but his purpose has not been understood, and, therefore, this prayer has not been prayed aright. We pray, “Thy will be done,” most often in a spirit of sorrowful resignation, instead of in a spirit of joyous, authoritative declaration of the understanding that His perfect will must be done and that nothing can prevent it! God's law is the only law, and God's will is always done, and the results are always good, always perfect.

Christ Jesus did not claim that he was personally doing anything wonderful in simply doing the will of our Father. He said others shall do these works, and even greater than these — a prophecy or declaration that anticipated the Christian Science works of today, and greater works yet to come.

The miracle where Jesus healed the nobleman's son, sick of fever, was an interesting case, for it was to demonstrate health for the son and comfort for the father. This nobleman came to Jesus of his own accord, and “besought him that he would come down, and heal his son; for he was at the point of death.” This was the first step in the fulfilling of the law of healing, — Ask, and you shall receive. The appealing, expectant attitude of this man is quite a contrast to the critical or indifferent mental attitude often met in the Christian Science practice of today, which the practitioners have first to overcome. Jesus questioned him to discern the purity of his thought and true desire, but the nobleman's reply, “Sir, come down ere my child die,” not only showed his fearful sense, but also his faith and confidence in Jesus and his method of work. This was a second helpful step toward the final demonstration.

Now came the sublime declaration of Life, a declaration of the immortality of man, for Jesus said, speaking as one having authority, “Go thy way; thy son liveth.” The nobleman had chosen the right way, and he was to know that his son lived, lived then and forever. He obediently went his way, proving that his thought had been changed from the contemplation of death to the assurance of Life. The Word had gone forth, an angel visitant of life to this boy, and his consciousness was now responsive to Life alone.

Doing the Christ works in the Christ way is the best way to glorify God and to prove our understanding of his doctrine, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”

Christian Science Sentinel, May 3,1919

The prophets who were called to thunder the law and the gospel to recalcitrant Israel had no easy task. They were under the spiritual necessity of warning the seed of Abraham against the fruits of disobedience to the one God. Similitudes, parables, and visions came to their rescue in this redemptive work, so that God's meaning might be made clear to the rebellious nation.

Under the figure of “two baskets of figs,” Jeremiah was at one time given an illustration whereby the future of those members of the tribe of Judah who were carried away captive to Babylon “for their good,” was distinguished from that of the Jews who remained in Palestine and in Egypt. We read of these baskets of figs, “One basket had very good figs, even like the figs that are first ripe: and the other basket had very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad.”

The Jews who went into captivity were to be purified by leaving the homes of their forefathers, and in a strange land among people worshiping strange gods, were to learn individually to worship the one and only God, who is everywhere present and to be found not merely in the temple at Jerusalem. But those who clung obstinately to power and prestige at the seat of national authority or fled for supposed safety into Egypt were later overwhelmed by the waves of a more terrible conquest, which destroyed Jerusalem itself.

When the call comes to march forward, leaving all unnecessary baggage behind, the temptation to burden one's self with cherished opinions, silly notions, useless habits, ancient grudges, and false trusts is liable to halt the advance. As Mrs. Eddy so well put this in her article entitled “An Allegory” in “Miscellaneous Writings,” where she describes the climbing of the mountain of Christianity: “Many there were who had entered the valley to speculate in worldly policy, religion, politics, finance, and to search for wealth and fame. These had heavy baggage of their own, and insisted upon taking all of it with them, which must greatly hinder their ascent.”

In time of fire it is not well to rush back into a burning house to find some material knick-knack, nor at sea in a shipwreck to load one's self down with all of one's material belongings. Those who travel on the spiritual highway or ascend above the clouds must be foot-free and leave the world's falsities below. Speaking of Christ's second coming Jesus said to his disciples, “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” Jesus also said to them, “But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.”

The “very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad,” are like those individuals who will not hearken to the voice of God. They stand stock-still when the bugle blows for the advance, thinking to insure their own safety by inaction, preferring self-styled prudence to divine guidance. Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health, “Divine Science does not gather grapes from thorns nor figs from thistles.”

Into the basket of “very good figs” we may safely place spiritual vision, obedience, gratitude, loving-kindness, the mellowness and sweetness of the fruits of the Spirit; but in the other basket belong selfishness, resentment, suppression, secret malice, self-ease, all the qualities which decay the fruit and make it worthless. The choice is constantly offered between the fruits of the flesh and those of the Spirit, between human will and divine Mind, error and Truth. In the spiritual, only the good figs are real, the bad figs represent evil human beliefs and are unreal.

We do not read that it is possible to mix good fruit and evil in order to obtain mediocre fruit, or that the naughty figs can be placed at the bottom of the basket and the good ones carefully arranged on top to hide evil. It is certain that men and women cannot expect liberty, health, happiness, strength, and spirituality by looking for fruit in the wrong basket. Jesus truly said: “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”

Fig trees need plenty of sunshine, they need the light; right ideas cannot thrive in darkness, but in the light they blossom and ripen abundantly. So also individuals who are obedient to Principle flourish in the spiritual illumination which comes from God and dispels the falsities of the dark. But human mistakes can be corrected. The Christ, Truth, wipes away all blots upon the escutcheon of character, restores the faint-hearted to the power of stout deeds, proves discouragement and disappointment to spring from mockery of the actual facts of existence, and confirms the victories already won by making reversals, or returns of evil conditions, impossible. When a forward step toward Spirit has been taken, Christian Science prevents any retrogression.

When the basket of “very naughty figs” is offered for acceptance, it can be rejected in behalf of the basket of “very good figs.” Christian Science proves that there is no problem or condition of sin or sickness, no loss, no fear or failure which can baffle the divine Mind, but that God governs with wisdom and love, and man gathers good fruit through joyous, ready, and spontaneous obedience.

Christian Science Journal December 1899

God’s gift to the world of Christ Jesus, His only begotten Son, was truly a bounteous gift.

This Son was given for what? That the world through him might be saved. Saved from what? If the answer is, from sin, we reply, Yes; but what is it to be saved from sin? The Christian Scientist will answer, Salvation from sin is the rescuing of mankind from all error; and all error includes every phase and every result of sin. Among the results of sin are sickness and death. Christ Jesus, therefore, was given of God to save from sin, sickness, and death.

Clearly did Isaiah foretell this great Christmas gift: —

“I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.”

Is not this a confirmation of the claim that Christ Jesus was given to save from sin, sickness, and death? It is but one of many, many, similar assurances.

Then, too, how clearly Isaiah foresaw and foretold the glad heralding of Jesus' birth: — “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” How literally was this glorious prophecy re-echoed in the “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men” of Luke's gospel.

Who, in the light of such direct fulfilment of ancient prophecy, can doubt that God's precious Christmas gift was ordained “from the beginning”? And who can doubt that Jesus knew whereof he prophesied when he said to his disciples, after his resurrection and just before "he was received up into heaven," "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; . . . they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover"?

Surely, was God's great Christmas gift to mankind a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit — Divine Love.

“A feast of Soul and a famine of sense,”

Was our Leader’s Christmas prayer;

Impersonal love without alloy

For all mankind to share.

The stone that closed the door on God

From man she rolled away,

And through that opened door light shone

In one eternal day.

Christ is this open door in man

Through which flows in God’s love;

But man must share if he would gain

This largess from above.

“A feast of Soul” for all mankind

Is now our Christmas prayer;

A feast of universal love

Which we ourselves prepare.

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Current Articles

With Christmas upon us, I am always searching for spiritual food to counter what seems like great materialism of the season. Today, I was reading an article to my mother from the Plainfield carousel entitled, “Blessed Christmas,” by Doris White Evans. My sister's visiting 6-year-old granddaughter heard me read that "Christmas is the gift of God. It commemorates the coming of the Christ to a world in need of its healing message of hope and joy. It needs to be seen in its true light." She gradually moved in my direction, until she reached my chair, then scooted in next to me and leaned her head on my arm, listening to every word.

This opened up the opportunity to ask her about her understanding of what Christmas was all about. She really didn't know, so I talked to her about Jesus. Then I remembered an article, called “Gifts,” by one of the practitioners here at Plainfield, Florence Roberts, where she said that the “gifts of good thoughts are affordable by everyone ... They do not need wrapping and they don't have to be mailed. We can keep them, and yet bless with them, and they never run out.”

I asked her if we could give all of our family the best Christmas present of all. She smiled and looked at me, listening for more. I told her she didn't need to buy anything. She just needed to send, in her thoughts, love to each of them, that this would be powerful and they would feel it. She nodded, but was then called to leave by her mother.

I turned back to my mother and read from another carousel article, called, “A Christmas Gift” by Gilbert Carpenter, which tells of a Christian Science Teacher, whose students felt a "wonderful uplift," finding out later that it came from their Teacher's “Christly love as his gift to them all.” He was following Mrs. Eddy's practice of sending out spiritual blessings as her Christmas gift to others. I told my mother that we needed to do this for our family and all mankind. It would be the best gift ever given.

So, I am busy sending out gifts of love, and I have Plainfield to thank for teaching me about this. I am so grateful for the articles posted on the Plainfield carousel. Their topics are always timely, but today, their inspiration just flowed through my daily activities, one after another. And I learned a new way of gift giving, which is important to me at this time of year.

A family member recently became unwell and concerned with their symptoms, and they asked to be taken for a covid test. Testing facilities all required appointments, so we tried a small local pharmacy near where we live.

While being tested, my family member asked the pharmacist why he was not wearing a mask, especially while giving these tests. His response was simply, “because I’m not afraid. I respect everyone's choice to wear or not wear a mask; but for me personally, I’m not afraid, and refuse to live my life in fear.” He went on to say that the media and the government have gotten everyone into a state of fear. He said we are constantly being bombarded with news and various opinions about this, and through having this thing forced upon us, trying to control us. He said they have gotten everyone so stirred up, that at the least symptom people become panicked. He told us he was speaking from his own personal experience, and that our bodies are naturally made to fight these things. He went on to say that you can’t listen to all the hype and be afraid.

The wonderful thing was that I could see my family member’s demeanor start to change, and they started to perk up as they listened. I could see their fear leaving. I was so grateful for this, and for the pharmacist’s positive statements and encouragement. I really felt that he was an angel messenger, whose words broke the mesmerism. And, of course, the test proved to be negative.

The theme of the readings on a recent Wednesday night was, “Let God’s Laws Govern You.” It made me think, what would it feel like to let, and to know, God’s laws are governing me?

Hearing recently of planes lifting people up and out of what appears to be a land of lawlessness, reminded me of something my husband shared about his experience when leaving Vietnam, after two years serving in the military. He said that when the plane lifted off the ground, there were shouts of joy and applause. But, it was when the plane landed, touched down in America, that there was felt an overwhelming sense of relief and gratitude. He said it was tremendous. They felt safe under the laws governing their homeland.

A practitioner here has encouraged me to lift off — to lift thought higher, to go higher in the Christ Mind. And, as symbolic with the planes lifting off and landing, my prayer has been to lift up, off a lawless way of thinking, and to let God carry me safely to my true homeland where I have always been, the Kingdom of Heaven within me.

I have had wonderful views of this kingdom within, throughout a seemingly long journey of challenges, for which I am so grateful. My husband’s flight up and out of Vietnam was long. But he knew the wheels were up, he was not going back, and that he felt home within him. How symbolic is that? We feel home, the laws of God, within.

On page 412 of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy wrote: “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.”

My practitioner has given me this statement to work with for my children, and for children everywhere, to know that through Christian Science, God is unclasping the hold of every ungodly claim these kids encounter.

It has occurred to me, more and more, just how many different claims are attempting to lay hold on young people everywhere. It feels like the internet has allowed us all to be exposed to so many agendas, schemes, and opinions of the human mind. On top of the emotional and social holds that I dealt with through family and school back in the pre-internet days, I have witnessed my children be bombarded by imagery that tries to normalize violence and sexuality, and beliefs such as identity politics, the thought that hard work is designed to hold you back, that the medical establishment is your friend, or that getting supported by the government is a desirable thing. This little list isn't even close to being everything our kids encounter.

My gratitude is for how Christian Science and practitioner support have shown me that all this noise of the human mind cannot change who God created these kids to be, and that they are the children of Truth, Life, and Love. Our Father-Mother God has a place and purpose for each of them and each of us. They may need to face a time of being deeply, but rightfully, unfulfilled by a very human existence, but when they are truly ready, God will pull them close and show them the better way, as He did with me.

I am so thankful to have this Science, and to know this Truth works for me and everyone.

The Bible story of Elisha and his servant Gehazi tells us: “When the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” (II Kings 6:15-17)

That caused me to remember that many years ago, a friend had tried for several years to introduce me to Christian Science. But, almost everything she was talking about seemed like an airplane joke — it went over my head, and I just didn’t understand what she was talking about. Later my friend told me that one day she prayed in earnest, “Father, open her eyes!” And I came into Christian Science soon after that.

I had a family situation where the parents told me (while the babies were still in the womb) that I must never talk about God or Christian Science to the children. If I were to do so, my access to the children would be completely cut off.

I realized that it would be helpful for this dear family to see — to experience God’s Truth in action, and this would help them understand. At one point, the husband told me that he was in excruciating pain, and I offered to pray for him. A healing came quickly because his need was so great that he was receptive to the basic truths we talked about. I prayed with all my heart, “Dear Father! Open their eyes! Open my eyes! All eyes are open! ALL is the See-er!”

“The Christ, Truth, does not merely open ‘the windows of heaven’ for us, or promise us heaven, but the knowledge of the Christ in Christian Science is heaven here and now. This knowledge of Truth, as it is taught in Science, is heaven’s open door for all.” (Watches, Prayers, Arguments given by Mary Baker Eddy, page 37)

The Bible Lesson for Sunday October 10, 2021 contained passages entreating parents to diligently teach God’s commandments, statutes, and judgments to their children (children so naturally grasp these precepts). I took this message to heart, and felt that this directive applied to me. I thought to myself, “I have a divine right to speak the Word — in the right season. All people have the divine right to know the Truth!”

A couple of days ago, the wife texted me to ask for a copy of Science and Health. It was my great pleasure to give her a copy, along with a Bible (which she gratefully accepted). Also, I offered to teach the children Sunday School classes, if she was ever interested in that.

I’m not pushing her in any way. After all, God had brought us both this far, in spite of the fact that we both had an initial resistance to Christian Science. I know that Love does not just take us part way. We shall be guided all the way — in God’s own time and in God’s own way — to a knowledge and demonstration of God with us. Mary Baker Eddy said, “Spirit, God, gathers unformed thoughts into their proper channels, and unfolds these thoughts, even as He opens the petals of a holy purpose in order that the purpose may appear.” (Science and Health 506:18)

I learned about Christian Science for the first time 20 years ago. At first it was strange to read the weekly Bible lesson with my spouse, who was introduced to Christian Science by a friend.

However, soon after, I found that what I was reading made total sense. Ever since I did not let loose of this precious gift. I didn’t have many contacts with other Christian Scientists and often felt as sitting on an island all by myself. No one to talk to about it, no one to learn from. Nevertheless, I kept on reading Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy, her other writings and the Bible.

I am most grateful, that since Christian Science came into my life, I don’t feel the need any more to consult a medical doctor. All ailments that seemed to come my way left. There were assaults like a stiff shoulder over a period of many months, back pain, unrhythmic heartbeat or shingles. Occasionally I consulted a practitioner, but mostly I just held tight to the Truth, didn’t let fear take over, but kept calm in knowing the Truth will make me free. I didn’t experience instantaneous healing, but over time of holding on, all these attacks vanished, as if they had never existed.

Mortal mind claimed that I am just lucky, that I just might have a good physical constitution. But since I heard Florence in Plainfield say: “All good comes from God,” I credit the good that has happened to me, fully to God. I am rejoicing in the Love of God for me and all mankind. I am thankful to my spouse, this beautiful reflection of God, for having shared the gift of Christian Science with me. I am grateful to Jesus Christ for his example, to Mary Baker Eddy for her diligence in reintroducing Jesus’ teachings and to the Plainfield Christian Science Church Independent and all its members for inspiring me and for populating my virtual island.

My wife and I have had our own business for many years. During that time, there have been occasions to hire people and also occasions when we let somebody go. I like to hire new people, but I do not like to let people go for whatever reason.

During a recent Roundtable discussion, the difference between being kind and being nice was the topic, and it was this discussion that continues to resonate with me. For a good portion of my adult life, I could easily have worn a name tag that said, “I am a Nice Guy.” It could also easily have said, “I avoid confrontation at all costs.” This made terminating an employee a disaster, for it meant confronting issues that were not healthy for our business. On the two occasions where I had to assume this role for the good of the business, I did not want to hurt the other person’s feelings and muddled my way through the meetings. On each occasion, it was a confusing mess for everyone.

Upon hearing the Roundtable, as life would have it, another occasion presented itself, providing another chance to assess whether I had learned anything. And what was different about this time was significant. During my previous interactions I had completely left God out of the equation. Mr. Nice Guy was going to personally handle things, and that was a formula for disaster.

This time my intention was to be kind to this individual. And that meant appealing to God to lead the way. I realized clearly that truth expressed could not be influenced by feelings, no matter where they were coming from. And I also trusted that, with God in the middle of the discussion, the appropriate words would be there. And I had the confidence that there would be a blessing regardless of how the truth was received. What a difference! The meeting was harmonious and clear.

Further proof for me of its efficacy was that there has been no regret, sorrow, or sympathetic feelings, unlike my previous attempts, until Science helped me effectively deal with them.

Words do not express my gratitude to Plainfield’s weekly Roundtable discussion. What a God-inspired idea that blesses the receptive ear. Thank you all for having the courage to tackle all facets of the human experience, translating human challenges into the music of the spheres.

Thank God for the knowledge of the Truth that God is our ultimate Judge, the one we can go to for the fairest verdict!

In the Bible we read from Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.” I have learned that we can rely on this promise with absolute confidence, no matter what the injustice might be.

Years ago during my early times in studying Christian Science, I was confronted with a work situation which seemed plainly unjust. I was learning to trust God more and so, although I was disturbed by this, I kept praying about the situation.

Some of the thoughts that came were the fact that no one but God can use me and also that God’s law of adjustment was in operation and would bring that unfair situation to pass.

Then I realized that if I was relying on God, I had to rid my thinking of the resentment I was entertaining towards the perpetrator. This also required prayer to align my thought with good and to see what was true about God’s man. This took me some time to do, but I was able to let go of that awful feeling of resentment.

Shortly thereafter I got the thought to go to the human resources department and talk with the department head. I did this, and the whole problem was fairly solved.

I learned from this experience to be alert myself to obey the Golden Rule and treat others as I would like to be treated. I most importantly learned firsthand, the power of the ever-operating divine justice, which is here and everywhere for all to rely on.

Mrs. Eddy says: “Justice waits, and is used to waiting; and right wins the everlasting victory. ... Though clouds are round about Him, the divine justice and judgment are enthroned.” (Misc. 277:10-12, 25-26 )

There are many verses in both the Bible and in Mrs. Eddy’s writings that I have long loved. The idea of standing in the gap, is a very important one.

In Christian Science, we are taught not to pray for anyone who does not ask for that help. However, this is something a little different. This is more like what we do in our watches. If you have a loved one in your family that seems to be lost, you certainly have every right, because of your love for them, to “stand in the gap” (Ezekiel 22:30), to be praying for them, to know that they have the mind of Christ and that they can hear God's voice. It is really our duty — and such a privilege too, and we can pray also for our community and for our world.

“Whatever holds human thought in line with unselfed love, receives directly the divine power.” (S&H, page 192) That line is something I work with every time I do a watch, knowing if I am working unselfishly for others, I am receiving directly that divine power. That is a powerful thought.  There is a beautiful prayer that we can say for anyone in Colossians 1 : 9-12, “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.”

It is a pure prayer. You are not praying a personal prayer for something that you want for them, which is not prayer at all, but you are praying that they will be filled with the knowledge of God’s will; they will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord; they will bear fruit in every good work; they will increase in the knowledge of God; they will be strengthened with all power; and that they will joyously give thanks to the Father. What a prayer is that! That’s what we all want, for ourselves and for everyone. This is the prayer that God’s will be done.  A pure and righteous prayer for which I am so grateful.

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Letters of Gratitude

You are the happiest group of people on earth. I have learned more about Christian Science from all that you do. I like it when you laugh, and ponder things, “the deep things of God.” Thank you from my soul.

While continually grateful for all the instruction and inspiration which this church provides, I am especially thankful for the Sunday, September 26, 2021 Roundtable. In it was given vital information to handle the evil trying to present itself in our nation and world, a “Call To Arms.” In that article was a reference to pages 5 and 6 from Mrs. Eddy’s Christian Science versus Pantheism, in Prose Works, showing what we must do, as Jesus did, to cast out evil (the lie). This is vital to our work, and why? Because as Mrs. Eddy says, “Science . . . [is] more effectual than all other means; and, . . . because evil and disease will never disappear in any other way.”

I am grateful daily to God for sending His son, Jesus, to demonstrate the Christ; and to Mary Baker Eddy, who sacrificed her life through love of, and in obedience to, God — explaining this divine Science, for the salvation of all mankind!

Plainfield Church’s focus on teaching children and being “as a child” for healing to take place struck a chord with me. For the past few years, my husband and I have been estranged from his son and his wife, and their children. In the past it has been convenient for me to just “go along” with whatever my husband dictates, especially when it involves his children. Yes, a coward’s lazy way out of a difficult situation. I always felt guilty about being removed from the children, as I was close to them and they to me. Christian Science instruction, study and demonstration, as practiced by Plainfield, has made me take a good, long look at this and I could not ignore it any longer.

A few weeks ago, I reached out to them by writing a letter apologizing for my horrible behavior and asked for their forgiveness. I waited, really thinking that they would not possibly forgive me so easily. About a week later I received the sweetest message from my daughter-in-law expressing her gratitude that I had reached out and how much she had missed me. It was as if a heavy weight had been lifted from my shoulders. A feeling of immense gratitude and humility filled me with such optimism about life and the truth that we can all correct bad behavior. Nothing is impossible if you follow God’s instruction with a humble heart and a true desire to correct erroneous beliefs and thoughts and expose them for what they are: aggressive mental suggestion — all nothing! It was evident to me that neither husband or any family member can trump God’s will and law, and I must hold this position going forward.

Thank you to all the members of this church! We all need you here.

Thank you for the technical team for the website gems, and thank you for the music team for your heartfelt God-centered songs. Both are meeting a need today.

God bless everyone in the Plainfield Christian Science family for the loving work you are doing.

Thank you for watering God’s Garden.

Many thanks for the Wednesday, October 13, 2021 Readings on “Let Your Light Shine” — an inspiring roadmap of unselfed love in following Christ. This is going into my arsenal! And thanks for each testimony that demonstrated the “signs following” from letting this light of Truth shine!

I’m also grateful for all the leadings of Truth found in each Bible Study, Roundtable, Lesson, and all the offerings on the church website. An article found on this site entitled “A Better Way” by Louise Knight Wheatley is a precious reminder of the rewards of sharing this Truth, with Love, to the glory of God!

We cannot possibly appreciate Mrs. Eddy too much. Today, I am especially grateful for her article “Taking Offense,” from Miscellaneous Writings. What a treasure trove for everyday living.

I wanted to thank you so much, and everyone involved in publishing at Plainfield Independent! This week I received my beautiful copy of Collected Writings by Bicknell Young.

The vital insights that our early workers lived and demonstrated are absolutely priceless in this era and contain such powerful and effective thoughts to deal with our world circumstances. Although postal from America is suspended to Australia currently, I will certainly be adding to my library all the books that you have reproduced at Plainfield Independent from our early workers.

Thank you so much for this publishing work! It is priceless!

Testimonies of Healing

Faithfully Reading Science and Health

from J. D. in Arizona

A number of years ago at a branch church, each member was requested to read the whole Christian Science textbook, Science and Health, completely.

At the time I thought it was impossible; however, I did start and proceeded to read until I finished it. I got the idea when I saw that after page seven hundred, there's a blank page, to record when I finished the reading. Not only did I read it once that year, I read it twice; and since then I have been constantly reading it, and I have just completed number seventy four. Thank you very much.

Vaccination Reply

Geraldine Hawkins

Do you have a belief, observance, or practice that you consider to be in conflict with the requirements of Executive Order No. 14043? If so, please describe your belief, observance, or practice that you consider to be in conflict with the requirements of Executive Order No. 14043.

It is an honor to have this opportunity to state my sincerely held individual religious beliefs. I was raised in the Christian Science faith; its teachings have informed my conduct and study of Scripture throughout my life. I believe that fear is the foundation of disease and of contagion; that God never made either; and that once fear subsides, disease and contagion recede. I believe that man is God’s image and likeness and therefore a person’s essence is spiritual rather than material. God gave me an immune system that works very well; I do not choose to alter it with experimental vaccines. I depend upon prayer to meet all of life’s challenges, have experienced and observed physical healings through prayer, and have never found God’s protection failing when I trusted in Him.

How does your belief, observance, or practice conflict with the requirements of Executive Order No. 14043?

It is natural for me to turn to God for help in distress, and would be unnatural to allow my body to be injected with a foreign substance. Jesus Christ never resorted to the use of drugs; He addressed the mental and spiritual condition of those who came to Him for help. Under Title VII of the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964, I cannot be forced to undergo medical procedures that I believe are wrong for me.

How long have you held the belief, observance, or practice that conflicts with the requirements of Executive Order No, 14043?

I have held this belief since childhood, when I was a pupil in the Christian Science Sunday School. I was taught that Psalm 91 is our protection (v. 10, “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling”), and I still believe that.

Does your belief, observance, or practice conflict with the use of all vaccines, or only particular vaccines? If your belief, observance, or practice only conflicts with certain vaccines, please identify those vaccines and explain why the conflict exists with regard to those particular vaccines.

I am not opposed to the use of any and all vaccines; American citizens have a right to make their own medical decisions. The covid vaccines are offensive to me because I understand that the Pfizer and Moderna drugs were developed using experiments with human stem cells; and the Johnson & Johnson drug actually contains aborted fetal tissue. As in 2005 and 2006 I was office manager of the Midtown Pregnancy Support Center, a Christian pro-life outreach in New York City, I could not very well be expected to go along with that!

Please describe whether, as an adult, you have received any vaccines against any diseases (such as a flu vaccine or a tetanus vaccine) and, if so, what vaccine you most recently received and, to the best of your recollection, when you received that vaccine.

This question is intrusive and inappropriate; nevertheless I will answer it. As a reservist in the U.S. Navy, I was talked into receiving the anthrax vaccine. This was supposed to comprise five different shots over a period of about fifteen months, if memory serves. After the second shot, military personnel were told that the lab had been contaminated, and the shots were discontinued. To this day, I have no idea what I was injected with! I believe that God is Truth, and in accord with what I believe is Truth’s leading, I have not taken a vaccine since. I left the U.S. Navy Reserve in June 2011, so it must have been before that.

If there are any medicines or medical products that you do not use because of the belief, observance, or practice identified in Question #1, please identify them.

As a rule, I do not take any medicine, over-the-counter or otherwise; other than occasional antibiotics after a visit to the dentist.

Would you agree to wear a face mask, undergo regular COVID-19 testing, and follow all relevant DOI COVID-19 health and safety protocols, as explained in the DOI Workforce Safety Plan, as part of an accommodation?

No. I have avoided taking a covid test, and will continue to avoid it, as it is an invasive medical procedure that conflicts with my religious understanding and practice. Since August 2020, when Independence National Historical Park re-opened, I have worn the face mask while indoors, primarily as an act of charity so that visitors and co-workers would not be nervous; but believe the time has come for me to discontinue the practice, as it is repellent to me to wear what for centuries has been considered a symbol of subjugation, while I am working at the birthplace of the Bill of Rights! Covering the face is a requirement in some religions, but not in my own. I believe it is my duty to forego the mask and show forth the image of God; that in God “we live and move and have our being,” (Acts 17:28) and that “we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18) The preceding verse states: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” For me, it is abhorrent to try to inspire people at the Liberty Bell while wearing a symbol of subjugation common in countries that practice a different religion than my own and that take the opposite view of the human countenance and of liberty.

In the Jewish faith, the yarmulke is worn to affirm the presence of God above us and in our midst. It is my sincerely held individual religious belief that when I wear a mask, I am affirming the presence of germs and making that my god. I believe that whatever is uppermost in our thought is our god. I believe, too, that this is what
anti-Christ (whatever form that takes) would have us believe — that God is not present and need not be acknowledged.

Would complying with the COVID-19 vaccination requirement substantially burden your religious exercise? If so, please explain how.

Complying with the covid vaccine measure would indeed burden my religious exercise, as it would be difficult to pray in good conscience knowing that I had been intimidated into going against my sincerely held individual religious convictions.

You are welcome to propose an accommodation that you believe will resolve the conflict between your belief, observance, and practice and the requirements of Executive Order No. 14043. You are not required to provide a proposed accommodation, but if you do, your supervisor will consider it.

Here are a few ideas, submitted for your consideration:

1. I would be willing, at regular intervals, to a symptom self-screening, such as the one required by Amtrak, in which I am asked, “Have you been in contact with anyone indisposed with coronavirus in the past few days? Have you come down with any symptoms?” etc. (According to OSHA, a “screening” is required, not a medical procedure.)
2. I would be willing to take a saliva test.
3. I would regularly ask our co-workers and visitors if they would be more comfortable if I were to put on the mask.
4. I would be willing to have my temperature taken at regular intervals.
5. I would agree to stand six feet away from visitors while giving talks at the Liberty Bell Center. I have a strong, clear voice that carries, so this would work!
6. If I were to feel the least bit ill, I would stay home; and if I began to feel ill while at work, I would notify my supervisor and go home immediately.

You are invited to share any additional information that you think may be helpful in reviewing your request.

I thought it would be the thrill of my life to work at Independence Hall and get people excited about the birth of the United States. Instead, I have yet to conduct a tour of the Hall, because it violates my sincerely held individual religious beliefs to do this with a symbol of subjugation on my face. The requirement has substantially burdened my job performance, but this burden could be lifted if I agreed to stand at least six feet away from our visitors while in the Courtroom and Assembly Room. I have had a great deal of experience in public speaking, and know how to make myself heard!

I realize that the mask issue needs to be handled sensitively. It seems to be permissible for some rangers to yell (yes, yell) at visitors for briefly removing their masks for pictures. I respectfully suggest that the tension in the chamber may be diffused if it is understood that, in accordance with my sincerely held individual religious beliefs, I can remove the mask long enough to tell our visitors about the Bell that bears the inscription, “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” It may go a long way toward restoring a sense of calm, welcome, and common sense in the treatment of our visitors.

Painting by Luanne Tucker

Christmas Morn

Mary Baker Eddy

Blest Christmas morn, though murky clouds

     Pursue thy way,

Thy light was born where storm enshrouds

     Nor dawn nor day!

Dear Christ, forever here and near,

     No cradle song,

No natal hour and mother’s tear,

     To thee belong.

Thou God-idea, Life-encrowned,

     The Bethlehem babe—

Beloved, replete, by flesh embound—

     Was but thy shade!

Thou gentle beam of living Love,

     And deathless Life!

Truth infinite,—so far above

     All mortal strife,

Or cruel creed, or earth-born taint:

     Fill us today

With all thou art—be thou our saint,

     Our stay, alway.

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Announcements

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.

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!

Tenets of Christian Science

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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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