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 Third Commandment

Christian Science Journal, September 1926

“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” (Ex. 20:7)

The generally accepted understanding of this commandment is that it prohibits the use of profanity.

This it undoubtedly does; but entire obedience to the Third Commandment involves much more.

What is it to take God’s name “in vain” or vainly? Is it not to admit or to believe that God’s name, God’s allness and almightiness, can sometimes be taken or declared in vain, or uselessly? When the Word of God goes forth, as for instance in a Christian Science treatment, it goes forth with power and effect, not vainly and without result!

To believe in any other creator is to take the name of God in vain. To believe in any other cause is to dishonor the name of Him who in the beginning “spake, and it was done.” To believe in an intelligence apart from God, or, in other words, to believe in or admit an evil mind or intelligence, is to have other gods “before me,” thus breaking the First Commandment as well as the third. God is the only power; hence to give power to error of any sort is to take God’s name “in vain.”

To rise superior to suggestions of error, and to keep the name of God from profanation is our duty and privilege. This requires tireless effort. That it not only can be done, but must be done, is clearly evident from the manner in which this third commandment ends. The stern simplicity of its unqualified language should be enough to startle thought out of its mesmeric sleep: “For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”

Christian Science Journal, January 1927

To everyone, obedience to the Ten Commandments should both guide and guard. Mankind has been commanded to obey them, not for God’s sake, but because obedience opens consciousness to the blessings which God’s love bestows upon men. Obedience to the Ten Commandments helps us to solve the problems of human existence, guiding thought to the understanding of man’s at-one-ment with God. They stand for moral uprightness, and bestow freedom and security. As thought ascends from the material to the spiritual, they continue to lead into constantly higher and purer modes of thinking and living, guiding “out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”

No one of the Commandments means more to the advancing student of Christian Science than the third. At first it may seem to demand little more than abstinence from profanity; but obedience will mean much more. It will bring about a self-respect, as well as respect for God, along with a desire for purified living in every detail of human affairs.

As the desire awakens to call one’s self a Christian, one realizes that his necessity is to follow and emulate the divine precepts which the master Christian lived and taught. Then one realizes that he does, indeed, “take the name of the Lord ... in vain” when he fails to present to the world a life which measures up to the standards his great Exemplar set. Still later, it becomes a command to “worship him [God] in spirit and in truth,” never permitting mere words to pass the lips in song, prayer, or sermon, before entering into the closet — the consciousness of God’s presence — and communing with the Father “which is in secret.” And yet later still, as the Christian Scientist reads the command, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain," it becomes to him a definite commandment for healing.

A dictionary defines the terms “vain” and “in vain" in part as “unproductive," “to no purpose,” that is, “without effect.” He who turns to the Father in every instance will not be guilty of words without works; for the promise is contained in the Scriptures: “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” To seek God first is to endeavor to purify thought until Truth becomes apparent and erroneous beliefs appear unreal. Then it is that healing takes place. In proportion to his obedience and prayerful honesty will the journey lead to harmony, heaven.

Christian Science Sentinel, July 9, 1921

The man in the street probably imagines that taking the name of God in vain is a mere matter of bad language. He would sum it up in a question of blasphemy. As a matter of fact, the idea of blasphemy is included in what Christ Jesus said of the term “raca,” which means a “worthless fellow; a term of contempt,” probably a common expletive of the fishermen and shepherds around him.

Jesus’ example was admirable for his purpose; he took the word “raca,” the use of which had been forbidden by the Sanhedrin, and pointed out to his listeners that anyone who was heard saying it would be in danger of the council — the council of this same Sanhedrin. But, he went on to declare, anybody who said “Thou fool!” to his neighbor was in danger of hell fire itself! What Jesus was pointing out was that the selection of some definite word as a sort of test of blasphemy was ridiculous. Blasphemy was not contained in a word, but in the mental intent. The use of “raca” as a mere common expletive — more as a habit than anything else — was as nothing compared to the malice concentrated in the exclamation “Thou fool!”

The taking of the name of God in vain is equivalent to making nothing of Principle itself, and it gains in wickedness according to the intent. Any effort to belittle Principle constitutes blasphemy, and that is why it is so essential to the individual to guard his own thoughts.

Words, after all, are a minor issue. They are the result of thought. “For out of the heart,” Jesus said, “proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: these are the things which defile a man.” Jesus was speaking of the various Jewish customs, with the various Jewish precautions against defilement, and was pointing out that the mere failure to wash the hands before eating was not a true cause of defilement. As a matter of fact, it was very much on a par with the use of the word “raca.” It was the washing of the outside of the platter while letting the inside go dirty. Real defilement, he insisted, was what came out of the heart of man. It is easy to see, then, why Mrs. Eddy wrote, “Stand porter at the door of thought.” (S&H p. 392) It is absolutely essential to man’s progress in any way that he should take this advice.

The human being is nothing more nor less than the product of hypnotic suggestion, and the only thing which at any time saves him from himself by causing him to struggle to put off the old man with his works, and to put on the new man, is the eternal fact of his actual spiritual reality which can never be hidden or destroyed. Therefore, a man standing porter at the door of thought is battling with the perpetual stream of hypnotic suggestion, that is endeavoring to pass into his consciousness, and striving to accept nothing but spiritual Truth. Ultimately, then, it comes to this, that every suggestion of animal magnetism, every idea that is not spiritual, is taking the name of Principle in vain.

As a consequence, the man who attempts to keep the Third Commandment must live in the perpetual effort to stand porter at the door of thought so as to reject, as far as he may, every suggestion of mortal mind which tells him anything exists but the image and likeness of God.

All the mistakes which are made humanly originate from taking an unscientific standpoint. The idea of dualism is so firmly fixed in the human mind that it is almost impossible for it to free itself, without a long and terrific effort to think in terms of absolute metaphysics. In the proportion in which this habit of thought is acquired, a man stands porter, more and more successfully, at the door of thought. And as he does this, the volume of blasphemies which have daily passed unsuspected under his eyes, is

gradually dammed, and he begins to find his whole outlook changing as he realizes that by submitting to the control of Truth, he becomes the architect of his own harmonious future.

Christian Science Journal, June 1910

Truth is radical, authoritative, absolute. It proceeds from eternal, divine Principle. Truth annihilates error and corrects and reforms human thinking and actions.

The God of Abraham and Moses was “holy,” and the children of Israel had been shown how they might be “perfect with the Lord;” but they rejected the commandment of God, that they might keep their own tradition, “making the word of God of none effect,” through their tradition.

There seems to be a false law in human consciousness which causes men to vilify their prophets. Jesus administered the most stinging rebuke to the Pharisees and scribes, who identified themselves with Abraham’s religion without having its spirit. He said, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!”

The Master proclaimed, with the authority of spiritual insight and grace, the “word of God,” for which human will would always flaunt its substitute. He had an infinitely clearer understanding of the God who is Truth and Love than either Abraham or Moses claimed to have, for he was the prophet Moses had declared would come after him, who should declare the truth in its entirety.

And then the human will and pride of the scribes and Pharisees, which was usurping the authority of the word of God of the previous dispensation, was enraged at the superior authority of Jesus, who rebuked it both in word and deed. His youth was spent in pondering the things of God, and even at the age of twelve the earnest lad was about his Father’s business. The Galilean boy was admired and loved, but, as the mature leader, he became a menace to the rule of the scribes and Pharisees.

The attitude of sincere love and spiritual understanding which the Master brought to every situation was far removed from the self-righteousness and critical conventionality of his opponents. Their opinions were readymade, handed-down, professional. His convictions were the result of an inner perception, the outcome of his earnest preparation for a consecrated career. His impetuous aspiration broke through encrusted complacency, and mortal sense rebelled at the jolt. He was therefore pronounced an enemy. But Truth will rebuke error in every age, and the denunciation of material sense by prophet and seer is only the logical outcome of spiritual quickening.

Today the world nominally accepts the government of Christ Jesus, but human will rebels as ever against the rule of Truth and Love. The world’s philosophies of today, like those of the time of Jesus, pay little regard to the high simplicity and many of the imperative demands of the Master’s teachings. Hence the rejection of Christian Science by the “authorities,” though it is identified with the word which he preached. But Truth is yet more radical, it cannot compromise with the world’s standards.

The Nazarene smote tradition and ceremony with the sword of Spirit. His theology was, Thou shalt love God supremely; his ethics, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself; his economics, Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s; his medicine was divine Mind, for he said, “Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee: or to say, Rise up and walk?” making sin a condition of disease.

His help in every need was the God-mind or Truth to which he ever turned. His at-one-ment with this perfect Mind gave him clear sight to point out the contradictions in human consciousness, and enabled him to overlook or overleap psychology. People were not merely “interesting” to Jesus. He loved them, and that love looked deeper than the psychology of the person, — yes, down into his very heart, and started him on the road to the ideal. His days were spent in the joyous atmosphere of Love.

Christian Science is no unnatural thing. It came humbly and it grows naturally. It voices law, the law of Truth. Christian Scientists are endeavoring, with what understanding they have, to follow Christ

Jesus’ teachings in their simplicity. Here is where they feel called to obey the command “Come out from among them, and be ye separate,” — apart from the world’s methods. They regard the acceptance of dogma, the confession of faith, and the repetition of fine phrases as insufficient. It is the loving attitude and activity, the healing consciousness that they are striving for. Jesus certainly was always ready with the healing word, and this was because he always sought first the kingdom of God.

The key to every human tragedy and the corner-stone of religion are spiritual understanding and loving-kindness. Without these the mere technicalities and letter of Christian Science are next to valueless. And without sacrifice this understanding and loving-kindness can hardly be attained. Mary Baker Eddy ever exhorts us to pray importunately for fulness of love, compassion, mercy, and wisdom; and in Pulpit and Press (p. 22) she says: “If the lives of Christian Scientists attest their fidelity to Truth, I predict that in the twentieth century every Christian church in our land, and a few in far-off lands, will approximate the understanding of Christian Science sufficiently to heal the sick in his name. Christ will give to Christianity his new name, and Christendom will be classified as Christian Scientists.”

Surely, if we strive to follow the spirit of Christ Jesus’ teachings, and learn how to love as he loved, the law of mortal mind that history must repeat itself will be broken, for the whole world will become not nominally Christian, but actually and intensely so, and the prophecy will be fulfilled, “They shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest,” and the everlasting firmament will appear.

The intact First Church of Christ, Scientist is framed through the ruins of St. Mark's Episcopal Church next door, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Altadena, Calif.

Among the thousands of buildings destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires were a mosque, a synagogue, a Catholic parish and a half-dozen Protestant churches. Many members of these congregations were among the thousands of Angelenos who lost their homes. As the threat of new fires persisted, clergy were left with the huge challenges of offering comfort and pondering paths toward rebuilding and recovery. At a synagogue in Pasadena, the cantor and three companions were able to rescue the sacred Torah scrolls before flames engulfed the building. A Protestant congregation in Altadena posted images of their church burning down, with this message: “WE are the church! We can worship anywhere.”

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Items By and About Mary Baker Eddy

Christian Science Journal, Vol. V, p. 55 (1887),

Course of Divinity and General Collectanea, pages 147-148

What should be the voices of Spring in the human heart? Resurrected and purified desires; praise, for man’s ability to seek and find the Kingdom of Heaven here — the reign of harmony that furnishes glimpses of the great Source whence cometh all earth’s beautiful hieroglyphs of Love; joy, that human character may be stately as the cedars of Lebanon, and Truth thrive like the willows by the water- courses; humility, bowing down before His goodness, and peering through mortal mind; industry, arranging with beauty each budding thought as it puts forth new glories; higher aspirations and purer pleasures, which give spiritual energy and power to work for man and in obedience to God.

Has the Springtide brought this harvest to the human heart, putting on only costly wardrobes, gained in seasons of toil, defeat, and triumph? Are Christian Scientists as faithful as the seasons, birds and flowers? Do they challenge mankind as sweetly to flock to the Springtide of God’s omnipotence, His power to heal and save?

Will they sing in the storm? If buds of hope disclose scarcely one blossom, and birds are silent, will they yet wait and work, till the latent elements of harmonious being control earth’s cold and heat, sunshine and shadow, and the heart’s seedling and germ spring into freedom and greatness?

Miscellaneous Documents Relating to Christian Science, p.182-183

Early in the month of April, Mrs. Eddy came to Boston and received a warm welcome from all her students who rejoiced to have their dear Leader and teacher with them again. She and her husband, Dr. Asa G. Eddy, stopped at the Parker House in Boston until a suitable place could be found for the Massachusetts Metaphysical College, which was chartered in 1881.

One day as I was returning from a call on a patient, I could not dismiss the thought that there was a need for me to see Mrs. Eddy. I told Mrs. Whiting, and she said, “If I felt that way, I would go to her by all means.” This I did, and when she opened the door to let me in, she said, “You are just the one I want to see,” and that she wanted Mrs. W. and myself to go with her to the College. This came as a great surprise and seemed almost too much for me. I felt my unworthiness and replied, “I do not know as I am equal to filling that place.” But my desire was to be of the greatest service possible to her and the Cause, so I said I would do the best I could. I felt it was a great privilege, but I also saw there were great responsibilities. However, I was reassured by her talk with me and when I returned home to Mrs. Whiting, we were both filled with joy to know we could be with our dear teacher and be of such service to her and the Cause of Christian Science. We then made arrangements to discontinue our work in Charlestown. It was in April, 1882, that we entered the College with Mrs. Eddy at 569 Columbus Avenue, Boston, and the next year moved to 571.

Mrs. Eddy’s time was filled with the great work which lay before her — in teaching, conducting Sunday services, Friday night meetings, writing, receiving callers, and many other duties connected with the Cause, and Dr. Eddy was constantly of assistance to her. Aside from him there were Hanover P. Smith, Mrs. Whiting, myself, and one other. It was arranged that I should have a large, pleasant room opposite hers where she could call upon me at any time for assistance, and I endeavored to be alert in finding ways and means to help in the progress of the work, and many were the needs that continually unfolded to us.

One day, when having a talk with her concerning the work, she mentioned something that should be done which was of great importance to the Cause, but she said she did not see how we could do any more. I thought a moment, then said, “I think I can do it.” I can now see her beautiful face as she looked at me so earnestly and said, “No, I think you are already doing all you can.” Her dear love would not let me undertake more, although I would have been so glad to.

There were so many pressing needs and so few to meet them that the moments were precious. There was work to be done at all hours, but it was a privilege and a great happiness to in any measure lighten the burden of the one we loved and to be instrumental in laying the foundation of a great work in truth which was to be the saving of the nations.

Christian Science Sentinel, May 16, 1908

Dainty harbinger of spring,

Pure and pale and pink and sweet,

How your myriad voices sing

From the moss beneath my feet.

Do they only hymn the praise

Of their coverlet of snow?

Of the slowly lengthening days?

Of the southern winds that blow?

Do they not, too, prove the plan

Of the master Mind above?

That the coldest heart of man

Warms and blooms at touch of love?

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History Corner

The history of the Pilgrims should be remembered. Let it be recalled that they left Europe and came to America for the purpose of worshipping God as a matter of conscience instead of in compliance to the dictatorial demands and dogma of oppressive ecclesiastical authorities. This was in 1620.

Apparently the spiritual signification and influence of their example was held in reverence for some time thereafter. In the 1880s a solid granite monument was built in Plymouth, Massachusetts, by a grateful people remembering their labors, sacrifices, and sufferings for the cause of civil and religious liberty. Included on the monument is inscribed a statement by William Bradford, a governor of the

Pilgrims, which reads, “Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand that made all things of nothing and gives being to all things that are. And as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone unto many, yea in some sort to our whole nation. Let the glorious name of Jehovah have all the praise.”

In contrast, the Massachusetts Bay colony started nine years after the Pilgrims’ arrival in the area now known as Boston. However, they brought with them the organized church of England, together with all of its creeds, doctrines, and dogma, with the intent to impose them upon the people. Naturally some could not comply so they left. Some went south and started Providence, Rhode Island. Others went elsewhere. Among those who went west and settled in New Hampshire were the forebears of Mary Baker Eddy, who sought to worship God in the clarity of conscience and not in compliance to the dictates of those who claimed authority. So in such circumstances arose the conviction that there is a science to Christianity, and that it may be known, that its influence can be had to the betterment of individuals and society; that the ultimate freedom from sin, disease, and death as children of God could be experienced.

Today we are all better for what those pioneers who went before us did, braving the opposition, and holding to their convictions. Today we live in an age where our inalienable rights are cherished. May we live so as to prove our love and devotion to the right ideal. Thank you, God, for raising up our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, who founded and established Christian Science.

Venerable Founder of the Body Has a Large Audience
Party of Bostonians Go By Special Train to Attend Service

The Boston Globe, Mon, Feb. 28, 1898

Concord NH. Feb. 27 — Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christian Science, visited her church here today, at the usual hour for services, and delivered an address that extended over three-quarters of an hour.

Before speaking she read the 91st Psalm which she denominated the pearl of the psalter. She announced as her subject, “Not Matter, but Mind,” and said the way it is found was, first, by the knowledge of God, and second, by the understanding of God.

The audience listened with great attention during the whole address, which was delivered extemporaneously, with vigor and rare eloquence. The church was entirely filled before the time for service, and many were unable to find even standing room.

Mrs. Eddy is in remarkably good health, and read from the scriptures without the use of glasses.

A large party of Christian Scientists came here from Boston by special train to attend the services.

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Interesting Squibs

In the divine Mind, the only times and seasons are those of the constant unfolding of infinite good.

We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience.

Our real inheritance, as the perfect children of God, is dominion over all things.

You cannot expect to build moral character in this world, until you learn who God is, and come to trust and love, and not to fear Him.

In a world where you can be anything, be yourself.

The whole secret to a perfect, joyous occupation, is to let the one Mind be our Mind.

Every good thought, word, and deed lays up treasure in heaven.

It is the very nature of Life to function incessantly and uninterruptedly.

No matter how many times a lie may be repeated,it never can become true, but Truth stands and is wholly unaffected by the lie.

Happiness and moral duty are inseparably connected.

We should work with the hands of Martha, but yet keep near the Master with the heart of Mary; we want a combination of activity and meditation.

Failures are but waymarks in the road to success.

Difficulties and conflicts, if wisely met, serve to develop capacities.

The only law there is for you is the law of recovery.

Today’s obedience will care for tomorrow.

Anger does a man more hurt than that which made him angry.

Those who always pray are necessary to those who never pray.

The study of the Bible is a post-graduate course in the richest library of human experience.

There can never come a time when God’s man can or must go downhill; onward and upward through all eternity his way must be.

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Plainfield Church Roundtable Discussion

Painting by Dale A. from VA

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)

Submitted by Nancy Stein

The 1828 Webster’s Dictionary says that “to lead” is to guide by the hand; as, to lead a child — the sense of drawing one along, as well as of directing. To guide or conduct by showing the way.

In Unity of Good Mrs. Eddy writes, “‘The way,’ in Spirit, is ‘the way’ of Life, Truth, and Love, redeeming us from the false sense of the flesh and the wounds it bears.” (Un. p. 55)

In Matthew Poole commentary it says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God.” This does not say, as many as live by the Spirit, but, as are led by the Spirit; to show that the Spirit must be the guide and ruler of our lives, as the pilot is of the ship, and as a rider is of his horse. The phrase is borrowed either from those who are guided and directed as a blind man in his way; or from those who, wanting strength of their own, are borne and carried of others: so we are both ways led by the Spirit, for we can neither see our way, unless the Spirit directs us; nor have we strength to walk in it, unless the Spirit assists and draws us along. The Spirit leads and draws us irresistibly and necessarily, and yet not violently or against our wills; though we were unwilling before, yet we are made willing afterwards; so willing, that we desire and pray to be led by the Spirit.

Benson commentary reads: “For as many as are led, guided and governed, by the Spirit of God — As a Spirit of truth and grace, of wisdom and holiness; they are the sons of God — That is, they stand related to God, not merely as subjects to their king, or servants to their master, but as children to their father; they are unspeakably near and dear to God, being spiritually begotten of him, and partaking of his nature.”

The thought of being led by the spirit, led by the hand, as by a loving father — not merely to live in the spirit but to be led by the spirit. Am I being led as a little child? Let’s think about that during the day.

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63

The definition of “quicken” is: to make alive, to revive, to resuscitate, to make alive in a spiritual sense, to communicate a principle of grace, revive, cheer, reinvigorate, refresh by new supplies of comfort and grace.

Christian Science Sentinel, July 13, 1907

Paul gives us a sweet but imperative promise when he says, “If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

Quicken. What a strong, reliable word! It means to resuscitate, to revive, to refresh, to reinvigorate, to make alive, to stimulate. What greater blessing could we ask when sick, than to have our bodies quickened, refreshed, stimulated, by simply dwelling in the consciousness of Spirit, God.

Paul knew whereof he spake. He did not refer to material remedies for the sick but, through that simple, clear, concise statement he said, in language pulsing with life and meaning, If you are sick and want to be revived or stimulated, go to God and dwell in His consciousness. Jesus said, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing;” and Paul said, “They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh.”

Here again we see the wisdom of Paul in his choice of the word “crucified,” which means to subdue completely, destroy the power or ruling influence.

If we are Christ’s, we dwell in the consciousness of God, good, as he did; where we can subdue the supposed power of our bodies, thus presenting them a living sacrifice.

To me, one of the clearest, most concise statements which our dear Leader has given us, is found on page 269 of our textbook: “Metaphysics resolves things into thoughts, and exchanges the objects of sense for the ideas of Soul.”

When material sense, which is always wrong, tells us our bodies are sick, instead of looking upon them as matter, inflamed and diseased, let us accept the above statement, and immediately resolve it into a false concept. Then go far enough to know that this falsity cannot abide in the presence of Truth, and we shall speedily find ourselves free from the yoke of bondage. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

How often, Lord, I’ve heard myself exclaim,

“O that I could but call upon Your name

In such a faith that some great wrong would flee,

Thus work a mighty wonder for men to see!”

Yet there is opportunity each hour

Some selfish act to check, some ill deny,

Some sin to quench or fear to pacify.

These are the wrongs demanding Spirit’s force;

The greater works will follow in their course.

If these be done in love and faithfulness,

Then I shall not have failed to heal and bless.

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From the Early Workers

Christian Science Journal, January 1926

What consolation, as the old year passes away and the new is ushered in, to know with great assurance that, as Mary Baker Eddy writes, “Being is immortal,” that all that is real is permanent, eternal! (S&H p. 554)

Now, Christian Science does not tolerate its students dwelling dolefully in thought on the sorrows or afflictions of the past. It teaches that good alone is worthy of contemplation, and that if thought should be focused at any time on the ills of human existence, it should only be that some lesson might be learned. Breaking away from the illusions of mortal material sense, Christian Science brings to light the wonders of the creative Principle, God, and reveals the immortality, the eternality, of that divine Principle and its perfect creation.

These wonderful truths which Christian Science has brought to light are of inestimable value to all who even in a limited degree grasp their meaning. Why? Because they empower them to distinguish between the real and the unreal, and to reject the latter. What a relief to be saved from the doubts, the misgivings, the questionings of the so-called human mind!

Assured as he is of the truth that God is absolutely fixed and perfect Principle, and that real being is indissolubly one with this Principle, the Christian Scientist understands all that is mortal is but temporary illusion, and is not dismayed by it. And when to mortal sense he may seem to come under any belief of the “carnal material mentality, misnamed mind” (S&H p. 292), he strives to hold before his thought the truths of immortal being, knowing that as he does so faithfully, he will gain the mastery and the victory over the false belief.

Sometimes the student of Christian Science may seem to feel the burden heavy to bear as he encounters the lies of mortal mind and combats them with the truth — and every obedient and loyal student encounters these lies, because they seem to be indigenous to human existence. It will depend on his steadfastness to Principle whether or not he is wounded in the fray. If the student can rise to the realization of the allness of God and of the perfection and immortal nature of God’s creation, then he will not suffer. The errors of material sense must always go down before spiritual understanding; and he who is equipped with this understanding need fear no foe.

Mrs. Eddy says, “As soldiers of the cross we must be brave, and let Science declare the immortal status of man, and deny the evidence of the material senses, which testify that man dies.” (Un. p. 39) What a heroic ring there is in her words! What spiritual understanding is behind them!

May we all take them with us into the New Year, and by means of the truth they embody, strive to counteract every attempt of mortal mind to convince us that man is not immortal. By so doing not only shall we protect ourselves, but we shall also be doing much to save our fellow-man from the erroneous beliefs of the carnal mind which seem to be always pleading for mortality. We must be courageous. Christian Science has placed the sword of Truth, the sword of Spirit, in the hands of Christian Scientists. May we wield it fearlessly and adroitly throughout the year!

Christian Science Sentinel, May 23, 1925

There are two words which would be helpful to understand, if we would progress in Christian Science. They are “know” and “let.” To know the omnipotence and omnipresence of God and the nothingness of evil, and then let Truth do the work, is true wisdom.

A lesson was learned while sitting in a darkened room, with the shades drawn. But just outside the window, the sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the trees and flowers were beautiful. All that separated that room from the beauty and loveliness outside was a shade. Pulling on the shade and then letting go, immediately the room was flooded with sunshine.

So it is with many of our problems. We work and work on them, and sometimes wonder why the problems are not solved. It may not be because the work we have done is not correct, — and surely Truth has not failed, — nor because there is not health, happiness, and an abundance of good ever present, but simply because we have not let go of the false belief, or the shade. All the goodness, peace, and joy that any of us could possibly need is here for us; and it is only material sense that would seem to deprive us of the blessings which are rightfully ours as God’s children. Knowing the power of God, let us rise superior to the testimony of material sense, which seems to be darkening our consciousness, and let the sunshine of Truth and Love flow in. Let us trust God, for He never fails.

If we seem to have been battling with what claims to be a “big” problem, let not our hearts be troubled or afraid, because there is no problem too great for God to solve. God made man free. Therefore, it is our divine right to be free from every discordant condition; for there is no power that can hold us in subjection. God has already given man all, and man is in the conscious possession of that all, — namely, all good. Let us realize that “power belongeth unto God;” and that, as Mrs. Eddy says “No power can withstand divine Love.” (S&H p. 224) God never gave evil power to make man sick or sinful, or to make him yield to it. Error is nothing; it always has been nothing; it always will be nothing. When we understand the allness of God, good, we shall know that where error claims to be, in that very place is God’s perfect idea, governed, controlled, sustained, and maintained by divine Mind.

When we know the true way to solve any problem, whether it be one of sin, sickness, sorrow, or death, we need not be afraid that Truth will fail; for Truth is God. And as it is written in Hebrews, “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Mrs. Eddy says, “Your true course is to destroy the foe, and leave the field to God, Life, Truth, and Love, remembering that God and His ideas alone are real and harmonious.” (S&H p. 419) Let us first be sure to “destroy the foe,” the false claim of evil, and then leave the field entirely to God. We all have our part to do; and when we have done it, we can with complete confidence in God leave the rest with Him. For divine Love says, I “will not fail thee, nor forsake thee;” and Jesus has said, “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Our part is the “knowing”; Truth’s part is the making free. So “let” it!

Christian Science Sentinel, April 12, 1919

We are quite familiar with the words of the psalmist when he said, “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.” Why twice? Perhaps because it is necessary for human beings to deny the claim that evil is power, as well as to understand and ascertain that good is power.

This is the fact, however, — that Mind, intelligence, only is power, and that which resists is always overcome. To comprehend that evil is not actual power but only a phase of resistance to good, and that it is never positive but always negative—being mindlessness, non-intelligence, stupidity, barbarism — is to understand its temporary nature and ultimate dismissal into nothingness. Prophecy marches on to its fulfillment, “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”

Amid the confusions and semi-successes of evil minds it may not always be easy to see that Mind is power, but this is nevertheless the fact. Furthermore, as our textbook says, “Every mortal at some period, here or hereafter, must grapple with and overcome the mortal belief in a power opposed to God.” (S&H p. 569).

Earnest and noble men are trying to learn the way of Mind and to obey its inspiration in linking the

nations of the world together for high purpose and right action. It is well, then, for every thinker to assure himself that where Mind is, there might is. “The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.” The noise of tongues, the clamor of mortal mind, the utterance of its jealousies, hates, lusts, fears, animosities, and evil purpose may seem to indicate power, since this sort of opposition rises against all good work; but good work goes on irresistibly. God acts; who can resist finally?

Evil-minded men and ignorant victims, that is, satans and fools, may oppose and accuse the righteous. They may traduce and resist every good work. They may poison the wells of information and make many suffer, but their doom is certain. The wise man said, "Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow."

Christian Science has made thinkers; it publishes truth; it illumines the way of righteousness. It fulfills that prophecy found in Isaiah which says, “An highway shall be there and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness;” and the proof that is perpetually given is the proof of healing. Mrs. Eddy says, “Mind transcends all other power, and will ultimately supersede all other means in healing.” (S&H, p.483) In consequence of what they know, Christian Scientists do not lose hope or peace or faith or love, though the strife of tongues be great, though multitudes in the earth set themselves up against Christianity and proclaim Chaos. Christian Scientists know that God is creator. They know that Mind is power. So many times have they seen the power of good overcome the resistance of evil, they know with certainty that, even as sunlight dismisses the valley mists when its glory rises over the mountains, so shall the time come when metaphysically there will be no need of the light of the sun, for God’s presence shall be the light and the warmth and the comfort for all. “And there shall be no more curse.... And there shall be no night there... for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”

Christian Science Sentinel, February 17, 1917

There can be no doubt that the world is heartily tired of war’s hatreds, barbarities, and sufferings, and that there is today a genuine desire for peace.

What human means are necessary to be established in the working out of these problems is still uncertain, so uncertain in fact that those who really are looking for results are beginning to turn away from human will with its alleged power, and are looking to God, who is divine power. If a precedent for this course of action is needed, we have but to turn to that challenge to obedience to divine law promulgated centuries ago: “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”

The words of the well known writer, H. G. Wells, in his recent article dealing with the possibility of a peace which shall lead to the end of all war, writes as follows: —

Saturday Evening Post

All the great religions assert the same truth — that there is but one God for all men, and that He alone is King of the world.

Yet, forthwith they set about hiding and smothering Him and forgetting their own mission in sectarian and national wrappings. But God is indeed the rightful King of the world; He is the God of the Englishman and the Frenchman, the Turk and the German, the Hindu and the American; He calls them all to serve Him and one another. They have but to look up, and they will see Him. And until they do look up and see Him this world is no better than a rat pit — a place slippery and disgusting and wearisome with the tormented stuff of furious and aimless lives.

Here indeed is a great saying, and it sets forth a great truth, for until peace is established on the basis

of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, there can be no real and lasting peace. To the world in general these views may seem fanciful, but this should not be so, and especially to Christian Science, which declares for the omnipotence of good, namely, that “all is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all.” (S&H, p. 468)

How long it will be before such a peace is possible — what time will be necessary for the beliefs of mortal mind to be destroyed, its beliefs of greed, hatred, and inhumanity — no man can say, but real peace is both possible and inevitable when humanity accepts God not only as a fact, but as the only great fact of the universe, the supreme ruler, the King of kings.

Christian Science Journal, March 1888

“Why are things thus?” is one of the questions put to one another by people every day. Well, can you tell? No? Then let me try.

Things are thus, because such is the eternal will of what Matthew Arnold calls “the Power above that makes for righteousness.” There can be no satisfaction with the world or the universe, no comfort in the outcomings of each day, no belief that “Whatsoever is, is right,” unless there is also belief in the power of the Infinite God, belief that He is All, and that without Him — His will, His affection, His ordering — nothing can take place, but that “all things work together for good to them who love God.”

But remember, this promise is not to the unloving, not to those who fail to appreciate the divine power and presence. Because God so wills, things are as they are. This means that they are so ordained in love, in freedom, in good-will, in mercy, in a divine desire for the greatest good of the greatest number, — that is, of all mankind. It follows that “from seeming evil, still educing good,” is the heavenly employ, that what is called darkness is only so in name. “Evil is good a’ making,” says an old proverb. “Hell (what men call Hell) is Heaven a’ making,” adds a modern preacher.

Looking at the world from this standpoint of Good, it can be seen plainly that there is really no evil, no error, no wrong, no hell, no sin, no darkness, no disease, no death, because the things so called are but different facets of a diamond in which there is no darkness, but endless light.

An accomplished scholar has defined dirt as “matter out of place.” What we sweep from our houses is not accounted unclean out-of-doors. Ill-smelling waste is made over into dainty perfumes. So matter is never in its place till it vanishes, leaving only the sweet odors of Spirit. Man is sinful when out of place. In place,—in Divine Soul, wherein he was created,—man is truly at home.

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Current Articles

Every day, we seem to be bombarded with disturbing news. Here at Plainfield, we are taught to counteract that by beginning each day by affirming that God is Mind. God is my Mind. God is the only pure and perfect Mind. This practice each morning reminds us that the Christ-consciousness is our consciousness. As Bicknell Young wrote: “When persons and things in the so-called outer world no longer disturb us, no longer set up within us a sense of hate, fear, or love, then we are approaching the universal sense of Love and Life and Truth, which constitutes Christ-consciousness.”

But how do we keep this Christ-consciousness throughout the day? The same way Jesus did. Henry Drummond wrote: "Jesus’ life, outwardly, was one of the most troubled lives that was ever lived. Tempest and tumult, tumult and tempest, — the waves breaking over it all the time. But the inner life was a sea of glass. The great calm was always there. At any moment you might have gone to Him and found rest."

The Christ-consciousness is the clear sense and calm trust in the Allness of God, Good, and consequent nothingness of anything else. If Jesus only felt that inner sea of glass — whether sailing on a stormy sea while the other passengers panicked, confronted by an angry mob, or faced with his own crucifixion — so can we.

I had a wonderful healing decades ago on a small plane about to fly through lightning storms over a mountain range at night. The pilot told us we were in for a very bumpy ride. I had been going through a period of being fearful about flying. So, I was already reading my Christian Science Lesson, which happened to contain that story of Jesus in the storm. When I looked down after the announcement, this section leapt off the page: His disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

I could almost hear Jesus saying, Why on earth are ye fearful? Haven't I shown you over and over again what the Christ-consciousness is? Are you ever going to get it? I remember thinking, with all they experienced as Jesus’ disciples, why didn't they get it? At which point I thought, With all you've experienced through the healing power of the Science of Christ, why don't you get it? That made me laugh. We took off, and I could see the lightning and storm clouds over the mountains that night, but there was not one single bump.

A dear friend of mine jokes that in her family, when the winter roads were even a little bit slick, her relatives would arrive at her house complaining, “Oh my God, it was terrible out there. The roads were a sheet of glass.” This disaster mentality seemed funny — but animal magnetism will try to use anything — humor, fear, peer pressure — to trick us into falling out of the Christ-consciousness.

In Science and Health Mary Baker Eddy asks: “Are thoughts divine or human? That is the important question.” This means that we can't just seek the calm of a sea of glass consciousness without rejecting the material sheet of glass mentality — as Jesus did in the boat and taught me to do on that plane. In other words, with every thought, we need to learn to check it: Is this sheet of glass consciousness? OR, is this sea of glass consciousness? Am I falling for the next horrendous news story, weather report, medical diagnosis? OR, am I practicing the peace that passeth all understanding that is the Christ- consciousness?

Let’s not go down that material rabbit hole! Instead we can choose the sea of glass and reject the sheet of glass! As Rev. G. A. Kratzer writes: “We should, and can, attain this ‘sea of glass’ for ourselves.”

I am so grateful for all the changes that have come from my being a member of this church and learning Christian Science here.

For various reasons, which at one time seemed significant, I left my youth feeling like I was completely worthless, and that my only real value came from my being useful to others. Each time other people decided I wasn't worth keeping around, it once more validated those old feelings.

When I finally arrived here in Plainfield, I began learning from my practitioner that my focus should be on God alone, and that only He can make me useful. However, for the first 8 years or so of being here, I still couldn't let go of the feeling that even the slightest drop in my output would show that I don't have enough value to keep around. It wasn't until I saw others come to Plainfield and saw them working through similar feelings that I realized no one here is expecting that behavior of me or anyone. Again, it is God alone who makes us useful.

So, in the wake of that realization, has come a few years of steadily learning to trust God more and to humanly push less, and to learn to be kinder to myself and give my past to God more. What a wonderful blessing it has been to learn these lessons and to feel God’s love and to let that old man go. I am so grateful for this church and for my practitioner for everything I have been taught here.

We all have times when we think, “This is impossible! How will this ever work out?” But that’s just the time when we need to let God take over and just listen.

As a real estate agent, I sometimes need to find contractors who can get repairs done on a home within a tight deadline. I recently had a situation where extensive repairs needed to be done quickly in order to meet a deadline. As I was driving home after meeting with yet another contractor, discouragement began to set in. The situation was complicated, and the solution seemed impossible. I had met with multiple contractors, yet nothing seemed to be working out.

However, I had just recently read that, “with God, nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37) and that, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ... nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matt 17:20). I prayed with these, and felt my peace return. An angel thought came that I should call the local hardware store to ask if they knew any contractors who would be interested. The lady who answered didn't know of anyone, but suggested that I call the local lumber yard. They could only think of one person, so l called. We went to look at the home and, despite the complicated and extensive work needed to be done, he said he could handle all of it and would be able to start the work within a week. The repairs were done perfectly, and within the deadline.

This reminded me of an account I read of the building of The Mother Church Extension. It said that as soon as the workmen agreed that the work could be done, which they doubted before this, everything seemed to move as by magic — the human mind stopped resisting, and the lesson was learned to be willing to let God work.

I am so very grateful for these Bible verses that came to mind when negative suggestions were trying to discourage me. I am very grateful for all that I'm learning here in Plainfield Church about Christian Science.

I'm very grateful for all the life lessons that I have learned here in this church through Christian Science, and many of them with the help of our practitioner and teacher, Mrs. Doris Evans. One of the things that was perhaps more difficult for me to learn, but definitely important to learn, was that there is a battle going on between good and evil — or so it seems to be going on — and we are part of it. We need to make sure we're fighting on the right side if we want to have a successful and fulfilling life, and see the allness of good, the Allness of God.

Well, this idea that we have to fight for what’s right was something I really didn't appreciate before I came to this church. In fact, when our teacher first told me the importance of being on the right side of this battle, I didn't like the idea that there had to be a battle in the first place. I thought it was appropriate to go through life being diplomatic about things and working things out peacefully. I couldn't have been more wrong. As a result of that attitude, I had some serious problems in my life, being incapable of confrontation. So, I had relationships with people in my career, and other places, that were just not healthy. It was all because I was far too willing to be soft on things that were wrong, and not fight for what was right. I was more concerned about not hurting people’s feelings than whether or not right was being done.

Now, this battle is the Lord’s, it’s not personal. This was something that I had to learn. I had to learn to be one hundred percent obedient to God, to what is right, and not fear the consequences. I began to realize that this attitude of mine was an extremely selfish attitude. I was more concerned about my own well-being, or what people would think of me than anything else.

Then, I remember very well waking up one morning a changed person. I realized, yes of course, there is a battle going on, and I have a responsibility to stand for what is right if I am going to have a clear conscience. As I did that, a lot of problems that I had with facing confrontations were healed quickly. I have become more confident that God is in control of my life, and I have certainly found a peace that I didn't know before this. I'm not so concerned about people’s feelings anymore. If there’s something

going wrong, I am not afraid to speak up, out of love for them. I have learned, and am learning, that evil really is nothing, but it needs to be destroyed as a belief, and it gets destroyed in our own consciousness first.

So, I am thankful for this lesson. It has changed my relationships with a lot of people, and changed my attitude toward a lot of things for the better. I am grateful to Mrs. Evans for helping me see what I needed to do, and I'm grateful to Mary Baker Eddy for standing in the heat of the battle before us, and winning it, and making this Truth available to the world.

When I was a young girl, my father. who believed that creativity and Christian Science had much to do with each other, let me share in his work as a landscape architect and teacher.

We would often sit and work together to find metaphysical solutions to very real seeming problems. When he worked on blue prints and wanted to bring his ideas into form, I saw that relying on God is the best option any of us have. I saw many healings take place from cuts from a lawnmower, or hedge trimmer, power shortages or surges, clients paying late and many more. I saw that God meets our every need, and this is what is important today.

We worked with Science and Health, and I would read this very dear textbook to him as he would solve problems and remind me that God had solved these problems. When the answers would come, it was a joyful thank you that I often heard, so I know that this Science—and it is a science—works. I remembered the many healings I experienced in childhood of bullying, being treated badly for being different and foreign. We saw that we must see as God sees and let go of judgement and resentment. We often spoke of inclusivity and that God only wants the best for all His ideas. For this I am very grateful, and to have these relatives who saw healing in Christian Science as a way of life.

Recently, I have tried to find museums and galleries in Harburg, where I teach drawing and painting to two groups of small children. When the people whom I contacted learned where the school was located, they did not want to have them come. So, with more difficulties that came up, including the parents not sending the permission slips back, I went to God and asked my Plainfield practitioner to support me. She said God’s will, will be done and that she would support me and gently led me back to Science and Health, which we often use as our base of study at the Roundtable and in Christian Science. I opened Science and Health and read. I then asked God to help me to see with more clarity and more love. This helped to break the mesmerism. I was then led to speak with the deputy school director, as the director was off.

The deputy director at first did not want to see anything but obstacles, but the small truth that 2+2 is 4 prevailed, and five children went to the museum with me. Step by step, God led us back and forth, and on time. I am so grateful that fear was broken for the flood tides of Truth to open us all up to this experience.

I would like to thank this very precious Independent Christian Science Church for the decades of prayers that have been uttered here to bless the world. I felt those prayers when I so badly needed them, before I knew this church existed.

We flew to the United States of America last spring, to spend time with church members. As we touched down in this blessed land of God, this blessed Christian country, at around 1:00 a.m. on a warm spring night, immediately I felt the purest sense, a quiet yet direct change in my prayers. And I found the most pure and blessed atmosphere as I came closer and closer physically to this independent Christian Science Church — a deep release of thought and a great relief to be here in this holy congregation. How I cried to meet the beautiful people, the dearest voices that I have loved for over

three years, listening to this church in the night from Australia. But a deeper cry because I felt a release and closeness to God. Truly this is holy ground at this dear independent church.

One day I was able to sit quietly in this precious church on a warm afternoon whilst no one was here, and prayed. Truly I felt God’s mighty love and joy, a softening of thought into the towering strength of God’s presence. I felt ministered to by His angels, almost like a tuning fork vibrating in tune.

Seeing how dedicated everyone is here was a blessing to me. Everyone has a job to do and a role to play, and there’s a good pace, no dawdling. These are people who really love God and love Christian Science to be working as hard as they do!

Sunday’s roundtable and church service were my first experience of being here for those two events. Everyone works together here to get those two events working perfectly, and dear Jeremy does so much work across two computer systems for a smooth transition to run the events on time, while people are faithfully praying to support God’s good work here. I wasn't quick enough the first time so I missed the first hymn of the service, so I definitely moved faster next time! The sound of the beautiful pipe organ in person is majestic. Its tone is beautiful and fills the auditorium.

I thank this faithful congregation for the Christly work and pure Christian Science prayer that has been, and is, blessing the whole world.

The Blue Book on page 252 states that once someone visited Mrs. Eddy and asked her, “Mother, are you ever lonely?” She turned and then said, “Alone, child, but never lonely!”

This warms my heart. The “never lonely” part is what we should all know. Hagar’s story in Genesis, chapter 21, reminds me that this is what she had to know also. One of the Bible commentaries spoke of Hagar as being the only one who names God in the Bible as El Roi, which means The God Who Sees Me.

Our God sees all of us as His perfect children. So whenever we are alone, or feeling lonely, we must ask ourselves whether we are depending on God, or on a self apart from the Supreme Being, because our true being is never separated from God; the God who sees me.

The Bible promises, “God is our refuge and our strength.” A refuge is defined as any place inaccessible to an enemy; shelter or protection from danger. Our refuge is in God, in Truth. That is where we are protected and embraced.

I was thinking about refuge and refugees, along with those displaced by extremes of weather. A refugee is someone seeking shelter from danger, and that can be reliably found only in God. God is our refuge, my refuge, He’s everyone’s refuge and strength, and therefore no one can be without all that they need, when they need it. Mrs. Eddy says, “Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need.” God, in His great love, supplies every needful thing, in very practical ways.

This is something we need to work with daily. If we know that truth for everyone, everywhere, those who are receptive will find their right place, wherever that place might be. With God there are always infinite resources, and all needs will be met. Mrs. Eddy says, “Soul has infinite resources with which to bless mankind, and happiness would be more readily attained and would be more secure in our keeping if sought in Soul.” (S&H p. 60) It’s not based on governments, because governments will fail, governments have limited supply. It has to be based on God, only His supply is infinite.

Praying with these truths, you come under a law, not the human law of lack, disturbance, and hate, but under the divine law of abundance, peace, and love, where every need is abundantly met.

“God help me now,” I cried, “or else I fall.”

Yet I was overcome despite my call,

And failure’s fog seemed to envelop all.

And then I learned to pray, “God helps me now.”

Then was the fog dispelled. I knew somehow

No harmful, evil thing could God allow.

Where I had seen only the gloom of night,

Effulgence now I saw that shone so bright

It bathed all things within God’s crystal light.

No more could I believe wrongs would assail,

Nor fear to press on through a misty vale;

God held me in His care; I could not fail.

O ever-present Love, we need not plead

For You to care for Yours; our only need

Is that we see how good You are indeed.

From nothing more than fog, fear forms its molds

That seem so real; who pierces them beholds

The perfect universe God’s love enfolds.

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Letters of Gratitude

Dear Friends,

It has been a long time since we had regular contact. Seemingly, the so-called Adam dream took charge over me, letting me drive away from Christian Science altogether. Recently, I was propelled to take up the sincere study of the absolute Christian Science, and I felt divinely inspired to do so.

As described in the Scriptures and in Science and Health, evil forces will try to kill the Christ child as soon as it was born. I believe this is happening in our days. Error, in all its forms, is at the heels of Truth.

I am so glad the Plainfield Christian Science Church, Independent, teaches pure Christian Science as Mrs. Eddy taught it. As a community, we can express Christian unity, the fellowship of men here and now.

My parents are extremely hateful against Christian Science and the Christ idea; as a result of this, they took my Bible and Science and Health and put them in the wastebasket. They also want to limit my access to the Internet now.

Now, dear friends, first of all, I am very much looking forward to hearing from you again, just knowing that you were out there. That I am not alone. Many thanks in advance!

I am so grateful for Christian Science and truly do not know how I would manage without it.

I listen to the Roundtable every night, and that is when I fall asleep. So grateful for the calming words and Truth that is given.

Thank you, Plainfield, for your church, your website and all you do for our world.

“Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me... the peace that was meant to be... with God as our Father... in perfect harmony!!”

Such a beautiful song and singing, such beautiful hymns, and such a lovely service in total.

Just checking in to say thank you for all you do, along with the other loving members at our holy place of worship.

What wonderful works the Plainfield Christian Science Church, Independent is doing for humanity. Your website, which reaches out to the whole world, offers so much comfort and practical truths that we can use and express in everyday life. I am so grateful for all the dedicated workers in this church who make it all possible.

I was raised in Christian Science and also brought my two boys to Sunday School when I attended church. However, after the boys left home, I drifted away from church attendance but never rejected the truths taught in Christian Science. I would realize the truths taught in some life situations but not in others. The members of the church I attended were very kind good people but I just felt I couldn't talk to anyone about the real problems happening in our world. I wasn't sure if some were afraid to uncover or face these issues or whether it was considered negative thinking and, therefore, mustn't be spoken of. It could have been just my personal interpretation of it all.

I love listening to the Roundtable and gain much inspiration from it. I was happy to learn that your members do indeed address the underlying world issues by uncovering and then praying about them. Your website, Lesson Sermons, and Roundtables encourage me to not just uncover error/evil but to immediately know that because God didn't create it, it can have no real power. I sometimes forget to do the vital second part!

I just received the most recent 2024 Christmas issue of “Love Is The Liberator,” which prompted me to write this long overdue expression of gratitude. All the articles were so very inspirational!! Thank you to everyone who contributed! I know the world is becoming a better place because of the tremendous outreach of this church.

It is with joy that I enclose my monthly contribution to this church. In the past few weeks blessings flowed from this church, including Bible Study, Lesson Sermons, Roundtables, Church services and testimony meetings, Unity Watches, and many articles of Mary Baker Eddy’s on Christmas, and uplifting articles by others for this holy season.

Many thanks for the very special Christmas Eve Candlelight service, and the Christmas night testimony meeting, including the awesome violin performance of a church member from North Carolina. All of these wonderful things contributed greatly to the holiness of the season, culminating in the Wednesday night’s readings (1/1/2025), with the theme: “Let your New Year’s resolution be a fitness for holiness.”

As always this independent church feeds the soul with the Word of God, and it is much appreciated.

With love and thanks.

I am grateful to this church for your work in support of the comforting Science of the Christ established by decades of untiring work by Mary Baker Eddy.

I was thinking also of the wonderful content week after week on the Bible Lessons and on the

wonderful selection of the golden texts, responsive readings, and all citations. I also am grateful for the website availability of early worker contributions.

Thank you one and all for this holy work.

Dear Plainfield Church,

My wife and I have taken great comfort as we always do in your articles online, and at this time where mortal mind is trying to tempt us to believe in it, you are a beacon literally in the storm.

We feel prayers of protection from the fire and the wind that mortal mind is again attempting to frighten our community. There is great protection in the Ninety-first Psalm for us, plus, we know that there is protection for the children of God. I have been working with your articles from the blessed Mrs. Eddy concerning the weather. Thanks again and lots of love.

Just a brief line to say thank you so much to Jon and Faith (and musicians) for the most amazing performance of ‘Rejoice Greatly’ on Sunday.

It was a real joy and treat to hear this beautiful piece, thank you, and even lovelier to be able to see them singing this when the recording was posted to the Plainfield website, as it is easier to catch all the words when I can watch. Thank you.

I began exploring readings by Mary Baker Eddy on the Plainfield site over a year ago and experienced remarkable peace and well being. As time went on, however, I learned that it is up to me to sustain that. Today I can say that I am praying for myself, and that, although I fail sometimes, I battle until I reach a better state. The thoughts I am working with have brought me the thought that I am an idea of God made manifest. Plainfield made my progress possible.

I wasn't able to progress in situations where how to interpret Mrs. Eddy’s work is determined by committee and presented as the authoritative view. I am grateful for the unassuming peace I have in which I think thoughts that are comfortable for me. I have actually been playing the piano again, and I have ammunition ready when thoughts or feelings occur to me that are a torment. I have integrated my own experience with her words as I am able to do that, and how grateful I am to be allowed to do it independently.

Many thanks for all the powerful truths to work with, which were given in the Sunday, December 8, Roundtable, the wonderful Lesson Sermons, the Unity Watches, the Daily Emails, and all the articles on the website carousel. Besides learning “What Christmas Means to Me” by Mary Baker Eddy, another essential and inspiring item recommended to work with in this Holy Season was “The Power of a Right Idea” found in Addresses by Martha Wilcox.

If you don't own a copy, we are very fortunate to have the entire book available on the website! So inspiring is all this study, it really sets us apart from all "the harsh noises of the day" and brings us in thought closer and closer to our oneness with our Father-Mother God.

Another blessing can be found under “Noteworthy News” on the website; after feeling your closeness and connection to God, click on “The Blessing” (Numbers 6:24-26) at this website — listen and watch (full screen if on the computer) to voices all over the world singing and praising the Lord, with hope, faith, and happiness — truly these happy faces and joyful voices will uplift your spirit, and lead you to feel the connection that we all have in our oneness with our Father-Mother God!

Good day to the Plainfield Christian Science church. Thank you for your dedication to representing Christian Science as discovered and founded by Mary Baker Eddy. What a strong lesson on the Christ is presented by your Bible Lesson Committee for this week. Thank you and appreciation to you all who belong to and support this church.

Thank you very much to your practitioners all.

I’ve been listening again to the Roundtable from February 16th, 2023, “The Law of Recovery,” and would like to thank you all very much for this excellent session with so many lessons.

When you were speaking about loving our neighbor to restore our own happiness, I was reminded of part of a television program talking about loneliness in older people. They interviewed a gentleman who had been referred to a particular charity because he was so lonely and housebound. The charity provides a friendship service, whereby a volunteer will call once a week for a chat. He was so helped by this service that he soon signed up as a volunteer himself, and now gets a great deal of joy from telephoning a number of people in need of a weekly chat. He feels useful and has made new friends. How lovely that there are always ways that we can express Love.

Thank you so much again, and much love,

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Testimonies of Healing

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A note about the lighthouse sketch by Luanne:

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

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

“Publish the Word”

Broadcast the Truth

“Freely ye have received, freely give”