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.”

“Influence All Divine”

Church Manual, Article VIII, Sect. 1

Neither animosity nor mere personal attachment should impel the motives or acts of the members of The Mother Church. In Science, divine Love alone governs man; and a Christian Scientist reflects the sweet amenities of Love, in rebuking sin, in true brotherliness, charitableness, and forgiveness. The members of this Church should daily watch and pray to be delivered from all evil, from prophesying, judging, condemning, counseling, influencing or being influenced erroneously.

In a world of sin and sensuality hastening to a greater development of power, it is wise earnestly to consider whether it is the human mind or the divine Mind which is influencing one.

Mary Baker Eddy

Science and Health p. 82:31-2

Mary Baker Eddy writes in Science and Health, “There is but one real attraction, that of Spirit. The pointing of the needle to the pole symbolizes this all-embracing power or the attraction of God, divine Mind.” (p. 102:9)

We should all work daily with this for ourselves and for our children — and for those in authority. We need to know that evil has no attraction, and that, rather, everyone will be repelled by it! Evil is impotent, it has no power; but we need to know this often, not just occasionally. We give it any supposed power it seems to have, by listening to it and believing in it. Mrs. Eddy makes this powerful statement, “Error comes to you for life, and you give it all the life it has.”

When I first came to the Plainfield Church, I was in a clouded state, and Mrs. Evans, the practitioner in Plainfield at that time, taught me that there are no gray areas, everything is either black or white, right or wrong. As I worked with this faithfully, I became mentally more clear and wasn’t clouded any more. God tells you whether a thing is right or wrong. I know things change, people evolve, and there are a lot of good changes going on — but there is only one Truth. We don’t all have our own truth. We must defang the error, defang the lie, the lie that claims error ever could be attractive in any way — or be true in any way! Impossible!

I love the word “attraction,” which means “the power, principle or tendency to unite.” Mrs. Eddy tells us throughout Science and Health that the only attraction, the only force, belongs to divine Mind.

The other word I love is “influence,” as in “an influence all divine.” (Hymn 97) Declare this often for yourself and for others — “an influence all divine.” The only influence is divine — there is no other influence. The definition of “influence" is, “a flowing in, into or on, and referring to substances spiritual or too subtle to be visible, like inspiration.” (1828 Webster’s Dictionary)

God has put His influence into the very essence of all things. Now that’s the truth. God’s influence is everywhere. God is influencing and protecting our children, ourselves, and everyone, leading them away from danger and temptation.

In the Preface of Science and Health, it says, “Now, as then, these mighty works are not supernatural, but supremely natural. They are the sign of Immanuel, or “God with us,” — a divine influence ever present in human consciousness and repeating itself, coming now as was promised aforetime…” (S&H Preface xi:14) Think of it! God’s influence is ever present! No child, no person, can ever be without it. “Adhesion, cohesion, and attraction are properties of Mind,” — only of Mind. Attraction — it is the only attraction there is. Remember, Mrs. Eddy reassures us in this statement found in Science and Health about “the supporting influence and protecting power" of God: “The history of Christianity furnishes sublime proofs of the supporting influence and protecting power bestowed on man by his heavenly Father, omnipotent Mind, who gives man faith and understanding whereby to defend himself, not only from temptation, but from bodily suffering.” (S&H p. 387:28-32) God bestows His supporting influence and protecting power on YOU! How grand is that?!

The Bible is full of wonderful stories exemplifying the supporting influence of God, that influence, ever felt, ever present, everywhere. As we work with these things daily, with all our hearts, minds, and souls, knowing this is the truth — because it is the Truth and this Truth shall make us all free, everyone. Live this Truth and let it bless your life and the lives of others in ways that only God can bring to pass — for all things are possible to Him!

He that goeth forth with weeping,

   Bearing still the precious seed,

Never tiring, never sleeping,

   Soon shall see his toil succeed;

Showers of rain will fall from heaven,

   Then the cheering sun will shine;

So shall plenteous fruit be given,

   Through an influence all divine.

Sow thy seed, be never weary,

   Let not fear thy thoughts employ;

Though the prospect seem most dreary,

   Thou shalt reap the fruits of joy:

Lo, the scene of verdure brightening,

   See the rising grain appear;

Look again, the fields are whitening,

   Harvest time is surely here.

Christian Science Sentinel, March 14, 1925

“The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”

This drawing of all men to God, Spirit, is a perpetual divine activity, which is irresistible. Mankind would quickly awaken to, accept, and obey this irresistible force of Spirit, divine Mind, were it not that material sense, the supposititious opposite of Spirit, is continually affirming its own attractiveness, always flaunting what it calls its own allurements, always claiming that it can satisfy.

The truth is, however, that mankind really does want God, Spirit. They really do desire the good that is spiritual and that endures. This reaching out for good is due to the fact that God, Spirit, includes all that can ever satisfy; that God, good, is in very truth the only attraction.

God is the living God; He is always active, and therefore can only be expressed in right activity. Man thus realizes that his present and triumphant progress in the demonstration of Christian Science will depend on the faithfulness with which he, here and now, yields to the blessed attraction of Spirit.

“There is but one real attraction, that of Spirit. The pointing of the needle to the pole symbolizes this all-embracing power or the attraction of God, divine Mind.” (S&H page 102) Here Mrs. Eddy presents one of the most reassuring facts of existence. Here is the truth which, when understood and demonstrated, will do away with all the claims of evil.

In proportion, therefore, as Christian Scientists refuse to admit any attraction but that of Spirit and so yield to the all-embracing power of God, divine Mind, they will experience the bliss of being drawn by divine Love into the glorious consciousness wherein is good and good alone!

1936 Primary Class

Man is the evidence, the consciousness or the possession, of every essential quality of God. God is all there is to man. Man is Life expressed, and the expression of Life never dies. “Man has perpetual individuality; and God’s laws, and their intelligent and harmonious action, constitute his individuality in the Science of Soul.” (No and Yes 11:5)

Man is coexistent with God, and has indestructible substance and eternal Life. He possesses in infinite measure every quality that makes his creator harmonious, invincible, supreme. As expression, man is the state of complete possession. He is complete in every step of his being, and his characteristics are love, harmony, dominion, clear discernment, perfect and accurate action. Man and his activities are absolutely impervious to any influence other than that of Principle, of which he is the expression, incapable of even the slightest variation from absolute perfection.

Being the perfect idea of infinite Mind, man has within himself all that constitutes harmonious Being. He lacks nothing and does not desire anything. He is a state of possession. The term man includes all that is called mankind. Man means all men and every creature individually, wanting nothing to beautify and glorify his existence. Complete possession characterizes the real man. The divine man includes the universe, reflecting the infinite One. These particular metaphysical points are not doctrinal, but fundamental, and the understanding of them is essential to our progress.

Christian Science Sentinel, October 18, 1924

Human experience, both individual and collective, seems to be a continual struggle between the power of God, good, and the seeming forces of evil. Writing on page 102 of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy presents the true basis for our thinking on the subject of influence or attraction in these words: "There is but one real attraction, that of Spirit. The pointing of the needle to the pole symbolizes this all-embracing power or the attraction of God, divine Mind."

It is necessary to see this clearly, and to remind ourselves of it frequently because, as Mrs. Eddy also writes (p. 213), “Material theories partially paralyze this attraction towards infinite and eternal good by an opposite attraction towards the finite, temporary, and discordant.” It is this claim of an attraction and influence apart from God, good, which is the cause of the continuing struggle in human consciousness between good and evil.

It is important to clearly understand the truth about attraction and influence, in order that the false claim of an evil influence and attraction may be denied and disproved. In the epistle of James we read, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Here we have a standard — does our desire turn us to God, to all things good and right, or away from Him?

In regard to amusement and pleasure, Mrs. Eddy says, “Pleasure is no crime except when it strengthens the influence of bad inclinations or lessens the activities of virtue.” (Mis. p. 362) Spiritual good alone is real, influential, and attractive.

Since Spirit is the one and only real attraction, it must and does follow that the true desire of all men is to know Spirit, God. No false belief, therefore, in an attraction and influence apart from and contrary to God, Spirit, can operate to keep men from being conscious of and responsive to this spiritual influence and attraction. Such work will nullify the arguments of evil.

In observing a compass it is interesting to note the changing deflections of the needle, which are due to certain local counterattractions and influences. As a compass is taken nearer and nearer to the earth's magnetic pole, these deflections are lessened, until they are completely eliminated. This symbolizes the experience of men who may seem to be drawn hither and thither by the so-called influences and attractions of erring sense. As we learn in Christian Science of the one power, God, and consistently endeavor to live in accord with spiritual Truth, the waverings or deflections in our thoughts and lives are lessened to such an encouraging degree, and with such satisfying results, that we are assured the time will come when we can confidently say, in the words of our Master, “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.” The material beliefs in a power, influence, and attraction apart from and contrary to God will then find no response in our thought.

1936 Primary Class

Sometimes evil influences seem to be of such a character that one feels the necessity of doing what he can about it. When I was lecturing in London in 1905, the fog was so thick one night that you couldn’t see more than a few feet ahead. When I got to the hall, I found it was full of fog, too, so that I couldn’t see the audience very clearly from the platform. As I got into my lecture, I became confused and began repeating. I found myself going around in circles. It was an awful feeling, like a nightmare. After about ten minutes I just stopped and said: “Mrs. Eddy did not invent animal magnetism! She discovered that the use of the term was helpful in explaining evil.” Well! It was a most unheard of thing in those days to mention animal magnetism in a Christian Science lecture. But as I talked, the fog began to clear in the hall. The thing was met. Then I saw a little group of odd-looking people down in front get up and leave. You see, they were doing something.

Theosophy is a convenient term of the occultist. They believe that there are certain castes in India who can influence others to do anything they wish. Those who believe in it come under that influence.

The Science of Mind comes to dispose of these things. Learn what Mind is and practice the Science of Mind. When confronted with such stuff, the thing to do is to be a Scientist. There is no other way to deal with them. When we gain the understanding that Mind is God, not in matter, this deals with the error, whether it is obvious or subtle. Become so accustomed to Truth that constantly Truth is in the ascendancy. Every erroneous belief is just a belief. Every phase of error that would be aggressive, is only a belief. Belief claims it must have a malpractitioner. There isn’t any such thing. You won’t fear a malpractitioner if you know there isn’t any. It is foolish to fear anything. The keynote of Christian Science is — Be not afraid!

You understand what prayer really means: it is the pure realization that there is no attraction apart from Mind. There is no presence or power that can foist itself upon man as his mind to encourage him to turn to anything apart from Mind for completeness and satisfaction. There is nothing apart from Mind to give him happiness.

Herbert W. Eustace, Christian Science, Its “Clear, Correct Teaching” page 765

Drawing by Lil from NJ

Arise, shine!

For this is the day

That the Lord hath made.

Let us rejoice,

And be glad in it.

Arise, shine!

Arise, shine!

For the year begins,

And the night is far spent,

And the light is at hand,

And the way groweth brighter

Unto the perfect day.

Arise, shine!

Arise, shine!

Cease to mourn over the past,

Cease to fear for the future,

Cease to count thyself in bonds.

Arise, shine!

Arise, shine!

Were you wronged?

Think no more of it.

Were you unkind,

Thoughtless in thine own sight?

Leave it all lying, just there, amid the lees.

Let the dead

Bury their dead.

Arise, shine!

Arise, shine!

Grieve no more over it.

Look no more into the open sepulchre.

Why seek the living

Among the dead?

Arise, shine!

For a sparrow falleth not

Without His care.

How much more shall He

Feed you and yours.

Arise, shine!

Back to the top of the page

Items By and About Mary Baker Eddy

Divinity Course and General Collectanea,
(the “Blue Book”) by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 239

(Related April 9, 1890) During my first preaching in Boston, I (Mrs. Eddy) had this experience. K– influenced young men to go to church where I preached, Dr. Williams’ church, corner of Shawmut Ave. and Madison St. (Baptist Tabernacle), and disturb the service. As soon as service had well begun they, having taken seats in front, would get up one at a time and go out of the church just to disturb the meeting. Finally Dr. W., seeing their intention, placed himself inside the door, and as they began to go out, he rose and locked the door, and ordered them to their seats threatening them with arrest for disturbing services.

After that stopped, one day as I was preaching a stone came through the glass crashing through the glass and fell at my side; upon which a venerable gentleman arose and implored me not to attempt to go on with the service. I replied that I feared no harm and called upon them to stand still and see the salvation of God. Then a heavy thunderbolt burst which shook the house, and members of the audience say that they saw lightning playing all around me. At the same time, my voice was heard above it saying, ‘He uttered His voice, the earth melted.’ During this time there were no clouds to be seen in the sky. We were never more troubled with any attempts to thus disturb the meetings.

Original version of this article from The Christian Science Journal, March, 1899

Beloved Christian Scientists: — Keep your minds so filled with Truth and Love that sin, disease, and death cannot enter them. It is plain that nothing can be added to the mind already full. There is no door through which evil can enter, and no space for evil to fill in a mind filled with goodness. Good thoughts are an impervious armor; clad therewith you are completely shielded from the attacks of error of every sort. And not only yourself are safe, but all whom your thoughts rest upon are thereby benefited.

It is the evil-thinker who injures himself with what he would have harm others. Goodness involuntarily resists evil. The evil-thinker takes his own dose and dies of his own physic. The right thinker is safe, and abides under the shadow of the Almighty. His thoughts can only reflect peace, good will, health, and holiness.

MARY BAKER EDDY.

Pleasant View, Concord, N. H.

Quoting Adam Dickey’s Memoirs of Mary Baker Eddy

There was rarely a time that healings of one kind or another did not take place when in Mrs. Eddy’s presence. Many were those who publicly testified of their healings through her preaching and sermons.

Along these lines, Mrs. Eddy herself alludes to what St. Paul so beautifully elucidates in I Corinthians 13, when she says:

“I walk the earth in the atmosphere of Love which holds me in spiritual gravitation. The Love that I reflect repels every error of mortal mind, for Love is the only law and Love is all activity. Love fills all channels and expels all error. Love purifies, inspires, protects, and satisfies. Love contains, Love maintains, Love sustains, Love does liberate, unbind, unseal and deliver; naught can hinder Love. Love does supply with perfect freedom, Love does furnish, provide, adorn with great liberty. Love does glow, warm, shine, light with its rays of glory. Love does illumine, irradiate, beam with resplendent brilliancy. Love is the only and all of spiritual attainment in spiritual growth. Without it healing is not done and cannot be, either morally or physically. Every advance step will show you this until victory is won and you possess no other consciousness but Love divine.”

Christian Science Journal, August 1885

A woman — God-inspired — twenty years ago, planted a thought in the minds of the people that will grow until it reaches all nations. The “Tree of Life” will yet shelter “the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” She learned from our Master's teachings and her constant communion with Christ. "Lo, I am with you alway," was to her spiritualized sense of things a recognized fact. “The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” was to her the enduring substance of Life. Her feet touched the mountains, her understanding attained the heights we none of us yet have reached. Her reward will not be the praise of men, but the eternal glory of God.

Who of us will help this woman? Who of us will stand shoulder to shoulder amid the musketry of error, and guard the standard that she has planted? Be not afraid. The marching-song is one of victory, more inspiriting than the Marseillaise of France, and it reaches Heaven. Peace generally comes after the battle, but we have peace through it. Join our ranks, ye that are good and true. Sometimes they get broken, but it is only when the unworthy fall out, and we gain strength by their departure.

Christian Science Journal, March 1910 (Originally published in Woman’s Era, New Orleans)

A student once asked Mrs. Eddy in class respecting some book. She paused a moment, then said thoughtfully that we must test books and people by their influence over us, and that as results might not appear at once, great care was needed in the choice of both books and friends. One at least of those present began to apply the test then given, to Mrs. Eddy herself and to her writings, the result being that their entire influence has been felt as a ceaseless stimulus in the line of spiritual endeavor and of worthy attainment in everything undertaken, and this would assuredly be the verdict of the unnumbered thousands who know this wonderful woman personally and through her teachings. It is this which crowns her life today,—a noble purpose grandly realized,—the vision dearer, the heights nearer, and to her apply Whittier’s words:—

Beyond a narrow-bounded age

Stretches thy prophet heritage;

Through Heaven’s dim spaces, angel-trod.

Through arches round the throne of God!

Thy audience worlds!—all Time to be

The witness of the Truth in thee.

Back to the top of the page

History Corner

Christian Science Journal, May 1892

Captain Eastaman was a sea captain, spending much time at sea and away from home traveling the world.

After being away for five years, I started on my way home from Peru; to save, if possible, the life of my wife, who for six months had been very low, and under the doctor's care. On my arrival, I found her much lower than I had supposed; and the consultation of physicians only made it apparent that she could not live long. In anxiety and distress I then added my own knowledge of medicine, — of necessity quite good, to have enabled me so many years properly to care for both passengers and crews. This also failing to prove of use, my extremity was reached, and God's opportunity arrived.

One evening as I was sitting hopeless at my wife's bedside, a lady friend called and asked: “Captain, why don't you get a Christian Scientist to treat your wife?” To my inquiry as to what that was, she replied that she did not know, but had heard that they healed many cases without medicine.

In the room, at the time, was my nephew who also was under medical treatment. He exclaimed: “Uncle, if Christian Science is good for Manie, it must be good for me too!” I assented, and in a day or two his wife took him (he could not see his way) to a Scientist, under whose treatment he at once placed himself. On his return from the first treatment, he was much improved. This renewed my determination to look into the matter, in spite of my wife's protests and fears that it was Spiritualism. Accordingly, I accompanied him on his next visit to the Scientist's and had a talk with the healer. At this interview I learned of the existence in Boston of a College whose president and principal, the Rev. Mary B. G. Eddy, was the founder of Christian Science. To my nephew I said: “If this healer can do so much, his teacher must heal instantly. I will take you there; then when you are healed, I will get the founder to come to the house and heal her.”

In answer to my request for a personal interview, Mrs. Eddy kindly granted us an extended audience; though to my appeal for help, she made the gentle announcement that she herself did not now take patients, but had instructed students who were well qualified to heal. At this, my heart failed utterly; for I felt that none less than the founder was equal to the healing necessary in our case. As I was about to leave, she turned to me and, with much earnestness, asked; “Captain, why don't you heal your wife yourself?” I stood spellbound. Never for one moment had the possibility of my becoming a healer dawned upon me. I did not know what to say or think. Finally, I stammered out: “How can I heal my wife! Have I not procured the best medical aid, — and, to leave nothing untried, added to that my own medical knowledge? What more can I do?” Gently she said; “Learn how to heal.” Without hesitation, I returned to the parlor for particulars. It seemed, then, that it must require years of study to learn Christian Science, and she whom I was trying to save would not long be here; but when I heard that the entire term required but three weeks, I gathered courage, and asked about tuition fees, which proved to be very reasonable. In twenty minutes more, I had arranged to enter the class about to open on the third day following.

My wife proved much averse to the plan; having, in addition to her fears with regard to Spiritualism, due caution on account of the already heavy financial drain occasioned by her prolonged illness. I was ready to spend every dollar to save her, however, and continued firm in my resolve to go through the class. Thus the 22nd of December 1884, ended “the travail of my soul,” since it proved to be the day of my birth in Christian Science.

The class included many highly cultured people, all more or less conversant with the rudiments of Christian Science; while I, a sailor, with only a seaman's knowledge of the world, and no faintest inkling of the field to be opened up before me, felt very much out of place indeed. However, God had called me there, and I had long since been schooled to say “Thy will be done.” To that first and last and most important question, “What is God,” the students replied variously, according to their own thought, or to the technicalities of Science and Health, which I had not yet procured. When the question came to me, I stammered out: “God is all, with all and in all; everything that is good and pure, — I don't know but it is the very breath I draw.” The teacher smiled encouragingly at my answers, and I was strengthened to go on.

Every day during the term, questions were asked and answers made that puzzled me not a little; but to all of my own simple and earnest queries, the patient teacher replied clearly and satisfactorily. The many laughs enjoyed by the class at my expense did not trouble me, therefore; for evidently my teacher knew that I would not profess to understand when I did not. The simpler my questions, the more pains she took to explain clearly; and thus were brought forward and cleared up many points that otherwise might not have been touched upon. In consequence, that has been admitted to be one of the best classes, as a whole, that has ever graduated from the College. All, except one, went into active work in the Master's Cause, and the majority bid fair to remain “faithful to the end.” For myself, I am sure I did not want Christian Science in part: I wanted every bit of it.

How much was due to my own changed thought, I cannot tell; but after Christian Science was recognized in our home — even before I entered the College — my wife began to recover. Soon as I understood the rudiments, I began to treat her; and, so quickly did she respond to the treatment, that she was able to avail herself of the kind invitation of the teacher to accompany me to the final session. That one lesson dispelled her every doubt as to whether Christian Science had any kinship with Mesmerism or Spiritualism — for which she had strong antipathies. She became, then and there, a staunch friend to the Cause; eager to join the next class, that she too might become a Christian Scientist, and help to bless mankind.

Back to the top of the page

Interesting Squibs

The body is but the picture of which mind is the artist.

When God created man He assumed full responsibility for him. The divine Mind, God, could never abandon His ideas. In the light of this you never have any occasion to be afraid.

Now I will avow, that I then believed, and now believe, that those general Principles of Christianity, are as eternal and immutable, as the Existence and Attributes of God: and that those Principles of Liberty, are as unalterable as human Nature and our terrestrial, mundane Systems.

Life can do no less than express itself in you and through you peacefully and uninterruptedly. It is doing so this moment. It will never do otherwise.

We should rejoice that evil is unreal, and that it has no ability to stand up against Truth.

God does not withhold good for some future occasion. God’s blessings are ready now, for all who will accept and use them.

The Lord loves to use tools which are not rusted with self-conceit.

The divine Mind doesn’t have to learn anything. And this divine Mind is your heritage. Its understanding is spontaneous.

Goodness is the only investment that never fails.

No possible demand can overtax Love’s inexhaustible wealth of peace and comfort.

Each demonstration gives strength and courage to meet the next one, and progress is glorious.

The real tragedy of life is not being limited to one talent, but in failing to use that one talent.

Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.

The only poverty there is, is lack of knowledge of God.

Mind makes its own adjustments of all pressure and substances, harmoniously and perfectly. What Jesus did with the waves of the sea must be done with the earth’s formation. They must be seen as always under Mind’s control.

What you call the material universe is the divine creation dimly seen and incorrectly interpreted.

The fullness of the earth belongs to the free circulation of honesty, virtue, and progress in the footsteps of truth.

The Wright brothers flew right through the smoke screen of impossibility.

Back to the top of the page

From the Early Workers

Christian Science Journal, January 1924

Perhaps nothing appeals more strongly to most people than the possibility of beginning anew. Because of this, when one's thought turns to a new year, there come all sorts of hopeful visions, visions of starting fresh with new purposes and opportunities, with new hopes and courage.

The Scriptures contain many promises of renewal under God’s direction and care, a renewal that always brings forth good. And how grateful mankind may be that not only at the New Year, but each hour, each moment, God is furnishing fresh opportunity to begin anew. The Psalmist declares of Him, “Thou renewest the face of the earth;” while Jeremiah, in speaking of God's compassions, says, “They are new every morning;” and he might well have added, They are fresh every evening. No one with a grain of faith in God's goodness could imagine any cessation of the precious seasons of happy renewal in His kingdom, where good must eternally unfold.

The Christian Scientist is well aware that he has many steps to take in the upward ascent. He knows that Mrs. Eddy speaks truly when she tells us, “Simply asking that we may love God will never make us love Him; but the longing to be better and holier, expressed in daily watchfulness and in striving to assimilate more of the divine character, will mould and fashion us anew, until we awake in His likeness.” This brings true healing. It brings not only the renewing of your mind, but also the transforming of the body.

Mary Baker Eddy, on page 425 of Science and Health, makes the following illuminating statement: “Correct material belief by spiritual understanding, and Spirit will form you anew.” Here is the clear and simple method of Christian Science healing, the definite promise that when God's law is obeyed, complete healing must result. Mrs. Eddy further says on page 246, “Let us then shape our views of existence into loveliness, freshness, and continuity, rather than into age and blight.”

However far the Christian Scientist may have traveled on some mistaken mental road, there is always the glad opportunity of retracing his steps and starting anew in the right direction, always he can unwind the snarls he may have apparently wound around himself; always he can begin anew to put off the old man and put on the new. And the opportunities to do this can never cease, can never be limited! Hear the mighty word of God: “Behold, I make all things new.”

Christian Science Sentinel, September 1, 1928

Among the memories of our earliest Bible lessons, many of us cherish most those dealing with the childhood of Jesus and with his loving regard for the little ones during his ministry on earth. The perfect spirituality of the character of Christ Jesus always attracts the child-thought. Because of this, it is not difficult to teach children the theology of our Master, as set forth in the Bible and Science and Health; and the results will be made apparent in more harmony and intelligence.

A little child after starting school seemed quite unable to grasp the simplest kind of number work. Toward the end of the first school year the teacher expressed the thought that it would be necessary to start the child over again, as apparently she could not even add two and two together. Daily drill at home on very simple addition failed to produce any improvement, and the mother began to seek for Christian Science help on the subject.

In turning to the textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, she was led to read the statement on page 102, “There is but one real attraction, that of Spirit.” It was immediately realized that just as the flower under the attraction of the sun's warm rays unfolds and gives out its fragrance and beauty, so the child, when the attraction of divine Mind is perceived, unfolds in natural orderliness its reflected powers of intelligence and activity. As the mother worked along this definite line of thought, the problem was perfectly solved, and the child soon took her place among the highest of her class, passing the grade with an excellent standing.

On page 407 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes, “Let the perfect model be present in your thoughts instead of its demoralized opposite.”Christ Jesus was the model for all childhood before he became the Way-shower and the example of perfect manhood. We read in Luke, “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.”

It is a wonderful thing for parents to contemplate this perfect unfolding. With this ideal in clear view, we can confidently deny on behalf of our children such false suggestions as lack of development, overgrowth, weakness, nervousness, and so on, and stem the undercurrents of fear and anxiety by ever letting the perfect model be present in our thoughts. Undesirable habits, ill nature, and seeming reluctance to accept the truths we would instill, can also be eradicated by the same method.

Truth does not stand for an intangible and vaporous theory; it is the only power there is, and the seeds of Truth once sown in childhood will bear fruit, even though they sometimes seem to lie dormant for a while. What if to our imperfect sense of things there seems to be a time when the divine likeness appears but slightly developed? We need only to purify our concept of the little ones in our care; for as Mrs. Eddy says in Miscellaneous Writings on page 194, “The lens of Science magnifies the divine power to human sight; and we then see the supremacy of Spirit and the nothingness of matter.”

Christian Science Sentinel, May 4, 1918

Liberty is of God. The more men understand God's power, the more liberty they have. In the liberty of God, men are tuned to each other in one grand harmony of unity. The chimes of spiritual liberty ring for victory even while physical sense seems to lie in bondage. They announce to receptive hearts the dawn of day, the reign of righteousness, of lessons learned, evil plans forestalled, revenge frustrated, hatred baffled — announcing the kingdom of heaven at hand!

The famous Liberty Bell of the United States was brought from England and recast in Philadelphia, and the following Bible text placed upon it: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” This proclamation is true to-day in a spiritual sense which the American patriots of Washington's time could not have understood. Christian Science has caused the true song of liberty to be heard, liberty from sin, sickness, and the fear of death.

Through her discovery of Christian Science in 1866 Mrs. Eddy inaugurated another and greater struggle for liberty than the world had ever known, and for this the bells are today ringing in the hearts of uncounted thousands. She explained this struggle in an address delivered in Chicago in 1888, and to be found on page 101 of Miscellaneous Writings. There she says: “Christian Science and the senses are at war. It is a revolutionary struggle. We already have had two in this nation; and they began and ended in a contest for the true idea, for human liberty and rights. Now cometh a third struggle; for the freedom of health, holiness, and the attainment of heaven.”

Former invalids, doomed by material medicine to lifelong imprisonment, sing in their hearts that the truth has made them free in the true liberty of health; those who were once sick unto death are today robust and useful citizens by reason of it; little children given up as incurable run and play and rejoice in these chimes of liberty.

Christian Science holds out real liberty, and reconstructs the fallen lives on the sure foundation of the rock of the Christ healing power. The former slaves of bad habits, those who have been liberated from prisons and asylums by Christian Science, join in this great hymn of praise and thanksgiving.

Truly, as our dear Leader has said (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 343), “Among the manifold soft chimes that will fill the haunted chambers of memory, this is the sweetest: ‘Thou hast been faithful!’”

We should be on our guard against mental aggression from outside sources. Designing individuals and groups try, inaudibly, either to suppress or direct people and even entire nations. Sometimes this practice produces lethargy, or even more mischievous forms. But there is no occasion for alarm; only occasion for alertness and the active, intelligent realization of the allness of good and the consequent impotence of evil.

An outstanding President of the United States of America, Woodrow Wilson, when warned of the silent unseen hostility of opponents, remarked, in effect: There is no mind to think or voice this enmity; no medium to transmit it, no audience to entertain it. These keen observations hint a technique for successful defense against malicious thought. Mind cannot conceive or project it. Nor can enlightened man feel or harbor its thrusts. “Be still,” then, “and know that I am God.” Here we have the impenetrable shield of faith.

We are not helpless in the confusion and turmoil of the times. We have the ability to extinguish the fanatical influences bent on abolishing freedom of thought and action. And our weapon is of the sort that the mental aggressor cannot see or cope with. It is the verity that Principle — intelligent, animate, benevolent Principle — governs at all times and in all places, tolerating not one unprincipled thing in the universe. This recognition of the reign of law enables us to walk the earth in dignity.

Christian Science Sentinel, June 6, 1925

It is said that a certain French count began the day by wishing himself the following “Good morning: Bonjour, Monsieur le comte; there are great things for you to do to-day!” Surely in all the world's history there were never greater things to be done than there are now, and there were never better equipped men and women to do them than those who are striving to follow the words and works of the master Christian, Christ Jesus. And what a happy thought, that we, like the French count, should begin the day by wishing ourselves a “Good morning”! We all need it. If we begin the day by filling our waking thoughts with good, — with joy, gratitude, and a sincere desire to help others more than we have ever done before, — we are wishing ourselves the best kind of “Good morning”; and it brings untold blessings and opportunities into the coming day.

There are many Bible stories of angels who came to speak with men. These angels brought loving, helpful messages, and announced their presence with glad greetings. Those to whom the angels came must have turned their thoughts constantly towards good, to enable them to hear the glad greetings. So we, too, should ever open our thought to good, that we may be prepared to hear the messages which God has for each of His beloved children every moment of the day.

On page 298 of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Mrs. Eddy writes, “Angels are pure thoughts from God;” and if our waking thoughts are held persistently to these angels, we are building a strong defense for the day against the false, wandering, sinful beliefs which might try to stray into, and find a place in, our thought.

“Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit,” we read in the Sermon on the Mount; and so it is with right thinking. Naturally and without effort it brings forth right results in our experience. In fact, every happy, harmonious result is the fruit of some happy, harmonious thought; and it is entirely normal and natural. We can each expect to have better results every day by thinking better thoughts, and by knowing more about God, good, and His perfect creation. Surely a practical way to attain this is to begin the day by letting pure thoughts flood our consciousness.

David, brought up as he was, a shepherd lad amongst the sheep in the pasture lands round about Bethlehem, must many times have watched the dawn breaking through the purple clouds of night; and perhaps it was then that he first realized the great blessings which came to him as he raised his early thoughts in prayer and praise to God. He says in the fifth psalm, which has been called “A Morning Prayer,” “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”

With our hearts filled with uplifted, angel thoughts, how gladly we shall go forth to wish the whole world a “Good morning”! What a joyous little greeting it is, this kindly wish with which we meet each other! Just a simple, sincere desire that good shall be with all, filling their early hours, it rings round the world and through the world. And how many times each of us says it, — perhaps just a passing “Good morning” to a stranger; but what may it not accomplish if said from the heart, and with the love which spiritual understanding generates, behind it!

Then, as Henry Van Dyke has written, —

May every morning seem to say

There’s something happy on the way,

God sends love to you.

Christian Science Journal, August 1923

My “upper room” is furnished.

Lord, fails there yet one thing,

Or has aught been forgotten,

That Thou wilt not come in?

I’ve washed my dusty floorings

All white with purity,

And swept out many a falsehood,

To make more room for Thee.

At morn, and eve, and noontime,

Close by the door I wait

For sign of Thy approaching,

Thy hand upon the gate.

I’ve swept, and cleaned, and garnished;

Yet, listening, I can hear

Nor sound of Thy dear coming,

Nor footstep on the stair.

I turned from all my pleading,

To lift a brother’s gloom;

And in that moment’s gladness

My Lord was in the room!

Back to the top of the page

Current Articles

Hymn No. 154 says, “In Thee, O Spirit true and tender, I find my life as God’s own child; Within Thy light of glorious splendor I lose the earth-clouds drear and wild.” Christian Science opens the way to find that life as God’s own child.

I have struggled with severe mood swings and a devastating diagnosis of bipolar disorder. This has led to many hospitalizations, during which I’ve been pronounced as incurable. I’ve been told in Christian Science that God is All and God is Life, and I know that by working with this Science, I’m entitled to a Scientific certainty of demonstration.

In 2010, a very dear friend from over 40 years ago came to live with me in Hamburg, giving up the life that she had as a graphic artist in Berlin. It had been through her that I discovered Christian Science in 1979 in Vancouver. We had helped my mother, through prayer, in the 1980s when she was diagnosed with the same “mental illness.”

I’m learning that this belief of heredity is as untrue as two plus two equals five. The belief of many minds is dualism and has nothing to do with seeing myself and others as God has made us. The emotionalism and other situations are issues that I combat by supporting our Plainfield Church by working on translating our Bible Lessons into the German language and sharing it with the field in Germany through the website of the Plainfield Independent Church.

Today, I’m so grateful to have found the way back to the Father-Mother God as explained in Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy, and especially to have discovered the Plainfield Independent Church with all the loving activities on the internet and over Skype. Bible studies, Roundtables and the 24/7 online library with the early workers’ contributions to the movement are lovingly available to any seeker of truth. That is a strong connection to Plainfield.

More and more I am very grateful that I and my friend are now connected with two other people in this church, a team of diligent people to proofread and create beautiful recordings of the lesson every week to share with the German-speaking field.

With every lesson, I get a better understanding of the Bible and Science and Health. The weekly meetings are meaningful enrichment with links to the writings of the early workers, Mrs. Eddy’s other writings, and valuable research through YouTube videos and dictionaries. “Who seeks me, shall find me” (from the Bible), and that is exactly what I feel about my journey back to the source of Love I had already known 40 years ago. It is amazing to know it has never left me and that God is with me, and never letting go of me as His child.

Many years have gone by, and I am a happy grandmother with two very loving grandchildren. All of this feels like a healing that unfolds and enriches, and makes me feel quite confident. Feelings of fear, shame, and self-condemnation are vanishing and I am able to present myself as the strong person that I truly am. Love is in control, overcoming false obstacles.

Thank you, God, for letting me find your wonderful Truth through the Plainfield Independent Church, the teachings of Mrs. Eddy, the Bible, and practitioner help, for a deeper understanding of the Science of Christ.

Watching Point No. 392 in Gilbert Carpenter’s 500 Watching Points contains a sentence that recently popped out at me: “Instead of dreading changes and fighting off the opportunities for making them, welcome them eagerly as you would a glass of water to quench your thirst — they are youth preservers for you.”

How many times, when we have to do something new, do we think, “Oh darn, I have to learn something new”? I did, and I realized I was doing that a lot. At this time I had been listening to and reading items on “age” on the Plainfield website. One was the article titled “Age,” by Mary Baker Eddy. So when I found myself grumbling about learning something new, alarm bells went off! And I thought, “Okay, it’s time to change my attitude. I don’t want to be a grumpy, old, curmudgeon!”

So the next time something new came up to do on my phone, I was a lot more enthusiastic about learning to do it. I started thinking instead, “Oh good I get to learn to do a new thing.” What a difference this has made! Even if it seems to take a while, I don’t mind. I remind myself that God is the only Mind, so I reflect His all-knowing Mind and express divine intelligence. And as Elsie said in a calendar statement, “If God knows, I know.”

I am very grateful to have learned this “something new.”

I am so grateful to be able to work for the cause of Christian Science at this wonderful independent church. Before coming here I was always told that I was too full on about God, that I was too intense about Christian Science. And if I ever tried to give a testimony, I would hear the mental opposition saying either “shut up” or “shooosh you mustn’t share a testimony — oh, mental malpractice will come and get you.” How ridiculous is that?!

I'm so grateful to come to this church and be free of all that error that had attached itself to the misconceptions about Christian Science. I am so grateful to be able to contribute to this Holy cause each week. Error still tries to argue with me trying to suggest to me that I should just shut up, that no one is interested in what I have to say; but that is just the serpent trying to stop me from working for God. And every time that happens, I just dig my heels in for God! Because I am never ever going to shut up glorifying my God! He gives us everything, He gives us Love, He gives us Truth, He blesses us, calms, protects and heals us, always. I will always shout to the heavens that He is my God, my Deliverer, my King! Whom I love!

So thank you, Plainfield Independent, for your Christly example and the pure Christian Science including our precious early workers that you have shared with the world. Thank you for encouraging us to contribute in the way that God would use us “living stones we.” Thank you, God, dear Christ Jesus, Mary Baker Eddy, and thank you to our holy practitioners, and teachers, and workers at this church.

Over a week and a half ago, here in Wisconsin, we received about a foot of snow. Because it snowed over two days, I was able to shovel several times to keep up with it and maintain a path to our stairs that go to the road where our car was parked. Then the bitter cold and wind came, and I stayed inside. Several days later when the forecast was to reach 0° F., and we needed some groceries, I decided it was time to dig out our car on top of our driveway. As I was shoveling and singing hymns, as I usually do when performing outdoor work because it makes the work fly by, a truck with a plow approached and stopped. He asked if I would step out of the way, so he would be able to plow as close to the car as he could. After he was finished, I asked him his name. He only smiled and replied with “just a good Samaritan” and drove off. This was really a gift from God. It didn’t take long after that, that I was able to return to the house and warmth.

The weather did not let up and we received more bitter cold and snow. Again, I waited until the temperature rose, this time to 10°, to shovel out the car. As I was shoveling, I decided to do just enough to be able to get the car out. Later that day, when my husband and I were dressing to run some errands, he called me to the window. There was a man with a white van, snow blowing around the car and he even cleared out the area where our garbage cans were, so we could set them out on garbage day. Here again was another good Samaritan.

As I told this to my practitioner, she related to me a paraphrase from Miscellany by Mary Baker Eddy, “Angels will do your chores.” And they certainly did. Thank you, God, Jesus, and Mary Baker Eddy, for giving us this very precious way of life. Another thank you to the Plainfield Christian Science Independent Church and my practitioner for showing and teaching me how to demonstrate this Science.

For a long time I had nothing good to think or say about Christian Science. My introduction to it came from my mother when I was a teenager. She likely had only a slight knowledge of this Science, so when I broke my hand, all she said was that it was because I “didn't love God enough,” and that she wouldn't take me to a doctor. She offered no more information than that, and I chose to blame Christian Science for my mother's actions and her often abusive attitude.

For many years I held those misconceptions, until I met a few members of this church. They were intelligent, funny, compassionate people, who felt it was important that divine Love guide their every action. Through just being around them, I began to have a very different picture of Christian Science, and I also came to realize how harmful a false conception of Christian Science is.

Christ Jesus said in John 14:16, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;” and Mary Baker Eddy wrote on page 55 of Science and Health, “This Comforter I understand to be Divine Science.” I have realized this means that if your involvement with Christian Science has not left you comforted, then you have not experienced true Christian Science.

Having experienced the comfort of Christ's Christianity here in Plainfield Church, and witnessing how important it is that divine Love guide us constantly, it is clear to me that nothing I experienced of my mother's false beliefs would have ever occurred had she actually understood and practiced this true Science of Mind-healing. And because I have been gaining that understanding, I am happier than I have ever been, can now see myself as God’s child, and am very grateful to be able to help in getting this healing Truth out to the world. It is wonderful to be a part of this mission and to have this Science in my life.

There is a video on the church website of a radio interview with a music historian, singer, and teacher named Joe Carter. He tells about the “spirituals” that the slaves would sing — and they became the foundation for Country, Jazz, and other forms of music. The slaves believed in the Supreme Deity, and the songs were really reaching out to God with a yearning to be free.

Today, it seems that all mankind, people everywhere, are in bondage of one sort or another — to illness, to depression, addiction, heredity, or many other forms of oppression. Mrs. Eddy speaks to this in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, pages 224-228. She says that “men and women of all climes and races are still in bondage to material sense, ignorant how to obtain their freedom.” I love her reassurance that through faith in God, trust in Truth the strong deliverer, we too, through Christian Science, will know and acknowledge the God-given rights of man and be free, as she had done to help mankind. Mrs. Eddy tells us in Science and Health, page 224, “Truth brings the elements of liberty. On its banner is the Soul-inspired motto, ‘Slavery is abolished.’ The power of God brings deliverance to the captive. No power can withstand divine Love. What is this supposed power, which opposes itself to God? Whence cometh it? What is it that binds man with iron shackles to sin, sickness, and death? Whatever enslaves man is opposed to the divine government. Truth makes man free.”

Through the study of Christian Science, I found what God really means, and from that I found who I am and who everyone else is. I can’t be grateful enough for it because it has changed my life. 

I am also very grateful for the “Models of Excellence” magazine that Lynda and Chardelle put together — the piece they did particularly on Martin Luther King. The part of it echoing his words, that the time for this freedom, the freedom that I’m sure Mrs. Eddy was talking about, will come, and I love the spiritual that speaks to this freedom. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “We will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men, white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty we are free at last."

I thank God, Christ Jesus, Mary Baker Eddy, and thanks to all, who in their own special way are bringing their fellow man to the Christ’s way of living, and the greatest freedom of all, the freedom to do and be right!

Kindness is an important quality of God. A few years ago there was a British production of the story of Cinderella. It wasn’t in cartoon form, it was live, with real actors. It was very beautifully done. It transcended just the fairytale story to something much more substantial.

In this production, the mother, the real mother of Cinderella, would tell her as a child to always remember to have courage and to be kind.

That left quite an impression on this little girl, and those two qualities of God — courage and kindness — kept Cinderella safe during such a difficult time with her stepmother and stepsisters. And because she was faithful to that — despite abusive behavior toward her — she was lifted out of that situation into something quite wonderful, as you know the story. This production gave a richer and deeper meaning, and I think of it often in my own life — to have courage, and to be kind.

The definition of kindness is “the disposition which delights in contributing to the happiness of others.” Kindness ever accompanies love. How true that is. What a wonderful quality kindness is and how it certainly would heal so many of the troubles we seem to have these days. So have courage and be kind. All good is possible, because in doing that you are reflecting your Father-Mother God.

Back to the top of the page

Letters of Gratitude

I am very grateful for this church. I do believe my life has been saved and transformed with the prayerful support of this church and the prayerful support of my faithful Plainfield practitioner. I feel the millennium is appearing and the world is being mightily blessed by God. I am also more alert to the deceptions often put out, the counterfeit evil, which would, if it could, have us believe that some power other than God is in control. But dear Christ Jesus said of these times, “Let not your heart be troubled.” (John 14:1) Though it could be thought otherwise, I feel more and more that evil is being exposed and destroyed, and more and more of God's goodness is appearing throughout the world. So, I am grateful for all this.

Thank you for the past Bible studies which I listen to, and I read from my Bible every day. It is my holy companion. Thank you again, Plainfield Church, and all your worldwide congregation for what you are doing and the leading position you have. I know God led me to you back during the time when I passed through very bitter waters. I shall continue supporting the mission of this church in the best way I know how with God’s help. God bless you all.

I want to express my gratitude for the Bible Study on David and Goliath, revealing the spiritual meaning of the Bible and how everything pertains to and can be applied to our lives today. Mrs. Eddy is indeed the young David of our age, and she fearlessly faced the Goliath of errors with all the power of God directing her. Just like David, she never wavered but went forth confident in God's Almighty omnipotence and omnipresence to sustain her entire life's work. We are blessed to enjoy and share the fruits of all her labor and love with all mankind.

The Bible Study on David and Goliath (1-27-2024) was great with lots of participation and many good points being made. I am very grateful for all the optional readings listed by Thomas from N.Y. for us. I particularly liked “Overcoming by Obedience” by Martha Wilcox. There was much that applied to the Bible Study. But when I saw the following passage on page 267 in Addresses by Martha Wilcox, it made me really think about what unselfish love for others really was.

“If we were to see a man overcome with cold and perishing in the snow, how quickly we would go to the rescue, but are we that divine Love that will go to the rescue, when we see another overcome by resentment, greed, vindictiveness, hate, or jealousy?

“On such occasions we can silently reflect the warmth of Divine Love, until his heart feels the gentle warmth of Love, and he is roused to express the activity of the life that is love.

“Opportunity awaits us hourly to manifest that love which is impartial and reaches out to all mankind. Such love is the gift of God, a reflection of that love which includes all of its ideas, and tenderly and impartially protects them.”

So not only do we need to use our Science daily, hourly, to protect against evil Goliaths and destroy evil and prove evil’s nothingness, but we are to use our Science to unselfishly love our neighbor. I am so grateful for Christian Science, Mrs. Eddy, and the Plainfield Church.

Thank you, God, for Plainfield Church and their loving expressions of the completeness of the divine Science per the contributions made by their workers. I love having a new Watching Point to ponder weekly, the weekly Bible Lessons, Roundtables, Sunday Services, and the Wednesday testimonial services.

This week's Lesson sermon on Love is so powerful, solid, worthy of consecrated study and acknowledgment of the promises, and truth found therein.

Thank you, Plainfield Church, for your dedication, love, and continued unfolding of the Comforter, that was promised by Christ Jesus, then discovered, proved, and presented by Mary Baker Eddy.

Many thanks for the phenomenal readings at the Wednesday, February 14, 2024 meeting! The theme, “The Biblical Basis of Government,” so clearly shows the Allness of our good God, and the freedom and prosperity had by all mankind in following God’s commands. Anyone confused by what is going on in the world today can take solace in the truths found here, for they are applicable and dependable to every department of life! Only here, with our invariable Father-Mother God, do we find oneness with all peoples; and harmony, as we “pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus…” (S&H 497:24)

Thanks again for these words of wisdom!

The testimony that was read during the Sunday service from page 619 of Science and Health was about a mother and her little son; she did not know what to do when the child had a bad case of croup. She read aloud from Science and Health, and then the little boy wanted her to sing. She started singing, and he joined her, healed of croup. It touched my heart and my understanding.

The word of God is quick and powerful! Healing should be the easiest, most natural thing if we get our personal self out of the way. God is right here with us, loving us, caring for us. My experience is the same. One day, I shrugged off listening to the Wednesday meeting in a negative way, and I watched a television show instead. The next day I was very sick! I immediately knew why. I had turned my back on God and shrugged Him off like a piece of junk. God is giving me your Church; it is His gift, and He uses it to bless. Never think less of the Plainfield Church; it is His work and manifestation. Do not allow anything to come in between you and your God!

I'm always glad to hear how widespread our independent Christian Science is becoming. These folks, all around the world, are seeing the beauty of life and the world that God, Christ Jesus, and Mrs. Eddy are teaching us.

If you haven’t watched the YouTube video from Sunday, Feb. 4th, 2024, of Faith, Jon, and Jared singing “When I Found God,” you are in for a treat. Enjoy!

I want to express my appreciation to the Plainfield Christian Science Church, Independent, for stressing the importance of reading the Bible, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy and her other writings. Knowing these books was the foundation of our religion, yet how far the Christian Science movement has drifted off its base. Thank you, Plainfield, for being a place of understanding, clarity of thought, and actions and for guiding me in rebuilding the foundation upon which my practice of Christian Science depends.

I'm very grateful that this year has been one of substantial growth in my understanding of Christian Science. Having recently learned of Plainfield I made a commitment to keep up with all that Plainfield has to offer as part of my Christian Science activities. I listen to their Sunday and Wednesday Services, weekly Roundtables and monthly Bible lessons. I read the Liberator and articles from early workers as well as doing regular unity watches. I have also had the privilege of insightful instruction from a Plainfield practitioner who has pointed out wrong habits of thinking based on personal sense and to focus on God's spiritual qualities and see myself as his reflection. Also to embrace a more expansive sense of gratitude and joy through regular watches. I am more clearly seeing how God's ever presence and omni-action governs all mankind. On a personal level, one issue I used to have is I often heard testimonies of people asking for God's direction and receiving an answer but this never seemed to happen to me until it did recently when God clearly gave me intuitions as to which house to buy. I'm very grateful that God sent Christ Jesus to us to show us the way and to have his example to follow, also to Mary Baker Eddy who worked tirelessly and overcame difficult opposition in order to share her Revelation with us which has blessed my life no end and is blessing the whole world. 

In Doris Grekel’s book The Discovery of the Science of Man, I came across this quote on page 248:

“Letter to Clara Choate-March 1882.

“Shortly after Mrs. Eddy had left them, the students had published in the ‘Lynn Union’ the Resolutions adopted the previous November. Great success in their work followed this public acknowledgment of and affirmation of loyalty to their teacher.”

It immediately reminded me of the effect that the 1943 Mother Church Board of Directors’ public acknowledgment of an affirmation of Mrs. Eddy’s rightful place in Biblical prophecy had, in publishing it in the periodicals and in the leaflet entitled ‘Mrs. Eddy’s Place,’ and the seemingly miraculous effect that this action had on the events, and eventual successful outcome of World War II. Here’s the quote from page 29 of Paul Smillie’s book, In Defense of Mary Baker Eddy and the Remnant of Her Seed about the stand they took:

“When these Six Points were published in the June 5th, 1943 Sentinel, there were six major turning points in World War II which favored the Allies who until that point were losing the war. The truth about these points was seen prior to this time, but it had no great effect on the world until the official position of the Christian Science Board of Directors concerning this issue was declared and published.”

I liken both of these stands on behalf of our beloved Leader to the courageous, unabashed, and spectacular stand that you and the Plainfield Church have now publicly acknowledged and affirmed of your loyalty to our Leader as the Woman in the Apocalypse.

The similarities of these three events are unmistakable, and I rejoice again to be reminded this morning by the statement Mrs. Eddy made in her letter to Clara Choate, that the results of Plainfield’s public stand regarding Mrs. Eddy as the Woman in the Apocalypse are certain to be just as profound, far-reaching, and consequential!

With huge gratitude to Plainfield and everyone here for this invaluable stand you have more publicly taken this past year, and onward into the future, to our dear beloved, forever Leader, Mary Baker Eddy!

Back to the top of the page

Testimonies of Healing

from M. M. in Mississippi

One summer, when I was a teenager, I broke my collarbone while sliding down a water slide at the Jersey shore. My mother, who had recently found Christian Science, called a practitioner to pray for me and told me and my father, who was still a Roman Catholic, that if I didn’t feel better in two days, I could go to the doctor.

After two days I was still in pain, so my mother took me to the doctor. I had an X-ray, and the doctor said that it was broken in two places, but it had already started to heal. He explained to us how lucky I was because it was in perfect position, the way it should be. He did nothing for me, except to give me a brace that I never wore and medication that I tried for a day and stopped taking.

I was never really thankful for this experience or saw God’s work in this until recently, when I read a similar testimony on page 605 in Science and Health called “A Case of Mental Surgery.” It was such a beautiful, comforting feeling, and an example to me that our prayers do work for our loved ones and anybody that we pray for in our world. And most importantly, God is always here for each and every one of us, loving us and protecting us whether we know it or not.

from S. P. in South Dakota

There is much to be grateful for as I consider past experiences, and I am humbly grateful for my stronger awareness of God’s presence in my life and all lives.

My Aunt Mary brought Christian Science to an orphaned young lady, who in working her way through school, became my aunt’s household support for a time. Thus, Christian Science was introduced to a young girl who later became my Mom.

A significant early healing experience for Aunt Mary was one night when she was awakened with an awareness that she needed to pray for her paratrooper son. He was part of a wartime training exercise that was deemed so important that the commanding officers demanded the exercise take place despite problems of darkness and extreme wind conditions. Lionel's parachute failed to open and, given the situation, his comrades were tended to first, after which they were amazed to find that Lionel was conscious and that his only apparent injury was a broken leg. A day or so later, due to swelling condition of the leg, they removed the cast to redo it, but before that took place, an x-ray revealed that the break was healed.

Thank you, Plainfield, for revitalizing my commitment to this Science and for the peace that is mine as I ponder God's nearness.

from Kenya

I am so grateful to one of our Plainfield practitioners for supporting us to know of God's ever-present supply.

Recently a large donor who assisted our Kenyan charity school with funding of larger projects, suddenly informed us that they could no longer help us.

This lovely practitioner assured me that supply always originates in God, not in persons. As Hymn 142 says:

Immortal Love, forever full,

Forever flowing free,

Forever shared, forever whole,

A never ebbing sea.

Through unusual circumstances, a friend, with whom I had not corresponded for some time, introduced us to a Christian Science organization in another country, stating that they could perhaps help us. It appeared that our activities were not normally covered by them. But when they learned that our School had regular Monday School, which is like our Christian Science Sunday School (held on Mondays, as we are a day school), they became very supportive and sent us a large donation.

I am so grateful for this demonstration of God's supply, and for this loving Plainfield practitioner's prayers, for our lovely Plainfield Church, for Christ Jesus and Mrs. Eddy. I am enjoying Bruce's reading of Sibyl Wilbur's biography of Mrs. Eddy, and I am increasingly grateful for Mrs. Eddy's continual self-sacrifice and love for mankind in her giving to us this demonstrable Science of Christianity.

from South Africa

I am writing to you from Cape Town, South Africa. During the hot, dry, windy season in the Western Cape, wildfires are prevalent. They have the potential to spread and be difficult to control.

Fifty miles from Cape Town a wildfire had been burning out of control in the mountains for two days — 95% of a Nature Reserve had been destroyed. Helicopters were scooping up water from the ocean and dumping it on the blaze, all to no avail. The wind changed direction and the flaming inferno, plus black clouds of smoke, fanned by gale force winds, was being swept down from surrounding mountains. It was heading straight for the small town of Pringle Bay. Residents were told to evacuate.

My grandson, who lives in Pringle Bay, phoned and asked me to pray for everyone’s safety and the safety of their homes. Night was falling and the pictures he sent were dreadful. I felt compelled to contact a practitioner for help. She immediately responded and asked me to pray the 91st Psalm with all my heart. I did this and eventually felt a deep calm within my being.

Three busloads of additional fire fighters arrived during the night. They fought the blaze in the dark on the steep mountains. By morning the fire was under control. It has been reported that no deaths had occurred, and the fire stopped a meter from some houses. Residents were allowed to return to their homes.

Words seem totally inadequate to express my deepest thanks for God’s Presence and Power. My sincere gratitude and thanks for practitioner help and the prayers of the Weather Committee. In the words of Psalm 91, our dear Father-Mother God keeps the promise “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him, I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him.”

from Catalonia

Dear brothers and sisters of Plainfield,

My life has been deeply shaken, and still is, since I found Plainfield some years ago. Thanks to the prayers of my practitioner supporting my honest desire to come back home to the Father's house, I'm finding the way to the upper chamber, the One consciousness where only goodness and love reign.

I can see that God is at the wheel of my life in many ways, even in the midst of much turmoil. Although the way is rugged, today my heart feels so grateful and amazed at the response to my call for rain to the Weather Committee in Plainfield three weeks ago, that I can only give my testimony of gratitude. They immediately responded, sending me some of the prayers they were using. The beautiful Hymn 224 and “Love's rain blesses and animal magnetism cannot interrupt it.”

The skies continued clear blue for another few days, until that night when a brief and gentle rain fell. I let the committee know the blessing that this rain meant, and asked to continue their prayers. This night the rain came again, gentle and little but steady. This rain that in Catalan we call “la xim xim” is a blessing for the earth, for the trees and for all nature.

I can only express my deep gratitude, and marvel at what the conscious unity with God, good, can do. This has given me a boost to keep on praying, and trusting with all my heart that the Kingdom of God is here, now. We have only to recognize it, be grateful and negate our mortal self, so God can manifest Him/Herself through the Christ in us, in all His/Her glory.

God bless you all!

Que Déu us beneeixi!

from K. E. in Washington

We were at my son’s house for Thanksgiving. All of a sudden, I felt very lightheaded, and it scared me. Then an extreme fear came over me, and I lost control of my whole body. I quickly turned my thought to God, because I knew in what direction the other thoughts were taking me, and it wasn’t good.

As I turned to God, angel messages kept coming to me. I knew I couldn’t fear this because if I believe these symptoms as real or caused by something material or caused by a false suggestion, then I would be believing in a power apart from God. So it came to me to stay in the Ark, and it's okay to ask for help. I managed somehow to keep grasp of my phone. Miraculously my Practitioner’s phone number was on my phone screen ready to call. I managed to find the call button and say something. The practitioner heard my message and began to work right away.

My husband asked me if he could call 911, I said no. I knew all I was dealing with was God, the only presence, the only Mind of everyone there. I remembered I needed to be grateful and praise God first. I was thinking, what could I be grateful for right now? I was very grateful my husband was calm, and respected my Christian Science way of life, and even in that serious situation he would go along with what I wanted. I knew I was safe no matter where I was because I was in Love’s care always.

To allay my son’s fears, I consented for them to call an ambulance. I stayed firm in my thought that no way was I going to choose a power apart from God, no matter what it threw at me.

By the time I was in the hospital I felt a little better and could start moving my limbs a little and speaking better. They did a lot of tests, and I refused any meds offered. I knew I didn’t need any. Pretty soon the ill feelings were quickly subsiding. I knew I still had to stay in the Ark though. I knew the only true x-rays or scans are in Genesis Chapter one, "And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good." They can only see good; they can only see what God sees. He's the only Mind, their mind, and right then, I could open my eyes. I could see clearly, and I felt fine. I could move perfectly fine. They couldn't find anything wrong. All the tests came back good. They weren't sure why, but I was. There is no other cause or anything in control but God. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," is what I held to. To my son’s bewilderment, I got myself dressed and I walked out of the hospital well.

I learned at Plainfield if you start feeling better don’t stop there. Don't relax! Don't leave a way for error to get in. Don’t fear, rebuke, stay with God’s allness, get the lesson, get the blessing, stay in the Ark, and never come out. Staying in the Ark, staying conscious of God’s all-presence and all-power, was my protection, and being grateful no matter what the picture presented, was a good Thanksgiving lesson.

Back to the top of the page

Announcements

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

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

Our Website

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

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

YouTube Channel

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

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

YouTube.com/PlainfieldCS

Our Church Publications

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

Newsletter

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

Books by Early Workers in Christian Science

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

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

Church Membership

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

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

Websites in Other Languages

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Back to the top of the page

Tenets of Christian Science

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”