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.”

The Ninety-First Psalm

The Christian Science Journal, October 1894

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” (Ps. 91:1)

Someone has very appropriately called the Ninety-first Psalm the Christian Scientists’ Psalm. In this Psalm we find graphically described the state of the godly. Reference is made to their safety, their habitation, their servants and their friends — the chief one of whom is the Almighty himself, The Great I AM.

Why is this Psalm chosen by Christian Scientists? Because it well portrays the plane of living to which one must attain, to be a true Christian Scientist. He must dwell “in the secret place of the Most High” continually; the Lord must be his refuge and fortress, — in Him alone can he trust.

But someone will ask, “Have not Christians in all ages been aiming at the same mark; have they not tried to teach their followers how to attain to the same heights?” I answer, Yes and No. They have tried to teach a system that would lead its followers to this height, but it remained for Christian Science to reveal the open door, to give us the understanding. “And with all thy getting get Understanding.” (Prov. 4:7)

All Christian Scientists know that there is no other religion in the world so exacting as this; no other religion that requires such complete surrender of self and of earthly ambitions and affections. And do we consider such surrender a sacrifice? Not at all. When one lays aside the toys and playthings of childhood for the more important affairs that concern mature life; when he has “put away childish things” and “become a man,” does he look back with regret or feel that he has made a sacrifice? It is true that with the advent of mature years, we realize that we are not here to be amused, but that we have work to do; there are battles to be fought and victories to be won. So the Christian Scientist learns that if he expects to have the peace and harmony that should be his, he will have to fight error, or a false belief in error, continually.

There is no one thing that hinders, or prevents, our growth more than fear. Whether we speak of physical, intellectual, or spiritual growth; fear is the lion that stands in the way and retards our progress. Error cannot attack us in any more subtle form than that of fear. A celebrated physician says: “Fear and abject dread can kill a man with as much certainty as a bullet.”

Christian Scientists have nothing to fear if they understand what they claim to believe. “Surely He shall deliver thee . . . His Truth shall be thy shield and buckler . . . thou shalt not be afraid.” The understanding that Truth destroys all error is the one fact that we must ever keep in mind. But we anticipated so much trouble, that we exhausted ourselves in fighting imaginary foes. It is a fact that most expected troubles never come to pass. People wear themselves out living over in mind disastrous events that never do occur.

We must deal with the tempter when it comes to us in the form of sickness as we would deal with a temptation to commit any other sin. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

Now why is it we are so fearful? What then is it that causes fear? Darkness! Then we must seek and find the Light, for darkness is nothing more than the absence of light. And how shall we find the Light? By demonstrating over error, in all its forms, and destroying it. By more and more reflecting Truth, for He said, “I am the Light, . . . Seek and ye shall find.” Jesus also said: “Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” Is that the cause of our lack of light?

He also said: “If ye love me keep my commandments.” “Love is the fulfilling of the law.”

Tonawanda [NY] Evening News, April 2, 1923

Arrows shot at a sunbeam, never harm the sunbeam. If a blacksmith were to try to injure a sunbeam with his sledge-hammer, he would find it impossible to do so. Thus it is with a right-minded, God-expressing man. The shafts of malice, envy, criticism, and hate do him no harm for it is impossible for them to find lodgment. Arrows do not stick in sunbeams. Evil thoughts cannot lodge in a consciousness filled with good. The righteous man lives in a realm into which error's shafts cannot enter. Evil shoots at its own, it cannot see God's own.

As we stand in the safety zone on a busy street of a large city we are safe, even though thousands of vehicles go rushing by. Law has declared that traffic shall not trespass on the zone of safety. God has provided a place of safety for His children. David called it “the secret place of the most High.” (Ps. 91:1). This safe refuge is very near, even at the turn in our thinking. While we entertain the thoughts of the evil mind we are in constant danger. When we entertain the thoughts of God we are always safe.

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High” is right now dwelling in the consciousness of the perfect Love that knows no fear, no evil, no discord, no lies. How comforting is that! Pondering in depth the 91st Psalm has enabled me to get to know God better, to love Him more fully, and to understand His allness. Memorizing the 91st Psalm, especially along with the spiritual interpretation by Doris White Evans, has cast out so much of the daily little fears I formerly felt. As Mary Baker Eddy said, the 91st Psalm will heal anything. Accepting its message is obedience to the Word of God and is a savior from the “big lie.”

A few years ago, as suggested by a Plainfield Church practitioner, I began to memorize this Psalm which, for me, has been quite a slow process. But that’s ok, because the more time spent letting its comforting message seep into consciousness, allowed it to become a nice basis for my state of mind. I am especially grateful for Mrs. Evans’ spiritual interpretation of each phrase, as it greatly expands the meaning of the Psalm.

The effect of this has been amazing. It has healed so much, proved God’s allness and His love, and demonstrated in concrete situations, that nothing is impossible to God. When serious flood waters threatened my neighborhood a few years ago, complete with ducks swimming by, I got busy and put into practice what I’d been learning. And that is exactly when the situation shifted and began to correct itself. And there have been other fine proofs of God’s care. Several giant pine trees crashed around my house and a neighbor’s house, during a crazy wind event, but all falling parallel to the houses. It was only in retrospect that I realized this as an example of “a thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee.”

Acute physical pains and an annoying skin growth alleviated and disappeared, safe passage in scary snow conditions, and the mortal picture of advanced age have all been healed. I am in the habit of going over the 91st Psalm daily, either the entire psalm, or sometimes just certain phrases that pop into thought. It is so spiritually soothing.

So be not afraid. The Word of God in this Psalm is indeed powerful! Don’t drown out God’s voice by petty little doubts and fears. Evil cannot harm you. Listen to your Father! He is right here at all times!

Christian Science Journal, January 1904

A student of Christian Science has recently said, in speaking of the 91st Psalm, that dwelling in the secret place of the Most High means much more than visiting it in an occasional hour of need. The Psalm reads, “He that dwelleth ... shall abide.” This demands a constant effort, rather than spasmodic attempts, toward companionship with God.

Those who are learning the first lessons in Christian Science sometimes wonder why they are asked to keep continually in thought Bible texts and the statements of Science and Health. “How,” they ask, “can reading a book, or repeating to one's self its statements, destroy pain, or fear, or discouragement?” Because they do not understand, they sometimes do not try, and so then wonder why they have not been more quickly helped by Christian Science.

The tendency of the human mind is to drift, and this can only be checked by the determined purpose to choose the companionship of good thoughts. Sir Philip Sidney has said, “They are never alone that are accompanied by noble thoughts.” Can nobler thoughts be found, than those which ring through the statements of the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, — thoughts which attest the absolute power and presence of God?

No assurance of protecting companionship is more beautiful than that found in the 34th Psalm. “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” Science and Health defines “Angels” as, “God’s thoughts passing to man; spiritual intuitions, pure and perfect; the inspiration of goodness, purity, and immortality, counteracting all evil, sensuality, and mortality” (p. 581). Unquestionably, such thoughts, encamping “round about them that fear him,” must loosen the bonds of fear, erase the stain of sin, unclasp the fetters of pain and discouragement, and “wipe away all tears.”

When he who calls himself a Christian Scientist stands faithfully at the gateway of consciousness; refusing to associate mentally with the many suggestions of evil, entertaining no thoughts but those from God; cherishing only such memories and purposes as are laden with blessing; choosing no other companion than the Christ-Mind which he finds reflected in his fellow-man and in himself, then, and only then, is he “entertaining angels.” Then can he know the joy of that divine companionship defined by Jesus. “If a man love me, he will keep my words and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”

Christian Science Journal, January 1886

The peace, the rest, the sure strength, that he finds who “dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High,” can never be known or appreciated by one who has not that abiding sense of security from the “terror by night” and the “arrow that flieth by day." Neither “the pestilence that walketh in darkness,” nor “the destruction that wasteth at noonday,” approaches him, except to depart, for God is both refuge and fortress. The discords of mortal mind may jangle on in their tuneless way; but he who hears the melody of heaven is little disturbed by the wrangle.

“He shall cover thee with His feathers.” Ah, the rest and strength of Divine Love! Human love may fail or grow weary, but this abides with us forever. It overcomes all difficulties; it heals the sick; it destroys sin; it takes away the sting of the grave. Love is the Cause of all that is permanent, and there is nothing else.

Individual hatred and jealousy is inflated to a point of danger, for him who cherishes such thoughts. They are the evil spirits that will rend him asunder, unless he departs from these errors. Those who prefer darkness to light harm themselves more than they possibly can others.

There is no truth now in a lie, any more than there ever was. There is no Life, Substance, or Intelligence in it, and God has nothing to do with it. That which is, is, and that which is not, never will be.

That we may enter the secret place of the Most High, we should cleanse ourselves from dross. He will cover us with His feathers, and we shall be secure. Ah, Love! Therein is Life, Substance, and Intelligence, and there is none outside of Divinity.

“The prince of the power of this world, the spirit which still worketh in the children of disobedience,” is like a fowler, always attempting to snare men in its trap and to destroy. Satan is always a fowler. Whatever his tactics may be, his object is still the same — to catch men in his net.

The fowler’s snare is intimately connected with secrecy. The fowler carefully covers up his trap; or, if the trap itself be uncovered, he will beguile the bird so that it is utterly ignorant of his intention to take it in the trap.

The snare of the fowler is generally noted for its adaptation. You do not find a fowler setting the same snare for one bird as for another — he knows his bird and he adapts his bait to it. One man may be tempted with drunkenness, one through lust, and if these do not attract, it may take the shape of pride. Satan adapts the pride to each particular case.

There is not a place beneath which a believer walks that is free from snares. Behind every bush there is the lion seeking to devour; under every piece of grass there lieth the adder. Let us be careful, let us gird ourselves with the might of God’s omnipotence, and then shall His Holy Spirit keep us so that we shall tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the dragon shall we trample under our feet, and we shall be “delivered from the snare of the fowler.”

God keeps His people from the snare of the fowler by giving them great spiritual strength, a spirit of great courage; so that when they are tempted to do evil they say, with decision, “How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”

God delivers His people from the snares of the fowler, by giving them the spirit of prayer, as well as the spirit of courage, so that they call upon God in the day of trouble, and He delivers them.

It says, “surely he shall deliver thee.” Why? Because he has promised to do it; and God’s promises are bonds that never yet were dishonored. If He hath said He will do it, He will!

Christian Science Sentinel, May 1, 1937

“I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” What faith in God do these words of the Ninety-first Psalm show! What confidence in His power to shield and protect! The whole of the Psalm is a song of gratitude for the goodness and protecting power of the Almighty.

Are we thankful enough for the Psalms as they are preserved for us in the Bible? Sometimes, in Christian Science practice, it is found that a psalm such as the Ninety-first, the Twenty-third, or the Forty-sixth, will bring great comfort to one in distress, more especially if he is a beginner in Christian Science. They serve to lead his thought to God, and away from contemplation of himself; to strengthen his hope in the divine presence and power, and to increase his faith in God.

What can be more arresting to the thought of the one who is believing in some form of evil, than to be told that God is infinite Love, infinite good? Naturally, he will see that this means that nothing harmful really exists. He will realize that evil is unreal; and with this realization, a change for the better will come over him.

In “Pulpit and Press” (p. 3) Mrs. Eddy writes, “Our surety is in our confidence that we are indeed dwellers in Truth and Love, man's eternal mansion.” God is Truth and Love, and man is God's reflection. Man therefore, by reflection, perpetually dwells in Truth and Love. This understanding ensures divine protection. As one becomes conscious of the allness of God he loses the false sense of evil, and is protected against its suggestions. No one who is conscious of Love or good can possibly be conscious at the same time of the opposite of Love or good. To be conscious of divine Love or good means immunity from evil.

If one’s thought is stayed on Truth, if one's consciousness is filled with the ideas of God, then no plague can come nigh his dwelling. The dark images of mortal thought disappear before the enlightened understanding of real being.

If through knowledge of God as infinite good one sees the unreality of evil and the foolishness of harboring evil beliefs, he will not be overcome by the temptation to sin. In a similar way, Christian Science shows how one is protected against persecution. Our Leader writes on page 191 of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany: “Persecution is the weakness of tyrants engendered by their fear, and love will cast it out. Continue steadfast in love and good works.” This is the truly Christian attitude of thought towards persecution. Not only is one who reflects Love shielded from bodily harm, he is also protected from mental harm. He is perfectly protected against so-called aggressive mental suggestion or mental malpractice by knowing Love's allness, and that only thoughts of love or good pass from God to man.

“Prayer is the utilization of the love wherewith He loves us” (No and Yes, p. 39). This means that we must continually be aware of God's allness — Love's allness — and continually be reflecting His love, thereby utilizing it. If we constantly pray that prayer, we shall never be in any danger.

Mary Baker Eddy wrote in the preface of her textbook, “The time for thinkers has come.” The Power behind this divinely inspired proclamation has been ever at work, leavening thought in human generation, ever since our beloved Leader first penned this phrase. It is human thinking that drew the veil. It is human thought that would try to separate us from our Lord — our omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, ever loving: Father-Mother God. And it is human thinking that will fall, as Mrs. Eddy expressed it, “at the feet of everlasting Love.”

The advanced spiritualized thinking set out for us by Mrs. Eddy contains all that is needed for us to dwell in the secret place of the most High. We must follow the precepts to the letter, as instructed by Mrs. Eddy, so that we may move ever forward in the Divine revelation of “at-one-ment” — the revelation that she worked so very selflessly to impart. We each are working to know the true nature of God; to dwell with Him, right now, right here “in earth, as it is in Heaven.” This is the Supreme and paramount goal of Life, for, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1) This “secret place” is our Christ-aligned mentality. There is no state in creation more beautiful and exalted than to dwell in this Christ consciousness, and nothing is more potent in shaping our outward reality, than to dwell in this secret place. Dwell ever with Him; within our own thought — undistracted, unshaken, and unshakable. “Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.” (Psalm 91:3) [emphasis added]

Our Leader’s revelation has deciphered the language of Spirit in a manner that we each may explore, apprehend, and experience. Mrs. Eddy wrote it all down for us; in human language. We have been given a marvelous, selfless, loving, and priceless gift of our Leader, and of all who have apprehended and advanced the cause of Christian Science, to the present day. For, when in human history has human thought been so disrupted, impinged and invaded, than at the advent of so-called “social media”? When has human thought been so bombarded with invasive and erroneous marketing practices that would so easily ensnare thought, as today? Therefore, in this era, we must consecrate our thought every single day, many times each day — sometimes many times each hour — because error would creep in at the earliest; whenever we are not, as Mrs. Eddy phrased it, standing porter at the door of thought.

Our Leader fulfilled prophecy as set forth in the book of Revelation in all that she ever wrote or did, in giving us the “little book”; a gift to us that is beyond price. Our textbook opens the door of thought that we may each do our own work; align our own thinking to the Christ, and stay ever watchful and mentally alert to the divine Mind. Our “little book,” Science and Health, gives us the means to protect human thought in a way that nothing else can; allowing thought to turn naturally to God, good, divine Mind. No separation from our Lord. In consecrating our thought each day, “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” (Psalm 91:4)

Christian Science Sentinel, July 27, 1907

It was a warm day, and the mother turkey had piloted her trailing brood such a long way in search of stray wheat-heads and the delectable grasshoppers, that the younglings were calling plaintively when she finally martialed them in the backyard for the last roll-call before taps. For herself she would have chosen a roost among the lower branches of a near-by oak, but consideration for her weak-winged progeny led her to decide upon the board fence instead, to which she promptly mounted. Settling herself, she called them encouragingly to her side.

In an instant the most daring made the venture; and landing safely near her, he ducked his head and edged along until he found himself close to the mother-heart and fully covered by her wing. Thus, one after another, they lined up, to right and left, each getting just as near as possible to the coveted first place, and each finding room under the generously extended wings, spread out in keeping with the household demands until all were snuggled down in safety and content, five on one side and six on the other.

This performance was not an unfamiliar one to the farmer who had watched it from the kitchen steps, but this evening he found himself peculiarly interested in it. He had been taught for long years to think of God as an austerely righteous being, who is immovable in His decrees and terrible in His doings; but of late he had learned something of Christian Science, and had begun to think of the Father-Mother of all in a different way. This picture of maternal provision for the innocent distinctly contributed to the transformation and renewal of mind which he was undergoing. As he looked upon it he recalled the familiar words, “under his wings shalt thou trust,” and they immediately took on a new and richer meaning. The comforting thought of God as a loving parent who is interested in the welfare and happiness of mankind, outlined itself as never before, and began to assume the significance of an impelling conviction.

He recalled how frequently Jesus referred to this consciousness of the divine Fatherhood, in which he found daily strength and inspiration; how he attributed both his safety and his success to the nearness and omnipotence of Love, and how he encouraged, yea commanded, his followers, that they give place to neither anxiety nor fear, since He who careth for the sparrows was to be their abiding wisdom and strength, their support and stay in every stress and storm of human experience, so that nothing should be able “in any wise” to hurt them. He saw, moreover, that while Love’s protecting wings are always available, and large enough for our every need, Love's call must be heeded, and in response thereto each must put forth effort, and mount a bit to his own place. He also saw that, though protected by the mother-wing, each birdling needed to keep a good grip on his perch, and that, like them, it is ours, as coworkers with God, to cling steadfastly to the truth whereunto we have already attained, that we may not be moved either by the unexpected gusts of personal influence or the more constant currents of mortal thought.

It was one of those simple, ever-recurring experiences which, in the case of every alert Christian Scientist, open the door for new and nourishing perceptions of spiritual truth, and when the good man went into the kitchen he said to the busy housewife, “Mary, I've been a-thinkin' that if we had sense enough to believe in God, and do what He's told us, — if we'd trust to His takin' care of us as them gawky turkeys do to their mother, — we'd get on a mighty sight better. Just look out there! How contented they be; and d'ye see, every last one of them is ‘beneath the shadow’ of her wings.”

Salvation in faithfulness to God

Mrs. Eddy once stated that the 91st Psalm would heal anything. It contains a mighty healing power that has blessed and helped people throughout the ages. Here follows the text of that Psalm with a spiritual interpretation:

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High:

He who loves God so much, that he is willing to leave behind all false knowledge and material trusts, and go into the secret place of God, where he’s alone with his Maker and commits his every thought to God.

Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty:

He who thus commits his way to God, lives under the protection of the Almighty, completely overshadowed by His love and protecting power. Nothing can touch him but good.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust:

I will declare, that the Almighty God is my peaceful refuge and strong protection. I therefore dwell in absolute safety. Abiding in that place where I’ve given up every earthly ambition and desire, alone with my Maker, I will actively claim this Truth of truths.

Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler:

Surely He shall deliver me from any snare that mortal mind would set out for me.

And from the noisome pestilence:

And from the thing that seems so fearful, that would try to disturb and paralyze my thought.

He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust:

Covered by the warmth and absolute protection of God, I am as safe as the baby bird in its nest; comforted by God’s Motherhood, and resting in the softness and peace of Divine Love. This is a beautiful illustration of the way God keeps us, when we turn to Him with all our hearts.

His truth shall be thy shield and buckler:

God’s Truth is my complete defense and shield, no matter what error may falsely claim. Truth is a certain protection here, surrounding me with Love.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday:

No fearful thought shall come to me at night, for God gives a peaceful rest. The day is also in God’s hands, and error cannot send its powerless arrows in my direction. There’s no such thing as pestilence in darkness or destruction at noonday. God has banished these lies forever.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee:

My consciousness of God’s loving protection causes every error, whether one, or ten thousand lies, to fall powerless at my feet.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked:

I will recognize that evil is nothing. Evil is never a person, and it always defeats and destroys itself. Spiritual perception recognizes this fact.

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:

Because I have turned to God with all my heart and chosen to walk with the Christ, nothing of an evil nature can befall me or approach my consciousness or spiritual dwelling place.

For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways:

His powerful, glorious, angel thoughts are surrounding me here, this moment, lifting off every fear and care. Every detail of my life is God-protected.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone:

These angel thoughts lift me up and beyond any of the unreal rantings of mortal mind. Evil and its false claims cannot cause me to stumble or fall. God’s angel thoughts are here now, lifting, and sustaining me with Divine Love.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet:

I shall, with the authority and dominion of God, tread upon any evil belief that presents itself to me. No matter what form error takes, big or small, it is unreal and powerless.

(God now speaks:)

Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name:

Because you have loved, and obeyed Me, I will deliver you from every evil suggestion and condition. You cannot be downtrodden or depressed. I will lift you up in Spirit, to perceive My glory round about everything.

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble:

Because you have been faithful, I will answer at once when you call for help. I will never desert you, no matter what the circumstances.

I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him My salvation:

You will have a secure, prosperous, and long life. You will understand and demonstrate the meaning of salvation.

(Science and Health 593:20 — “SALVATION. Life, Truth, and Love understood and demonstrated as supreme over all; sin, sickness, and death destroyed.”)

Painting by Luanne Tucker

‘Tis Love that paints the sunset glow,

     The flaming red and purple hues

     That span the heaven’s azure blues

When soft night winds begin to blow.

‘Tis Love that sends the first warm breeze

     Of spring full blown from some green hill

     Adrifting down the bay to fill

Some snowy sail that rides the seas.

‘Tis Love that covers all with white

     And makes of earth a fairyland,

     That marks the cloud with seven-hued band,

That fills with starry gems the night.

Ah! Friend, if Love has such great power

     To bring to earth such loveliness,

     Can we not trust that it will bless

Us, too, and bring us joy each hour?

Back to the top of the page

From Mrs. Eddy

People and Patriot (Concord, N. H.), March 4, 1898 • Published in The Christian Science Journal, April 1898

Sunday was a memorable day in the history of the Christian Science church of this city. The building is known as Christian Science Hall; it was dedicated only a few months ago, and Sunday was the first time, at a regular service, that the Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, has appeared in person in its pulpit. The audience-room was found inadequate to accommodate the people who gathered early to attend; many were unable to obtain seats, and others failed to gain even admission.

Mrs. Eddy invited as guests to attend the service, the forty-seven First Members of the Mother Church in Boston, nearly all of whom were present, coming and returning on a special train, and there was also a delegation of fifteen from Montreal.

The visitors included various eminent persons, and in the congregation, which was a very intelligent and cultured one, were many people of Concord.

The preliminary exercises were conducted by the Rev. Ezra M. Buswell, First Reader, after which Mrs. Eddy herself appeared. She was modestly but very elegantly dressed. As she entered the hall, everybody present rose in deference and respect, and she took her place upon the platform amid profound silence. Mrs. Eddy appeared at her best, as sprightly and energetic as a young woman. She was escorted by Edward P. Bates, one of the trustees of The Christian Science Publishing Society of Boston.

The 163d hymn, from the Christian Science Hymnal, written by Mrs. Eddy, was finely rendered.

Mrs. H. K. Harrison, of Boston, the charming soloist, sang, “Saw ye my Saviour,” a church communion hymn, written also by Mrs. Eddy. Mrs. Harrison is the lady who lost her voice about eight years ago, and was recently restored to health by Christian Science, as expounded by Mrs. Eddy, and this is the first time that she has sung in public since her recovery. She had volunteered to sing whenever Mrs. Eddy might signify her wish to have her do so, and this occasion was selected for the purpose, and most effectively did Mrs. Harrison fulfil the mission. Many eyes were wet with tears as her rich voice sounded the notes of the beautiful selection, and upon her upturned face was a smile of joy as she filled the hearts of her hearers with sympathetic appreciation.

When the time came for Mrs. Eddy to speak, she stepped forward gracefully to the desk designed for her, and read the 91st Psalm, without using glasses.

Her rich, clear, melodious voice served to the very best advantage to emphasize that beautiful passage of Scripture, which she characterized as containing more of meaning than is condensed into so many words anywhere else in all literature, except in the Sermon on the Mount by the great Galilean and hillside teacher. She made this Psalm her text and theme, and, taking it passage by passage, she explained its meaning with an eloquence, force, and impressiveness that held her congregation in profound attention for three quarters of an hour. She spoke extemporaneously, bringing out especially the theory of Christian Science as applied to practical life, and she explained the doctrines of her faith with such simplicity, and yet with such choice language and richness of illustration, that the address was pronounced one of the most instructive and ennobling ever delivered in this city.

Alluding to that significant epoch in her own career when she put forth her hand for God to lead her, and felt a wondrous strength of power, her auditors, many of them, were moved with emotion, but she opened the way from this depth of feeling up to a plane of trust and faith and joy, an inspiration which seemed to move everybody within the reach of her pleasing voice.

Her followers here felt afresh the wondrous influence of her remarkable spirituality, and the very atmosphere of her presence seemed to thrill them with enthusiasm, and to awaken in them zeal.

Divinity Course and General Collectanea, p. 222

Abide in the 91st Psalm and know that such abiding is treatment and protection. There is nothing that can make laws or influence you. There is but one Mind and that is Love.

Do not give life to evil by attaching it to a person or thing. It cannot live without a body. Man is immortal, one. There is but one infinite manifestation. No error can attach itself to man and why deceive ourselves by thinking it can do so? Every manifestation of life is ever-present and omnipresent good and this carries within itself all healing, sustaining. Know that the kingdom of heaven is within you and this is your armor.

(in the first person with scientific interpretation)

Attributed to Mary Baker Eddy

I dwell in the secret place of the most High, (consciousness of good) and abide under the shadow (protection) of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord (Supreme Ruler), He is my refuge and my fortress; my God; in Him will I trust.

Surely He shall deliver me from the snare of the fowler (temptation) and from the noisome pestilence (uncleanness, impure thoughts).

He shall cover me with His feathers (omnipresence), and under His wings (omnipotence) shall I trust: His Truth (omniscience) shall be my shield and buckler (defense).

I shall not be afraid for the terror by night (mental malpractice); nor the arrow (aggressive mental suggestion) that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence (mental contagion) that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand (false beliefs) shall fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand; but it shall not come nigh me.

Only with my eyes (personal sense) shall I believe [behold] and see the reward of the wicked (unrighteousness).

Because I have made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, my habitation;

There shall no evil befall me, neither shall any plague (inharmony) come nigh my dwelling.

For He shall give His angels (spiritual intuitions) charge over me to keep me in all my ways.

They shall bear me up in their hands (power of right thoughts), lest I dash my foot against a stone (belief [of life] in matter).

I shall tread upon the lion (animal courage) and adder (subtlety): the young lion (blind enthusiasm, mortal will) and the dragon (malicious animal instinct) I shall trample under my feet (understanding).

Because I have set my love upon Him, therefore will He deliver me: He will set me on high (spiritual exaltation), because I have known His name (manifested His nature).

I will call upon Him and He will answer me; He will be with me in trouble (human experience); He will deliver me and honor me (manifest Himself through me).

With long life (immortal being) will He satisfy me and show me His salvation (preservation).

If you could but see the sublimity of your hope, the infinite capacity of your being, the grandeur of your outlook, you would let error kill itself. You give it the only life it has. It comes to you to give it life, and you prolong its life by giving it a temporary sense of life.

Painting by Luanne Tucker

Trusting in Love

The Earl of Dunmore, C.S.B.

THERE has come in the midst of human strife

     A doctrine from heaven above.

Which teaches that God is the only life,

     And life is both truth and love.

This doctrine, when new to the world at large,

     Was the oldest of Christian word,

'Twas our Master's precept, our Master's charge,

     The doctrine of Christ the Lord,

It was whispered gently by angels bright

     To a daughter of God on earth,

That gentle message she brought to light,

     And joy to many a hearth.

For the message whispered of truth and love,

     And of One All-seeing Mind;

Of man as joint-heir with Christ above, —

     Of God as a Father kind.

When angels whisper such words of grace,

     Inspired by God above,

Then men must listen, and men must place

     All trust in their Father’s love.

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History Corner

Christian Science Journal, February 1908

While not an acknowledged Christian Scientist, Miss Clara Barton to-day talked with me regarding this wonderful cult in a manner which left no doubt that the great woman patriot is greatly interested in the subject, and in Mrs. Eddy, its Founder. She said that she looked upon Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy as the one person, regardless of sex, living to-day, who has done the greatest good for her fellow-creatures, and that Christian Science itself is the most remarkable as well as the most potent factor in religious life. Her admiration for Mrs. Eddy is beyond limitation, and she is intimately acquainted with the life history of the Founder of the Christian Science Church, for she outlined her story from the beginning and commented upon the magnificent single-handed struggle and sacrifice made by Mrs. Eddy in her effort to give Christian Science to the world.

“While I have not studied deeply enough the great religion founded by Mrs. Eddy to consider myself a Christian Scientist,” said Miss Barton, “I can say that I look upon Christian Science, as I understand it, as the most ideally beautiful yet the most practical and comforting of beliefs. It is doing more in the world to-day, and will continue to as more people become cognizant of the beauty of its teachings, than any other one influence for good. Mrs. Eddy should have the respect, admiration, and love of the whole Nation, for she is its greatest woman. Her teachings spread love and good will among men, and a Christian Scientist cannot be a Christian Scientist unless he has eliminated greed and selfishness from his nature.”

Asked if she had read Science and Health, Miss Barton said that she had, and was much comforted by its teachings. “Love,” she said, “permeates all the teachings of this great woman, — so great, I believe, that at this perspective we can scarcely realize how great, — and looking into her life history we see nothing but self-sacrifice and selflessness. Never has Mrs. Eddy tried to bring her personality before the public. She has, on the other hand, isolated herself from the world, and her only motive in doing so, I firmly believe, has been in order to let her teachings, instead of herself, reach the people. She has never exploited herself, but so profoundly has she been interested in bringing a great, joyous, healing and comforting religion to a people, that she made directly for that object, regardless of what criticism came to her in so doing.

“How beautifully she has managed her own unfortunate trials! Without malice, always with a kindness and charity that is almost beyond human comprehension, has this woman fought antagonism, and that only with love. And I say no one familiar with her life and her teachings can help but see the marvelous consistency and beauty of what she has given to the world in Christian Science. The Christian Scientists I have met all impress me with that same spirit of unselfishness that is characteristic of Mrs. Eddy. They are an intelligent, thinking people, and they impress me that their belief comes after careful and scientific investigation and conviction, rather than from hysterical evangelism.”

“Most troubles are exaggerated by the mental attitude, if not entirely caused by them,” continued Miss Barton. “I have in mind the matter of age. Now it has been my plan in life never to celebrate or make anything of birthday anniversaries, because this only depresses and exaggerates the passing of years. The mind is so constructed that we have become firmly convinced that after a certain length of time we cease to be useful, and when our birthday calendar indicates that we have reached or are nearing that time, we become lax in our work and finally cease to accomplish; not because we feel in reality that we are no longer useful, but because we are supposed by all laws and dictums to have finished the span of life allotted to work.

“Such a grave error! I have noticed it particularly among old soldiers. Why you know in attending many reunions of old soldiers I have noticed that nearly the whole of their conversation is upon the passing of time and upon their ages. They seem to think it quite marvelous that they are even alive, let alone having in mind the doing of anything for their fellow-creatures. It is not their fault, but the fault of the attitude of the world to the old in years. When a man has ceased to feel himself useful he is no longer useful, but I maintain that no one need feel that way just because he is fifty, sixty, seventy, eighty, or even ninety or a hundred years of age. That is according to year standards. Many men at eighty are as capable of being useful to the world as they were fifty years before; perhaps not in the same way, but maybe in a much more important way, for life gives experience with its years that is of some account, if made use of.

“Birthday celebrations after one is ten are without any value, and what is more, I verily believe that they are harmful. Let your life be counted by the mile-stones of achievement and not by the timepiece of years. We would all be younger if that were so, and would live to be much older than we do at the present time, when the props are pulled from under us by tradition and precedent after threescore and ten has been reached. To-day I feel as young in my own mind as I did a half century ago, and that is because I have not folded my hands and given up work, and have also given up the thought that I was not as useful as I had been in other years. Christian Science gives one the mental attitude to live one's life in accordance with that idea, I believe.”

The Christian Science Journal, April 1911

     Hark, the lilt of a robin’s song!

What cares he for raindrops falling?

Piercing the clouds, the sunbeams dance,

To him, their comrade, calling.

     Fresh, shy, and sweet the primrose grows,

Pure, though the earth be mud-defiled;

Rich in beauty, fair in promise,

Smiling like a little child.

     Gently speaks a voice, heart-thrilling:

O storm-tossed life, O raging sea,

Peace be to thee, for the Master

Walks again on Galilee!

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Interesting Squibs

Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts.

To be a Christian, means a great deal more than believing in certain doctrines, going to church, or even talking about religion. It means living it. It means having Christ in every deed. We cannot leave him out of the most trivial thing.

Isn’t it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do “practice?”

Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.

Genius ain't anything more than elegant common sense.

Boredom, like necessity, is very often the mother of invention.

All the doors that lead inward, to the sacred place of the Most High, are doors outward, — out of self, out of smallness, out of wrong.

A sound discretion is not so much indicated by never making a mistake as by never repeating it.

As a general rule, if you want to get at the truth — hear both sides and believe neither.

I have friends in overalls whose friendship I would not swap for the favor of the kings of the world.

Those who can’t forget are worse off than those who can’t remember.

We turn not older with years, but newer every day.

The lowest ebb is the turn of the tide.

I’m a slow walker, but I never walk back.

I like the dreams for the future better than the history of the past.

I studied the lives of great men and famous women, and I found that the men and women who got to the top were those who did the jobs they had in hand, with everything they had of energy and enthusiasm and hard work.

We must constantly build dykes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.

All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard and will receive what they have asked and desired.

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In Support of Our Nation, Our World

Christian Science Journal, May 1921

At the present moment, the world seems to be divided into two great camps. A situation something very like a deadlock seems to exist; and for its relief, all manner of solutions have been devised, but so far no remedy. Why? For the very simple reason that the cause of the trouble has never been fully recognized. Mary Baker Eddy writes, “Marvels, calamities, and sin will much more abound as truth urges upon mortals its resisted claims; but the awful daring of sin destroys sin, and foreshadows the triumph of truth. God will overturn until ‘He come whose right it is.’ Longevity is increasing and the power of sin diminishing, for the world feels the alterative effect of truth through every pore.” (S&H)

No one can fail to see that old formulas and methods of government, methods of industry, the methods of carrying on almost all kinds of human affairs, no longer work. The task which clearly lies before the world is in the direction of purification, before any permanent improvement can be looked for.

To be effective, treaties, laws, and regulations depend on the determination of at least some party to them to be faithful to his understanding of Principle. Briefly then, what the world is rapidly being forced to see is that the power behind all government is a spiritual power, and that without this power, no real government exists.

In Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes: “During this final conflict, wicked minds will endeavor to find means by which to accomplish more evil; but those who discern Christian Science will hold crime in check. They will aid in the ejection of error. They will maintain law and order, and cheerfully await the certainty of ultimate perfection.” This duty and privilege is laid upon all who “discern Christian Science,” and there is a very urgent need that it be undertaken earnestly and persistently.

The time for real thinkers has, in fact, come, and the call to thinkers to take charge of the world’s affairs is imperative. True thinkers, then — those who are thinking in accord with Principle — must take charge of the world’s economic situation. They must take charge of the armament situation, of the coal situation, of the oil situation, of every other situation, national or international, calling for settlement or readjustment. Paul declares, “The powers that be are ordained of God.” In other words, the true powers that be are forever acting in accord with Principle. Even to Pilate, on the verge of committing one of the greatest crimes in history, Jesus said, “Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above.”

And so the true thinker knows that the powers that be, whether in trade, in industry, or in any other concern of everyday life, can only carry out the purpose and designs of Principle. Christian Scientists are in possession of the great solution and the great discovery for which the world has so long been waiting. Jesus said to his disciples, “For I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.” Of those things of which Jesus spoke, Christian Science is the full explanation.

Any study of Mrs. Eddy’s writings reveals the fact that in praying for the world, she was quite emphatic. No one has recognized more clearly than did Mrs. Eddy that there were no limits to the efficacy of such prayer. She said, “We, to-day, in this class-room, are enough to convert the world if we are of one Mind; for then the whole world will feel the influence of this Mind; as when the earth was without form, and Mind spake and form appeared.” (Mis. p. 279)

Such prayer for the world, to be effective, must be accompanied by an earnest, alert interest in world conditions. The true Christian Scientist is tremendously in the world — although he is not of it. He is forever translating things into thoughts, and forever fearlessly and masterfully examining situations. He is not disheartened by the appearance of sin and deceit, fraud and selfishness. He simply takes charge of the situation when he is confronted by any one or all of them. Nothing escapes him, and he never allows a human bias or a human opinion to intrude for one second into that clear discernment which is his heritage as the image and likeness of infinite wisdom. He not only prays, “Thy kingdom come,” he understands that it is come. He stands determined to demonstrate the truth of what he understands, not only in his own affairs, but in the affairs of his country and of the world. He is neither betrayed into undue haste, nor tempted to delay, for he understands the great truth embodied in this statement: “‘of his kingdom there shall be no end,’ for Christ, God’s idea, will eventually rule all nations and peoples — imperatively, absolutely, finally — with divine Science.” (S&H p. 565)

Christian Science Journal, September 1926

In Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy writes, “The power of Christian Science and divine Love is omnipotent.” Omnipotent power, the All-power, can have no opposition—no antagonist, no contender—and this alone power—divine Love—is available through Christian Science.

There are constantly occurring in the world manifestations of forces which work evil, in the form of earthquakes, tornadoes, devastating fires, and other forms of disaster. These may be attributed to objectified material belief; sometimes operating through the channels of human consciousness, when mortals band themselves together for the promotion of selfish gains and what they believe to be their common welfare.

It is clear that Christian Scientists have a definite duty to perform. Paul was clear as to the character of the seeming forces with which we struggle— “rulers of the darkness of this world.” Physical scientists, physicists and astronomers predict disaster after disaster. Christian Scientists, awake to their responsibility, immediately apply their understanding of Omnipotence; and through that understanding the claims of evil are met and destroyed—claims which seem to human sense to manifest irresistible force.

Let us not be awed by the seeming magnitude of threatened danger. Remember David! From a purely material standpoint he had little prospect of overcoming so ponderous a giant as Goliath. Yet how complete was his victory!

No more does the Christian Scientist sit supinely by, witnessing the forces of evil in their endeavor to overthrow society and destroy the social order. He invokes the divine aid in the effort to prove the power of good over evil, thereby establishing the reign of peace which constitutes the kingdom of heaven.

As Christian Scientists come more fully to comprehend the meaning of Omnipotence, and as they learn to invoke divine aid in destroying the claims of evil, they not only will aid in proving the words of the Revelator, but will join in the great chorus of rejoicing, which will eventually acclaim the destruction of all evil. “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”

Omnipotence is the only power. Let us learn to utilize this All-power in meeting every claim of evil. Christ Jesus has set the example. Our Leader has shown us the way. Our success will be in proportion to our fidelity.

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Watches to Work with Often

Watch Message from July 13, 2017

“We must remember that the smallest truth is mightier than the greatest lie the world has ever known. The one is as enduring as eternity; the other is as transient as a shadow. Take from a lie its power to deceive and it becomes nothing, for its very being depends upon its ability to mislead.”

from Divinity Course and General Collectanea, (the “Blue Book”), by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 233

There is much deceit and double-talk from politicians, the news media, and elsewhere in the world that is not accomplishing anything worthwhile, and only fogs the mentality. Truth and honesty are mankind’s true nature, and that can never be polluted or compromised! Evil cannot hide behind a lie — the law of God exposes and eliminates it! “Truth is God’s remedy for error of every kind, and Truth destroys only what is untrue.” (S&H, p. 142:31-2) God’s creation can only express Principle, Truth, and integrity. The law of God governs!

“In contradistinction to so-called material law, spiritual law is inflexible. It is never two-sided, nor can it be made to conform to human desire or will. It is the law of divine Principle, the law of absolute Truth, the law of immutable Love, the law of eternal Life. There is no physical or moral ill too insidious or too deeply rooted, to be made to yield to this immutable law of God, good.”

from Divinity Course and General Collectanea, (the “Blue Book”), by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 219

Watch Message from April 17, 2018

“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;” — Malachi 4:2

Many are turning to our church, our Wednesday meeting included, for healing and guidance. The stability, strength, and inspiration of God’s healing message reaches the heart and soul, awakening the Christ consciousness within each one — and they feel it! Animal magnetism cannot prevent anyone from “seeking God with the whole heart” and finding tomorrow night’s meeting. So let’s be ready with testimonies to welcome the world!

“There is a continuous demand for all I have to offer. Neither malicious animal magnetism, nor any erroneous mortal thought, can hinder me from meeting those who desire to get what I have to give.”

from Watches, Prayers, and Arguments, given by Mary Baker Eddy, page 93

Watch Message from December 19, 2015

“All good is. You cannot create one iota of good. It is already present. In reality all see it because in reality all are Christian Scientists. There are none to be made. It is no longer a case of ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all do know Him ‘from the least of them unto the greatest of them.’”

from Christian Science, its “Clear, Correct Teaching” by Herbert Eustace, page 362

Let us watch and know that the good work done through this church — including tomorrow’s Roundtable, music, service and Sunday School — is an irresistible pull upon the true nature of all mankind, drawing them out of the unreality of mortal mind into God’s great reality of Truth, Life, and Love. What lie could animal magnetism say to stop this? None!

“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

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From the Early Workers

Christian Science Journal, February 1906

The thought of Christians in general, with respect to the use of remedies in sickness, is that material remedies are the only means for combating disease, and that their use is therefore not out of keeping with Christian conduct. Some have gone so far as to say that materia medica is the legitimate successor of Jesus' healing method!

Christ, Truth, is still present with men, and the injunction of Jesus to “heal the sick” remains a perpetual command to his followers. The modern acceptation of Christianity includes too much worldliness, too much materialism, and not enough spirituality.

The defense of the practice of materia medica as being divinely authorized and in keeping with Jesus' teaching, is an attempt to excuse Christians from obedience to Jesus' command. In his treatment of sickness, Jesus rested his case entirely with God; while materia medica ignores God altogether and rests its case with matter.

The belief that the sick in these latter days can have no hope of being healed except what these material systems offer them, is a delusion which Christians, remembering their Master's life, should be ashamed to hold. This is not progress, but retrogression.

Has Christianity worn itself out, while materia medica has come down the centuries gathering new strength and helpfulness? What then has been lost, what is lacking today — the truth of Christianity, or the understanding of it? If disease was healed by Jesus and his disciples through their understanding of the Christ-truth, these results should not diminish, but increase. That this has not been the case certainly suggests the absence or decrease of the faith and loyalty of Christians.

How can Christians seriously believe that they have nothing better than material means with which to minister to the sick and dying, while they have such a wonderful heritage as the life of Jesus!

Apart from medical means’ use of dangerous and poisonous drugs, its appalling record of mistakes and failures should overwhelmingly nullify any claim of its relationship, either in theory or practice, to Jesus’ unfailingly beneficent and successful healing work.

Materia medica has no spiritual knowledge to impart. It has no quality of love or mercy. It has no balm for sorrow, no antidote for hatred, no remedy for worry, no salvation for the sinner, no release from the fear of death. It has no hope, and acknowledges none outside of matter. Jesus said, “Be not afraid,” while the message of materia medica abounds with the word “fear.”

How is it that Christians resort to a system so entirely separate from God, in the belief that it is the way God has provided for them? What possible fraternity can this method have with that of Jesus, when they teach exact opposites and lead their believers in contrary directions? One leads towards Life, the other towards death; one towards freedom from the flesh, the other towards slavery to it; one towards hope, joy, and health, the other towards fear, despair, disease. Who has ever been made a better Christian because of the medicines he has taken, or the surgical operations he has undergone, or the dieting he has practiced?

Jesus taught through all his ministry that God is the Life of man; materia medica teaches that life is in matter. Jesus said, “Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink;” materia medica says you must be very careful what you eat or drink. Jesus said that those who kept his sayings should not die; materia medica says you must die, — no matter what you do, no matter what you believe, no matter how good a Christian you are. Which of these contrary teachings is calculated to make the best Christians of us? Christianity is from God. Materia medica had its birth in paganism, and was swaddled in superstition and delusion. It stands helpless in the presence of a long list of diseases for which it confesses it has no cure.

Christian Science maintains that it is the duty of Christians to observe all Jesus' commands to keep the whole law and gospel, if they would be whole Christians and be wholly saved. The success of Christian Science disproves all that has been claimed for materia medica as being in any sense a God-appointed substitute for the Christ-method of our Master. It has no poisonous side effects to contend with, no aftermath of bad habits or addiction, no fatal mistakes from faulty prescriptions. It never frightens or discourages its patients, but surrounds them with the truth of God's absolute infinitude.

Christian Science is not fighting the medical profession or any other, but it does plead for that full recognition of Christianity, which is presented in the textbook of Christian Science as providing the only way of salvation from disease and sin and death.

Christian Science Journal, September 1892

In the Bible account of King Hezekiah, he fell sick, and thought his end was near. At this juncture, the king called upon the prophet Isaiah. At first, the prophet told him to set his house in order, to get his heart right toward God — his thoughts in the right channel — for he would not live.

But the king's agonizing cry to God for help, and his willingness to throw all upon the Infinite, broke through the gloom of mortal thought, and God told the prophet to go back and tell the king that the Lord had given him fifteen years; not only this, but that he would deliver the king and the city from the hand of the Assyrians.

There were added unto his days fifteen years, — but, why not more? Was there any good reason why he should not live twice or even three times fifteen years? Is there any limit to the length of days that eternity can give? In other words, does the Lord limit our days and possibilities or do we limit ourselves and then charge it to God? "With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation."

What does Eternal Life know of fifteen years — or what does He know of years at all? What does He, the Ancient of Days, who is Eternity itself, know of the end of His creation or when aught that He has made shall cease to be?

What do you or I, with all our boasted wisdom and education, know of fifteen years or of one year? Can we tell how long one of these so-called divisions of time is? We have no more conception of the length of a second, or fifteen years, than we have of fifteen thousand or fifteen million years.

But of all that, we know absolutely nothing; and of it, there is nothing, because there is no basis, no foundation, no principle in it. We limit our own selves and others as to the number of years that we or they can live, or that can be added after a severe illness. We cut our own selves short and think, 'tis all that God has given! When the shadow has sunk low in the dial, when we are sick and ready to die, we come to Christ in Divine Science. We seek aid in the Spirit of Good; but, all unconsciously to ourselves, we place a limit for our recovery, beyond which we cannot seem to reach. We see Eternal Life, and know it is there, and know it is ours; but we cannot seem to claim it as our own, and so come into full possession of it now.

If the prophet, in behalf of the king, could have overreached his own limit, the fifteen years' extension might have lengthened into eternal life. When we throw ourselves upon eternal Life, we can have added to our years, our health, our strength, our happiness, all that we at the time can conceive as possible to us.

God, the Infinite and Eternal, never set a boundary line beyond which we could not reach. To His own in Spirit and in Truth, God never said, “I have eternal Life, but you can never reach it.” On the contrary, to those that love God, the Christ has ever said, “Nothing shall be impossible unto you," and “Ye shall ask what ye will in my name, and it shall be given you of my Father.”

We set our own limits, saying, This thing is possible, but that is impossible; we can be healed of this, but not of that. Oh! how we do put shackles on ourselves. We limit ourselves, and say with the prophet, “Thus saith the Lord”!

But, when you turn to the Spirit of Truth and cry mightily to the Father of all Good, find your way in Science up to the summit of material sense and view the Promised Land in eternal Life and Light and Glory, — where is seen one vast panoramic view of health, and youthfulness and vigor, and joy, and peace, and rest, for yourself, for me, for all, forever and forever, — then will the flush of youth and vigor settle on your face, and elasticity come into your step. Old age will have vanished away and be as though it had not been. Sickness will disappear and be heard of no more forever. The staff will fall from your hand, for infirmity has fled away and strength is present with you now. The glasses will fall from your eyes, for you see as you never saw before. The shadow will turn back on the dial not ten degrees only, but back, back, BACK, until no shadow can be seen, for infinite and eternal Light is recognized now, and darkness has fled away. Not only fifteen years is added to our days, but Eternal Life, whose limit cannot be found, is with us here and now, and we are “gathered home.”

Christian Science Sentinel, July 1, 1916

Reformers of various kinds — religious, social, political, or economic — frequently make the mistake of supposing that the suppression of evils is their cure. Just because the outward evidences of evil may be driven from the field does not mean that the evils themselves have disappeared. This has only made the belief of evil more subtle.

Merely to send evil into hiding through the agency of fear, only results in postponing the final destruction of it. In the meantime evil tends to assume new forms, designed to baffle pursuit. Therefore to suppress outward evidences of sin, and yet leave sin itself untouched, is to perform a doubtful service for mankind, or rather no service at all.

To cover over the evidences of disease instead of healing it, is to expose the patient to an outbreak in some other form. To store up in consciousness some grievance, even though this may seem justified according to human reasoning, is to pave the way for some latent trouble which may burst forth in mental, moral, or physical conditions. Many a so-called incurable condition has arisen from this tendency of the human mind to retain in secret the evil thoughts which ought to come to the surface for extinction.

Individuals should have the moral courage to face bravely all forms of false thinking and to destroy them before they have a chance to take root in consciousness and become settled habits. The attempt to force an outward peace upon a discordant organization or upon the world at large, before the seeds of fratricide latent in human consciousness have been uncovered and their destruction has been undertaken, merely results in suppressing tendencies which must eventually burst forth in some more subtle form.

Truth will not let error remain at peace. Truth is constantly disturbing false beliefs, and moving them off. Truth and error will never be at ease with each other; they can never proclaim a mutual peace. Not even an armistice can be concluded between them. It is a fight to the annihilation of the error.

On page 450 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes, “The Christian Scientist has enlisted to lessen evil, disease, and death; and he will overcome them by understanding their nothingness and the allness of God, or good.” The sooner the spiritual warrior appreciates this fact, the sooner will he be satisfied to keep his sword unsheathed and ready for action. On the front page of the Christian Science Sentinel are emblazoned Jesus' words: “What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” It is better to be on the alert and prepared for action, so as to forestall error, than it is to allow one's self to be attacked in sleep and be obliged to pass through the terrible experiences of the inevitable awakening.

Loyalty to Truth involves loyalty to those fighting in the ranks of Truth. Following the “good shepherd” implies readiness to find the lost sheep, to save the straying lambs. Therefore the loyal Christian Scientist not only stands ready to correct his own faults, but also holds out a helping hand to those whom the carnal mind seems temporarily to have disabled, — knowing full well that suppression is not cure.

Christian Science Sentinel, April 27, 1918

A regiment was marching down a city street, its steady footfall as the tread of a giant. Then the band crashed out its finest marching tune. The thought naturally came of the unseen army, the great army of those who pray aright, the true Christian soldiers, in uniform or without it, in the wars or at home, who combine to make the invincible army of the Lord.

Mary Baker Eddy expresses no doubt as to right being might, but she prays that God may strengthen it. “Fan Thou the flame of right with might,” is the prayer. (Poems, p. 30) It is those who pray for the right, and consequently work for it and fight against error in all its phases, who constitute the “Christian soldiers, marching as to war.”

The great god Mars would scorn many of them, for they are gentle mothers and loving children; yet God is continually using the agencies which the proud and the self-sufficient despise, to bring human boastfulness to its end. “God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.”

Gathering unseen, there is assembling an increasing host of those who obey “the King eternal, immortal, invisible,” of whom Isaiah says, “The God of the whole earth shall he be called.” They are praying, “Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” This means that an end must necessarily come to cynical self-will, even though it may seem to be enthroned in the seats of the mighty.

Many of the members of this invincible army wear the uniform of their country, and go where their duty calls upon them to be, finding no “valley of the shadow of death” to go through, because they maintain the assurance that God is Life and man cannot be separated from God. Consequently amid trials they are unafraid and give courage to their comrades.

One who called himself a conscientious objector refused to enlist, because of his religion, he said, and claimed to be a Christian Scientist; but he was quickly answered, “Some of our bravest officers and men are Christian Scientists.”

Mrs. Eddy tells about her own way of prayer (Miscellany, p. 286): “For many years I have prayed daily that there be no more war, no more barbarous slaughtering of our fellow beings; prayed that all the peoples on earth and the islands of the sea have one God, one Mind; love God supremely, and love their neighbor as themselves.”

This was published in the Christian Science Journal for May, 1908, and she added: “It is unquestionable, however, that at this hour the armament of navies is necessary, for the purpose of preventing war and preserving peace among nations.”

Prayer is the weapon which will prevail, because prayer as understood in Christian Science is effectual for the healing of the sick, and the awakening of the dead. Through prayer the child, or the woman, or the man, takes the side of Principle and “may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” They who are engaged and engrossed in self may not see the light arising; but it is enlightening men so that they are gaining freedom from sin, lust, and hypocrisy.

Through prayer man learns to know God as He is, and then he is able to withstand the claim of evil to power, because he knows that God alone is power. Christian Science reveals the kingdom of heaven coming to the hearts of men. It will reveal God's healing and saving power so that all men will gladly choose to be saints, and none will desire to be sinners, and in that case the world will not “learn war any more” because it will have become a new world “wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

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Current Articles

While driving on a busy interstate highway, having picked up our grandson for a visit, one of my rear tires blew out. I felt calm and trusting, despite the predicament we found ourselves in, and shortly found a place to pull off the highway. There was already a truck in the same area that had run out of gas and was waiting for a tow truck to bring gas for him. Before our trip, we had affirmed God’s Allness and that God is a very present help in trouble.

Just then my new neighbor, a big, rugged looking guy, left his truck, came towards us and in a loud voice said, “looks like you could use some help.” I never would have described an angel in the form I now found standing before me, but, judging by what took place over the next 30 minutes, I do now.

After getting the jack out and set up, I realized the car was too low to the ground to place the jack underneath. My new friend turned his back to the car, grabbed just above the wheel and lifted the back side of the Prius so I could get the jack in place. Once off the ground, I put the spare on at which point I heard him say, “there’s no air in this tire,” and then, “wait a minute, I think I have the solution.” Going to his truck, he returned with an electric air pump. Once hooked up to his battery, he attached it to the tire and began putting air in. Only problem was, the tire was not filling up. He then looked at me and exclaimed, “take the tire off.” By this time, I’m fully trusting what this angel is telling me. I take the tire off. Then I see him banging the tire up and down on the ground, pushing the sides into the rim until he saw it taking air. I put the tire back on the car and it finally looked road worthy. My friend then offered advice on a safe travel speed, assuring us we would be OK to make it back home. When I offered him a monetary gift, he said none was necessary. He then gave me the pump and said to pass the help onto someone else in need. That would be payment enough for him.

As we continued the journey home, our gratitude for this healing experience was beyond words. By human standards, the odds for such a chain of events to happen would be pretty high. By Spiritual standards, what appears to be extraordinary becomes the ordinary. What cannot God do?

In an article entitled, “All The Way,” by Milton Simon, he shares a story in which a couple is walking some distance towards a town. They are offered a ride by a passing vehicle, the driver telling them he could take them halfway since he was not going into town. As they travelled the wife had an angel message that Love never takes anyone halfway. Love takes us all the way. She immediately thought, Thank you Father; that’s all I need. She continued to ponder this spiritual fact when the driver, having reached the halfway point, called out, “this is halfway, but I have time to take you all the way and would be glad to do so.”

And so it was with our trip. The blessing being not that we made it home safely, but that this enduring Spiritual Truth became so clear. And it did not stop there. We had a wonderful week with our grandson, reconnecting and reestablishing a firm foundation upon which to go forward in the future.

Much gratitude to the Plainfield Church who, so often, through their numerous offerings, motivates me to keep this practice going, and to Mary Baker Eddy for making this practice available in the first place.

A recent Lesson (December 19, 2021) basically asks, “Was the universe created by atomic force?” Believing this means rejecting the first great commandment and supplanting it with belief in a second cause, which is serving creature rather than Creator, effect rather than Cause. This mentality is symbolized in the allegory of the Prodigal Son, who forsook the Father’s house — the house of first and only Cause or origin — in an attempt to find fulfillment in secondary things.

Mrs. Eddy writes in the 1875 edition of Science and Health, p. 281-282, “If to-day the general thought [that is, ‘the people’s idea of God’] embraced the science of being, man’s longevity would increase ten-fold [that is, from 70 years to 700 years], and immortality be brought to light; the years of man will be extended as the belief of intelligent matter is destroyed, until at length a full recognition of Truth shall destroy all sin, sickness, and death. Error will continue seven thousand years, from the time of Adam, its origin. At the expiration of this period, Truth will be generally comprehended, and science roll back the darkness that now hides the eternal sunshine and lift the curtain on Paradise, where earth produces at the command of Intelligence [not by the myth of ‘atomic force’], and Soul, instead of sense, governs man.”

Also: “There is but one primal cause. Therefore there can be no effect from any other cause, and there can be no reality in aught which does not proceed from this great and only cause. Sin, sickness, disease, and death belong not to the Science of being. They are the errors, which presuppose the absence of Truth, Life, or Love.” (Science and Health, 1910 edition, p. 207)

In Revelation we read, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things.” So often it is easy to think that our life, our circumstances, our physicality belong to us, yet we read in I Corinthians: “know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

This is an amazing concept — we are perfect because we literally are His — we belong to Him! We are “bought with a price” — we have a debt to be paid; a debt to God, to Jesus, to Mrs. Eddy, and to all who have ever worked and prayed and glorified God, throughout all time. We must do our part.

For years I struggled with the concept of “trials.” I tried to understand from a merely “human justice” perspective why trials were given to us, why did some “suffer” and some not? The quote written by Mrs. Eddy “trials are proofs of God’s care” was at the time an enigma to me; outside my grasp of understanding. I (wrongly) reasoned that a trial could not be a good thing because it didn’t feel enjoyable to go through at the time. Had I known then, what I know today, I would have rejoiced in my trials and so bound myself to the Father and not be distracted by what material belief would try to present.

I thank dear Mrs. Eddy for her discovery! Christian Science has taught me what Mrs. Eddy meant about trials. It is to proclaim total fidelity to God; to cling to God, to claim His might in times of seeming trial. This not only serves to lessen and shorten the trial itself, but so purifies our thought that we ascend in grace. The trial ceases to exist when we learn this truth. We go upward towards the “Great heart of Christ” as Mrs. Eddy wrote. Isn’t this worth being faithful, no matter what the so-called “trial” appears to be? Mrs. Eddy tells us that we each must understand God, “either here or hereafter” and that “Father Mother is the name for Deity, which indicates His tender relationship to His spiritual creation.” How precious it is to have our Heavenly parent!

Christian Science is a sublime joy because by it, we have clear instructions to follow in order to build our relationship with God — an eternal relationship that is forever ours, and that shows us who we really are. Living according to God’s law in Christian Science does bring about infinite blessings. Our blessings just drop down from heaven right into the middle of what appears to be a trial — transforming the “bitter herbs” to the sunlight of Heaven!

The devil always seems to be at work, using almost every avenue known to man — the media, public figures, even family members and friends — to spread lies and misinformation. The goal is simple: to try to make us feel we are separated from God; and that God is not all-powerful and all-presence, and we are left alone here at the mercy of sin, disease, contagion, and death. Some people have even gone as far as saying that God has forsaken them. What a terrible thing to say about God who made us and has given us everything!

Maybe the right question to ask ourselves is, have we forsaken God? Do our conversations and thoughts on a daily basis acknowledge God’s ever-presence and power? Are we leaning on Him alone, or are we leaning on the news media and politicians for guidance? Do we acknowledge that right where we are standing, right now, is the presence of God, Good, or are we accepting the opposite, lies, that deny God as the only power and presence?

Recently I felt an uneasiness and a sense of separation from God. I quickly realized it was a lie that was trying to make me sin against God by believing that I am separated from God and vulnerable to disease and contagion, and that the world around me is becoming so fragile and infectious. Then I quickly began to pray for strength and grace and an answer came to me in the form of a message, saying, “right where you are is the Presence of God!” So I began to repeat it to myself, that I am in the presence of God, and I became very vocal about it, until I began to believe it, and every fear and uneasiness I had disappeared. I continued to repeat to myself that if I am in the presence of God, that disease, sickness, sin, death, in any form, cannot reach me or anyone. Very quickly, I was free.

Instead of rehearsing the baseless lies, we must repeat the truth to ourselves, as many times as necessary, until we begin to see the effects, or until the presence of error has completely disappeared. As we have been taught in Christian Science, truth is what persists, and error does not. And when you lean on God alone you find strength, peace, happiness, purpose — and healing.

A recent Lesson Sermon told the story of Asa, the king. I was really impressed with his experience. The Bible says he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. The people were worshipping strange gods, and they built altars and high places and images and groves to worship them. Asa came in and tore down the images and cut down the groves. Asa cleared it all out. That doesn’t sound like a gradual transition; it sounds more like a real bold move to clean everything up.

That reminds me of my experience here in the Plainfield Christian Science Church, for which I’m very grateful. There is a reason why we’re independent; because long ago somebody took a real bold move to clean things up, and I must honestly say that it’s been my experience as well. When I first came here, I had a lot of things to get cleaned up, but also I had the tendency to not want to be too bold about it, maybe just be rather tolerant of things that shouldn’t be tolerated. But that’s not what it was like here.

It was a bold move to clean everything up; and I must say that when it happened, I felt one hundred percent better. When things are left undone and left unresolved, tolerated, it weighs on you. It doesn’t do you very much good at all. I am so thankful for those who did take the bold move to make sure everything was cleaned up. God has a very high standard and it’s something that we can hold in our thought and do everything in our effort to strive to walk in that direction. God has a good plan for everyone. I am so thankful for finding the Plainfield Church and its holding on to the high standard and keeping it pure.

As I learn Christian Science, and learn I can trust God completely, I am understanding that He is my exclusive provider for everything.

What I have been learning in this Church and from my practitioner has been allowing me more consistently to not only look to Him for my needs, but also to more readily receive them. It has been wonderful to experience this, especially since I was so confused and full of doubt before coming to Plainfield.

We had been recording and broadcasting from North Star for a time, and at first the incoming line from the teleconference was being distorted as we listened here. I found it very distressing, and yet I found no answer on my own, so I just left the need with God. Then, I woke up last Wednesday with the answer, which ended up being a slight change in the configuration. The sound since then has been perfect. My practitioner told me that “not only is it better, it is solved,” which made me feel completely peaceful about it, because it was so obviously from God.

To be here, learning Christian Science, and learning that not only is God real, and good, but He actually is Truth and Love, and I can completely trust in Him. That is such a constant blessing and joy. He has the answer to every problem, and we can trust Him to reveal it to us.

I have learned that a change of thought, the change of base of thought, doesn’t come in a few weeks or so. It's a matter of persistence in the Truth, our love for God and man, and the Truth that is telling us that we are spiritual beings, not material beings. That our thought must be like the thought of the Christ, and this, we can claim every day and persist in it.

This week I was reading a 1907 article by Samuel Greenwood called “The Passing of the Dream.” I was struck by something it said — it’s been said before, in so many different ways, but I like the way he puts it. He said, “when it is understood from Christian Science that human thought, and not chance or material law, is the author of human experience, and produces its own physical conditions, it will be seen how this thought must discern and correct its errors before it can bring out the true sense of being.” I loved that very much. I love the use of the word author, because it just shows us, what am I persisting in? What model have I put before me, what am I looking at every day? That thinking will show what experiences I have.

I love Mrs. Eddy giving us in “Pond and Purpose” (Miscellaneous Writings pg. 203) the three stages of thought. And at the end she really does encourage us in the beautiful way she ends the whole thing: “Beloved students, you have entered the path. Press patiently on; God is good and good is the reward of all who diligently seek God. Your growth will be rapid, if you love good supremely, and understand and obey the Way-shower, who, going before you, has scaled the steep ascent of Christian Science, stands upon the mount of holiness, the dwelling-place of our God, and bathes in the baptismal font of eternal Love.

“As you journey, and betimes sigh for rest ‘beside the still waters,’ ponder this lesson of love. Learn its purpose; and in hope and faith, where heart meets heart reciprocally blest, drink with me the living waters of the spirit of my life-purpose, — to impress humanity with the genuine recognition of practical, operative Christian Science.”

I am so grateful for the instruction to persist. When a headache comes, that headache that has been there before, when it re-appears we don’t quiver, we don’t get discouraged. It is important to always persist with the truth. I see now what I used to do. I was persisting in the error. I believed it, and kept persisting in it, therefore I could see it over and over and over again. I am so grateful for all the instructions that Mrs. Eddy has given us. So grateful for all the early workers. Those who wrote these incredible articles that remind us where we should be in our thinking, and that forever and ever we must always pay attention to what we are persisting in.

Sometimes, after spending time with family members, especially during the holiday season, you may feel the need to cleanse yourself from “family” activity. By this, I mean, to cleanse yourself from the unpleasant feelings of comparison or irritation or false responsibility about our human family (and friends) that may have swept over you undetected while being in their presence.

After coming to Plainfield, I was reminded the Bible teaches us that Christ acknowledged no ties of the flesh — only those who did the will of his Father were considered his “family.” I love to think about the fact that Jesus almost always referred to God as his “Father.” It was such a tender and close relationship!

We can all have a close relationship with the Father and with Christ Jesus. Mrs. Eddy wrote, “God is our Father and our Mother, our only real relative on earth and in heaven. David sang, ‘Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon the earth that I desire beside thee.’” (Miscellaneous Writings) Reading and pondering those lines has given me a great sense of joy, and also a deep settled calm. It cleanses and purifies one from all human strife and discontentment.

And I so love this passage from the book The Destiny of the Mother Church by Bliss Knapp (page 45) because it shows Mrs. Eddy’s deep love for Christ Jesus. “After Mrs. Eddy’s return to Concord, N.H., Mr. Knapp was asked to search again for the home Mrs. Eddy knew God had prepared for her. Early in December, 1891, she herself was led to a beautiful tract of land on the outskirts of Concord, which she had purchased. She named the home ‘Pleasant View;’ and in writing to Mr. Knapp about it, she said she had longed for a home by the seaside, but instead God had prepared it on a hillside. She wrote, ‘My house stands upon a very sight hill, and the sides remind me of the Galilean slopes where my brother walked, and wept, and prayed.’” Isn’t that so touching and beautiful? Her “brother.”

And so, dear friend, open your heart for you too can have a deep connection and love for your Father-Mother God and for his son Christ Jesus. You will find such joy in this relationship, and you will find it will bless all other relationships as well. There will be such a freedom and tenderness for all of God’s creation and the personal human sense of things will drop quietly away.

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Letters of Gratitude

Dear loving and beautiful Plainfield Independent congregation, thank you so very much for the beautiful music, singing, and readings at the Christmas Eve service! It was absolutely sublime, to hear all your loving voices praising “Jesus Lord at thy birth,” and finishing with the beautiful organ setting of “Joy to The World!” So much love from our household here in Australia to all the Plainfield congregation around the whole world! So much LOVE and THANKS and JOY to you all!

Yes, agreed, thank you so much to everyone for the Christmas Eve service. I listened at the end of Christmas Day, it was just the most marvelous end to a beautiful day, such a professional production with superb performance after superb performance. Plus I shed a tear at ‘Silent Night’ and at the sweet children’s voices.

Everything was just wonderful. How you all make the time to practice and produce such a professional-sounding music production, as well as the weekly Sunday services, all of which include excellent music performances, Wednesday meetings, Sunday School, the watches, the websites, newsletters, Roundtables etc. etc. – I’m not sure I could find a group of people more dedicated and hard working!

The realization of the many years of hard work that have gone before hangs poignantly. Thank you, again, so very much for all that you do.

“Mortal mind is the worst foe of the body, while divine Mind is its best friend.” Science and Health pg. 176:19-20

So grateful that God’s grace is sufficient and that we always receive our daily bread from Him!!

I loved hearing the discussion during this past Sunday’s Roundtable (12/19/21) about having no limitations about ourselves, and the fascinating story shared about a woman, at age 103 who was in search of someone in her home and was seen on camera accomplishing something that was highly unusual for her at the time, due to the claim of limited mobility. With her desire to find the person for whom she was searching firmly in her mind, she was able to leave her walker at the top of the stairs, descend the steep stairs, look around the living room, walk back up the stairs, and return to her bedroom, with no assistance, and walking normally, without her walker. This brought to mind Mrs. Eddy’s account on page 261 of Science and Health, about the “noted actor” who was “so lame that he hobbled every day to the theatre, and sat aching in his chair till his cue was spoken. . .” At that point, he became “oblivious of physical infirmity” and walked about “as actively as the youngest member of the company.” Mrs. Eddy states that he was “under the strong impulse of desire to perform his part.” Her explanation of this account, which was also proven in the story about the woman mentioned above, states, “If one turns away from the body with such absorbed interest as to forget it, the body experiences no pain.” Thank you to all those who shared during yet another enlightening Roundtable!

I live in Bowling Green, Kentucky. We had a big tornado early Saturday morning. I was at work at 2:30 am when it hit. We went into the bathrooms for shelter. I kept saying to myself God governs the weather and will keep us safe. The factory I work in was slightly damaged. No one hurt. When I got home my apartment was okay. My little dog was upset but fine. Thank God for all these blessings.

I am so grateful for the Roundtables and Bible Studies that Plainfield broadcasts to the world. I feel so included. It feels so universal to the whole world.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

I want to say a special thank you for all that I have been learning by being part of the Plainfield community this year. Before I found Plainfield I asked several other Christian Scientists, “we know that Mrs. Eddy wrote a lot, so surely there must be other essays or sermons besides Science and Health and Miscellaneous Writings?” They said they did not know of any. So, what a joy to find Plainfield, and not only lots of additional articles by Mrs. Eddy, but also by all the early workers too, and permission to read them. I am very grateful to Plainfield for making these important writings available to the world.

I would also like to express gratitude for Christian Science, and the opportunity to learn more about the way of life Mrs. Eddy intended for her followers, for very kind practitioner support, and for all the activities of Plainfield Church.

Much love.

Another terrific Bible Study this morning, led by Thomas – Thank you! Upon reading a bit online about Clara Barton, one finds that she had some similar experiences and / or challenges in life as did Mrs. Eddy, though very different in their specifics, of course, as Ms. Barton’s focus was in the materia medica world. She was the youngest child in her family; she had a difficult childhood; she excelled despite her shy demeanor; she nursed a bedridden brother back to health; she founded a school — the first free public school (located in Bordentown, NJ), which was a huge success — so much so that the town’s “powers-that-be” hired a male principal to run the school, which outraged Clara. She faced the challenges of women working in a male-dominated work force — she was harassed by male co-workers when she worked in the U.S. Patent Office, and they tried to get her fired by besmirching her name; she founded the American Red Cross and the National First Aid Association of America. Learning just these few aspects of Clara’s life, it is no wonder that she praised Mrs. Eddy, and it is equally easy to see why Mrs. Eddy had such high praise for her, too, and so appreciated her support.

Thank you, Thomas, for putting the Bible Studies together; Plainfield for providing this teaching component as part of the Church; and everyone at Plainfield, who participates. The Studies have renewed my reading interest in the Bible (outside of our Lessons), and I am finding that when I pick up the Bible to read a Chapter, out of an interest in researching a subject, this now turns into reading many Chapters and then the Book and the next Book, and so on. It is riveting material and I thank Plainfield for reawaking my love of the Bible as a book of Books.

Recently I awoke in the wee small hours with the thought, “They cease to have who cease to give:” from hymn 182. Then came, “In patient obedience to a patient God, let us labor to dissolve with the universal solvent of Love the adamant of error, — self-will, self-justification, and self-love, — which wars against spirituality and is the law of sin and death.” Science and Health.

We sure needed these ideas, but it also occurred to me this is a needed, wonderful way to pray for the whole world which I haven’t thought of before. Isn’t it wonderful that there is an antidote for the adamant of error? Thank you, Father. Thank you, Mrs. Eddy.

Enclosed is my monthly contribution; it comes with grateful thanks for the solid rock upon which this independent church is based! The God-directed activity of each and every member is appreciated, as it seamlessly works together for good to accomplish God’s good purposes to bless the world.

With love and thanks.

Enclosed is a contribution with loving appreciation for the work you are doing to bring Love, healing, Truth and God’s ideas together to make the world see what Truth is and find peace.

I am rejoicing to be lovingly welcomed in membership!

Even though I live in California, I try to read your Bible Lesson every day. It’s well done and put together. Plus, I love reading the various articles on your website, Particularly Bicknell Young who is one of my favorites.

Please accept the enclosed check to be used for your expenses. Thank you so very much for the Christian Science services that you provide not just for your community, but the world.

So very grateful for the Roundtables. Grateful for the teachers / practitioners, all of you that work so tirelessly on the wonderful website! Such a wealth of information.

I can’t express enough my gratitude!

Bless you all!

With much love and gratitude!

Dear Plainfield,

I am grateful for many things, one of them the November 7, 2021 Roundtable. It was eye- opening for me. The watching point 149, to recognize the good and perfect reality already here, I don’t need to create it, but see it. The perfection is already here.

Thank you so much for the Roundtable and all the work you do for the world.

Great Roundtable on January 2, 2022 that made so clear the power of God in every situation! Thank you for this important reminder. Years ago a friend of mine was in her barn doing chores when a strange man entered and was coming for her. She immediately looked right at him and started repeating aloud the Lord’s Prayer. He turned around and left before she reached the end. Later, when she spoke to the police, she discovered that this man was wanted for raping other women and she was very lucky to have escaped! The power of God is with us always.

Dear Plainfield Church,

Since coming here, I’m so grateful to this church and practitioner support for the positive changes in my life. You are providing so much for so many. Thank you.

Recently I felt deluged by very negative pictures of happenings in the world, my country, and in the area where I live. I know these pictures have to be challenged and occasionally find I have fallen off my watching post. However, it never lasts for long, because I find that our Father provides me with the necessary spiritual teaching to uplift my thought and let me know that I have the tools to handle anything. This poem brought my thought back to the place it needed to be when I was struggling with the wrong view.

“In God’s own might.

We gird for the coming fight.

And, strong in Him whose cause is ours.

In conflict with unholy powers,

We grasp the weapons He has given, —

The Light and Truth and Love of Heaven.”

One thing I love and have come to realize in attending the Plainfield church services, is that God always meets our needs and often this is done in presenting something new to thought, and why not, since there are infinite loving truths just waiting for us to see. I cannot give enough gratitude to God for leading me to this Church, our practitioners and those who make these services happen.

My deepest love to all.

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Testimonies of Healing

from M. A. in Australia

We have had many blessings of lifting of mood and greater sense of hope and optimism since listening to your wonderful contributions on YouTube and working with a very kind and wise practitioner.

I care for a relative who has many health issues. She is nearly 80 years old and is partial to the teachings of Christian Science. She has suffered over forty years from giving birth to her children. Recently she had two weeks of bleeding as if she had her period again, and we were scared. Her doctors were equally concerned, and surgery was proposed, and the plans began. The more we looked at surgery the more anxious we became as heart problems meant the surgery would be risky and recovery slow.

I asked my relative if we could use some Christian Science practices together that my practitioner had taught us. We read the story of the bleeding woman who touched Christ’s cloak in a crowd. We read three versions of this story in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and affirmed that Christ could heal my relative in the same way today.

The next day the bleeding was almost completely gone! We praised God and read the Bible accounts again. The bleeding completely stopped and has not returned. That was a week ago. Today we are going to ring the doctors and tell them she doesn’t need surgery after all. We are amazed.

As people new to Christian Science, we are adjusting to the fact that this could be true. We are asking ourselves if something other than God could have caused it, and then we catch ourselves and give the credit to God. All good things come from God. God is Good. God doesn’t create pain or suffering. God does not send punishments. God is Love and God sends blessings, and these blessings teach us to come closer to Him.

We also remind ourselves that the miracles of healing can come gently. They can come naturally and gently without alarming us. We just have to remember to rejoice and give God our praise.

We have huge gratitude to Mary Baker Eddy, Plainfield Christian Science Church, Independent, and everyone who has contributed to the website, the Roundtables, the testimonials, the readings, music, and our dedicated practitioner. We would not be in this very blessed place without you.

With big blessings and abundant love.

from N. S. in New Jersey

I wanted to express my gratitude for all that we are given in this church, and for the teachings and support of my practitioner.

Recently, I felt like I had pulled a muscle in my neck. It was very painful and stiff, and I was unable to move freely or to lie down to sleep. Although I prayed about this and would get relief, it seemed that one wrong move and the pain would come back.

I called my practitioner to ask for support and I was given this verse from hymn 49 to work with: “take from us now the strain and stress, and let our ordered lives confess the beauty of Thy peace.” I was reminded that I am not a stressed out mortal, that I am the peaceful child of God. I was instructed to examine my thinking every hour to be sure that it was calm.

As I worked with these statements and hymn 49 throughout the day, I felt the pain lessening. That evening I was able to sleep and in the morning most of the pain was gone. I continued holding to the truth that I am the peaceful child of God, and by the following day I was completely pain free.

I am so grateful for my practitioner’s strong and loving support and for this quick healing. I am also grateful for the added blessings that are coming about through the continuing practice of stopping hourly to examine my thinking and to declare that I am the peaceful child of God. I am so grateful to God, grateful to Mary Baker Eddy for her pure Christian Science that we are being taught here.

from K. M. in California

I am so grateful that I was raised in Christian Science. When I was in elementary school I went to private schools. When it was time for me to go to Junior High, my mother could not find a private school that was not a parochial school, so I went to the local public school. The school was bigger, the classes were larger, and I felt uneasy. I was tall for my age; and as much as I wanted to just go about my day unnoticed, the fact that I was tall and skinny made that impossible. I was teased a lot and lacked confidence.

Almost every morning before going to school, after I ate my breakfast, I would get a stomachache. I knew only God could help me feel better so what often came to me to pray was the Daily Prayer that Mrs. Eddy wanted her students to pray with every day. As I prayed that short prayer, I would feel God’s love and nearness, and this would give me a sense of peace. This Daily Prayer is, “Thy kingdom come, Let the reign of divine Truth, Life and Love, be established in me and rule out of me all sin, and may Thy Word enrich the affections of all mankind and govern them.” That would always relieve me so I could face another day of school.

I can see now that it was fear that was causing me to feel ill. As soon as the fear left, so would my stomachache. This continued for quite some time. But it helped anchor me in my faith in God. I knew to turn to him when I was afraid or didn’t feel well.

I am so grateful for Christian Science because it teaches us who we really are as God’s expression of Himself. Man’s oneness with God has become so much clearer to me; and through the resources of this church, its website with free access to articles, recordings, hymns and so much more, and with the support of my practitioner, this understanding has become more practical in my daily experience.

I am grateful to Christ Jesus whose healing and teaching shows by example the power of what the understanding of man’s oneness with God can do for mankind. I am grateful to Mary Baker Eddy for she fulfilled the promise that mankind would receive a Comforter that would show us that the Christ truth that was exemplified by Christ Jesus is here today in the form of an impersonal Savior, which Mrs. Eddy named Christian Science.

from I. S. in England

Many thanks for the wonderful Roundtable on December 19, 2021. The discussion about the weather reminded me of something that happened to me. The extent of the healing took some time for me to fully understand.

I have been working with the weather in my watches and working with some of the material on the Plainfield website. It helped me to see how we are deceived into focusing on bad weather. I had also been reading and working with “God's Law of Adjustment” by Adam Dickey. Wow, what an amazing read! This article assures us this law is ready and able to adjust any situation. We must be prepared to put all our trust in God and not try to override it or work it out ourselves.

Recently we had a storm here. By late evening the wind was pretty wild, like nothing I had seen before, so strong and relentless.

Around midnight I had a decision to make. My dogs needed their last walk. I wondered if I should ‘stay safe’ and just let them into the garden, as the wind was so wild. But I felt that if I was truly to see the nothingness of this weather, I had to not let it affect my normal behavior. I had to allow God's Law of Adjustment to operate!

So, I and all three dogs stepped out for a short walk. The dogs performed and we went back home, so grateful to get safely back into the warm and lock out the wind. I left the situation in God's hands and went to bed, sleeping peacefully. In the morning, the wind was still just as strong. Upon inspection I felt grateful as we had absolutely no damage around our home. A few hours later the wind dropped, and I headed up to our little field. I expected to find the small wooden stable in pieces, but they were untouched. How the roof never lifted I have no idea. Our animals were all fine. The storm left thousands of people without power for several days, but our area was untouched. Out and about, talking to people, I discovered how scared many people had been. Many said they had sat up all night in terror, that it was one of the scariest experiences of their lives, completely unlike my experience. But I realized how their fear might have fed into the energy of the storm.

I am so incredibly grateful for Christian Science and for what we are learning here at Plainfield. And for your wonderful website. I print out as many articles as possible in case the internet is ever unavailable and keep them in my handbag and various winter coat pockets. I am so grateful for God's protection and adjustment in times of need, and I am so very, very grateful to have been given the tools to access that.

Australia

Am sharing gratitude for Plainfield and the abundance of spiritual resources.

I would like to express my deep gratitude for Mary Baker Eddy’s founding of Christian Science and the Plainfield Independent Church outreach to the world community.

A couple of months ago we had a significant earthquake in Melbourne, which is very rare for our locality. The main tremor lasted for a long 10 seconds and it was very frightening, as the buildings shook across many cities. It was immediately picked up and magnified by the media who warned of aftershocks in the coming days and weeks.

Being tuned into Plainfield rather than the media hype, I was able to see through the guise of mesmerism and turned to the one Mind to calm my thought.

The weekly lesson subject aptly was on “Reality” and the story of Elisha resonated, saying “Fear not,” opening the eyes of his fearful servant to see the true righteousness of God revealed and made manifest and replacing the evil images he had seen earlier.

The Unity Watch was an angel message which urged us to watch and “pray to God for deliverance from the claims of evil” (Misc. p. 114) trying to work as “manipulation...intimidation and domination,” and in another section of the watch “God is the only Mind, the only Authority, the only Power, the only Law in the universe - and nothing exists that could ever oppose or undermine that Power!”

In the July Liberator it mentioned a watch from September 2017 which referenced “Earthquakes” by Herbert Eustace in Christian Science Its Clear Correct Teaching page 324 which was very helpful where he quotes from Psalms 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein” making it a blessing for our local communities and for all mankind. He says “Earth can no more quake in a fearful sense than can a multiplication table.” and points out that “Earth is the substance of Mind and is as stable and eternal as Mind. Mind makes its own adjustments of all pressure and substances harmoniously and perfectly.” Claiming these truths calmed my fears and I was also grateful to be able to share this watch with a concerned friend who lives high up in a residential tower in the city.

I also studied the 2018 Roundtable of September 16th with the theme of “Handling Weather” which has many inspiring ideas, and I liked the idea from Parthens which talked about the size and boundless magnitude of the power of God and infinite immensity of God’s presence, dwarfing the size of the universe itself as David did with Goliath. It presented a powerful picture of God absolutely filling all space and leaving no room for anything apart from Him, which melted all fear and uncertainty and gave me peace, and no aftershocks experienced.

I am so grateful to be a member of the Plainfield Independent church, for the services, Roundtables and for the ever growing treasure trove of inspiring spiritual resources on the Plainfield website.

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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.

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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