INTRODUCTION to KA25
Greetings and a very warm welcome to you all!
Our theme: “.....above the smoke of conflict, into light and liberty” from the end of the preface to Misc Writings, came to me as an inspiration - fast and focused. And what followed is a year of having this theme continually worked on, prayed over, evolving into this grand work, this magnum opus of the year. It celebrates “Where the Lord is there is liberty” and our freedom to be so far above all mortal strife, or cruel creed, or earthborn taint ( as it says in Mrs. Eddy’s hymn.
This is our divine right, and this is our divine light. And this is our time to be awake, alert, and engaged, learning better how to overcome the evil and discordant aspects of the human condition, “the smoke,” which is countered by lifting us into the light and liberty of God.
This theme and reading assignment for the Korinek Association this year has - as I shared in your January letter this year - a vibrant feel of rallying together, being on the frontlines, and sharing the joy as we set out to sharpen our healing practice, broaden our healing work, and deepen a transformative love for God, our Leader, and for all humanity.I wanted to start out, however, with a clear understanding of God and how we relate to God… To understand God is to understand the root Cause of all existence, which is LOVE. To understand God and our relation to God is to understand our oneness with God. And this sets off a plethora of healing ideas, reminding us of our oneness with a tsunami of transformative Truth that affirms and glorifies God, assures God’s ever-accessible nature to His creation, neutralizes and destroys evil, and revolutionizes the human condition and our world.
And what does that oneness look like? It is good to know because we have a stake in reflecting all that God is! We have a role in….
SLIDE 2 “One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, “Love thy neighbor as thyself;” annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry, — whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed.” (Science and Health, p. 340:23)
This is the God that loves us! “God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.” (Job 37:5) We may not always be able to comprehend the infinite Almightiness of God, but we are His representation/His witnesses/We are the very evidence of God! And we are never deprived of God. And God is never without us - God is never deprived of us.
God loves us with a pure and enduring love - a love beyond history or time - an everlasting love; He has created us with lovingkindness; He knows our thoughts - our uprising and downsitting; His thoughts towards us are thoughts of peace to give us “an expected end” NIV: to give you hope and a future ( Jer 29: 11).
Psalm 103:1-6 Living Bible I bless the holy name of God with all my heart. 2 Yes, I will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things he does for me.
God fills all space. God, Life, Truth, and Love is the everlasting I AM , the Being who was and is and shall be, whom nothing can erase. Whom NOTHING CAN ERASE.
The cry to know God’s power, presence and peace today is loud. And the scientific right thought informed and emboldened with the clear conviction of one omnipotent, God, good is needed more than ever.
(From the Journal: Rob Gilbert’s The Power and Reach of Scientific Thought)
Our textbook tells us of the power and reach of scientific right thought—that its voice is heard above all else, and it exposes and destroys even hidden, latent evil before it appears to the physical senses (see Science and Health, p. 559). Divine, scientific thought is the very law of God.
There is some urgency right now to take a more active stand for the truth of God and His creation against the claims of material sense. Last year, roughly half of the world’s population was holding elections and making decisions that are now shaping international relations and national priorities. The fear of what might develop can seem intimidating and all-consuming at times. But the law of God, good, utterly annihilates evil and destroys its plots, as illustrated in the conversion of Saul of Tarsus on his way to Damascus.
This law was so mighty and thorough that it not only prevented the intended harm, but exposed and destroyed the false traits in Saul’s character that made him want to harm. The fading out of Saul gave way to the emergence of Paul, whose character was far closer to the true, spiritual identity of man, which was always there to be seen and demonstrated.
We see the impact of the law of God in the transformation of character in the Bible many times. In addition to the Saul/Paul transformation, we have:
Jacob ➤ Israel After wrestling with an angel, and gaining back his brother, he was renamed Israel and became the father of the twelve tribes, transformed from deceiver to patriarch.Abram ➤ Abraham His faith led to a covenant with God, a name change to Abraham (“father of many”), and the promise of descendants as numerous as the stars.Simon ➤ Peter. The disciple Peter was renamed by Jesus, who called him Peter (“rock”), who went from denying Christ to confessing the true Messiah, and Christ Jesus built upon that rock, a firm foundation in the realm of harmony. (Science and Health, p. 138:1, 8–9) What happened in these conversions? The law of God was at work.
(These conversions are) a vivid illustration of the following statement by Mrs. Eddy, as recorded by a student: “Evil is self-destroyed and so destroys its perpetrator. What is this destruction? It is the loss of selfhood and the loss of the power to do evil and to realize the far-off attainable power of good” (We Knew Mary Baker Eddy, Expanded Edition, Vol. 1, p. 116).
These characters all showed how they overcame adversity and were lifted out of the smoke of conflict into light and liberty. These characters can be seen as our colleagues as we join them in establishing Christianity.They became loyal Christians, and we can see them as loyal natural Christian Scientists. As Mrs. Eddy says: “To those natural Christian Scientists, the ancient worthies, and to Christ Jesus, God certainly revealed the spirit of Christian Science, if not the absolute letter.” (Science and Health, p. 483:19)
TO LOYAL CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
READINGS from the Bible and SH and MW by Mary Baker Eddy
(Miscellaneous Writings, p. 120:11–15) Beloved students, loyal laborers are ye that have wrought valiantly, and achieved great guerdons (gur·dnz) in the vineyard of our Lord; but a mighty victory is yet to be won, a great freedom for the race; and Christian success is under arms, — with armor on, not laid down.
John 8:31, 32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed in him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
SH 326:20 Working and praying with true motives, your Father will open the way. “Who did hinder you, that ye should not obey the truth?”
II Cor. 13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
SH 227:14–15, 17–19 Discerning the rights of man, we cannot fail to foresee the doom of all oppression. ... “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
Gal. 5: 13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
SH 97 32–6 (to ,) The prophet of to-day beholds in the mental horizon the signs of these times, the reappearance of the Christianity which heals the sick and destroys error, ...
(Miscellaneous Writings p. xii:3) With armor on, I continue the march, command and countermand; Supported, cheered, I take my pen and pruning-hook, to “learn war no more,” and with strong wing to lift my readers above the smoke of conflict into light and liberty.”
These are some excerpts from a Reading Room News Report of Oct, 1988, “Behind the Books”
“SINCE Science and Health is the statement of Mary Baker Eddy's work as Discoverer, it might be said that Miscellaneous Writings illustrated her extraordinary role as Founder and Leader.
Most of the articles in Miscellaneous Writings were drawn from The Christian Science Journal. The years just prior to the founding of the Journal (in 1883) saw extreme challenges, not the least of which was the death of Gilbert Eddy in June, 1882. This period more than furnished her with "experience" from which to write. But far from showing signs of defeat, the years of 1883 - 1896, (though still unquestionably difficult), would mark years of significant progress. ….This period also brought to birth the Journal; the first Normal class, the formal organization of The Mother Church and the building of The Mother Church edifice; the ordaining of the Bible and Science and Health as pastor; and the publication of the Manual of The Mother Church. Also the notable 50th edition. The movement went from founding a church to establishing church in the future Com Pub, CSOs, CSPS, Board of Lectureship and other outward actions.
Many of the articles represented landmarks, not only for the Cause, but for its Leader. These articles were evidence that the founding work was progressing. They took up the extremely practical points of being a "working" Christian Scientist. Then, as now, it was a time for her followers to take to heart the sentiment expressed in her dedicatory statement: To LOYAL CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS in this and every land
Mrs Eddy writes about this book that can make the reading of Misc Writings our goal:
SLIDE 4 These pages, although a reproduction of what has been written, are still in advance of their time; and are richly rewarded by what they have hitherto achieved for the race. ...
May this volume be to the reader a graphic guide-book, pointing the path, dating the unseen, and enabling him to walk the untrodden in the hitherto unexplored fields of Science. … (Misc, pp. xi:5 8, 11–14)
A little more backstory on Miscellaneous Writings 1883 - 1896: The movement’s rapid growth caused Mrs Eddy, in March 1897, to publish this notice in the Journal.
SLIDE 5 NOTICE By MARY BAKER EDDYFrom the March 1897 issue of The Christian Science Journal
The Christian Scientists in the United States and Canada are hereby enjoined not to teach a student Christian Science for one year, commencing on March 14th, 1897.
"Miscellaneous Writings" is calculated to prepare the minds of all true thinkers to understand the Christian Science Text-book more correctly than a student can.
The Bible, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, and my other published works, are the only proper instructors for this hour. It shall be the duty of all Christian Scientists to circulate and to sell as many of these books as they can.
If a member of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, shall fail to obey this injunction, it will render him liable to lose his membership in this Church. MARY BAKER EDDY.
Annie M. Knott - one of the early workers in the movement - explains what was behind this temporary halt to Primary class instruction (From We Knew Mary Baker Eddy, Vol. 1 | page 185)
As early as [1885], …Many were claiming to teach Christian Science who had not been taught by Mrs. Eddy and who were using and recommending literature which was not in accordance with her teachings, so she published in the [November 1885] Journal a remarkable article ( now found on pages 370–371 of Miscellaneous Writings under the title “Blind Leaders.”) Error was doing its utmost to have people believe that they could be good Christian Scientists but not followers of Mrs. Eddy, and as she says in this article, “Yes; the good Shepherd does care for all, and His first care is to separate the sheep from the goats; and this is among the first lessons on healing taught by our great Master.”
It goes without saying that divine Truth makes this separation between [t]ruth and error in the thought of each individual who has become interested in Christian Science, and this involves a separation between [t]ruth and error at every step of the way. Some who were ill-prepared to practice or teach Christian Science had been going from place to place soliciting students. This really seemed to discredit for a time class teaching, and when at length, in March 1897, Mrs. Eddy’s book Miscellaneous Writings was given to the Field, some were heard to remark that they could have told Mrs. Eddy a good while ago that she had better stop all class teaching.
This book, Miscellaneous Writings, certainly marked a most important forward step for our Cause and for all loyal Christian Scientists. At the same time, Mrs. Eddy announced in the Journal of March 1897 that Christian Scientists should discontinue the work of teaching for a year ( as we have just read – or else they would lose their membership) …..This announcement was followed by a great stir in thought, yet loyal Scientists did not hesitate in obeying Mrs. Eddy’s injunction. Those who did otherwise actually separated themselves from the movement without any disciplinary action on the part of The Mother Church. In other words, it was an important step in the separation of the sheep from the goats.
A year from that time, a notice was published in the March 1898 issue of the Journal that those who had proven themselves good and faithful teachers might resume the work of teaching, and they were permitted to instruct two classes of not over thirty students each during the ensuing year. Thus, under divine guidance, our Leader cleared up the problem of class teaching for the time being. The March 1898 notice, signed by our Leader, [included this statement]: “May our God that is Love teach us this year and every year how to serve Him.”
So, the second book of your homework assignment: Rudimental Divine Science. First called Rudiments and Rules of Divine Science, it was published in November 1887. It was written in response to the growing number of questions clergy and others had about Christian Science. In many ways is like a booklet of questions and answers that lends itself as a ready reference when a short and quick reply is needed.
Rudimental Divine Science
In many ways, the latter part of the 1880s could be viewed as the period when Mary Baker Eddy was coming to grips in her writing with theological objections to Christian Science. That these objections were being voiced by clergymen, particularly those who had taken a class with her, and it made a prompt response to these objections even more important.
Among them was William Gill, a Methodist clergyman who, for a brief period, was assistant pastor of The Mother Church. Although Mrs. Eddy spent much time trying to help him and other clergy in her classes come to a full understanding of Christian Science and to overcome the convictions resulting from their training in orthodox theology, her efforts did not bear the expected fruit…..
Nevertheless, the questions about Christian Science that were being raised seemed to demand a published response — one that would help her followers in years to come. The result was three small books — No and Yes, Rudimental Divine Science, and Unity of Good.
Of these, Rudimental Divine Science is the shortest and in some ways very much like a booklet of questions and answers on Christian Science.
And it addresses many of the basic questions newcomers are likely to ask.
It opens, for instance, with "How would you define Christian Science?" "Is healinq the sick the whole of Science?" In reply, our Leader moves directly into the importance of overcoming sin, writing, "Healing physical sickness is the smallest part of Christian Science. ... The emphatic purpose of Christian Science is the healing of sin;..." (p. 2) ( More on this later!)
Responding in her own unique way to the orthodox theologians, she ties healing of sin directly to the mission of Christ Jesus. Instead of presenting the Master as having done our work for us, she brings out the specific demands we face if we wish to follow him and overcome sin in our own lives.……..The answer to her final question — "Is there more than one school of scientific healing?" — includes the very clear answer - NO! And includes a passage that is, perhaps, one of the most poignant and instructive in her writings: "The true understanding of Christian Science Mind-healing never originated in pride, rivalry, or the deification of self. The Discoverer of this Science could tell you of timidity, of self-distrust, of friendlessness, toil, agonies, and victories, under which she needed miraculous vision to sustain her, when taking the first footsteps in this Science." (p. 17) That she persisted in taking those steps and left for us her Church and her writings is proof of the "miraculous vision" that sustained her.(End of excerpts from “Behind the Books: Reading Room Notes of Oct 1988”)
The third book of your assignment is Christian Healer, Amplified edition: Just as Misc Writings was compiled with Journal articles designed to meet the crises that her young movement was facing – These hard-won lessons are highlighted in Mrs. Eddy’s bio, Christian Healer, and then in the updated, Christian Healer, Amplified Edition, providing a behind-the-scenes look at how Mrs. Eddy was led to lead the Christian Science movement and how she nurtured and supported others’ healing practices.
“It is the task of the sturdy pioneer to hew the tall oak and to cut the rough granite. Future ages must declare what the pioneer has accomplished.” (Science and Health, p. vii:23) We are on the frontlines declaring for all time “what the pioneer has accomplished”!
On the frontlines - it is a safe and fortifying place to be - safe because we are forever guarded and guided by Love that never fails and Truth that is always the victor. We are empowered as we are engaged with the divine energies of Life each step of the way. In this invigorating sense, we may have challenges. We may even have to struggle to prove that Science is all it is. Mrs Eddy writes about these trials:
Trials teach mortals not to lean on a material staff, — a broken reed, which pierces the heart. We do not half remember this in the sunshine of joy and prosperity. Sorrow is salutary. Through great tribulation we enter the kingdom. Trials are proofs of God’s care. Spiritual development germinates not from seed sown in the soil of material hopes, but when these decay, Love propagates anew the higher joys of Spirit, which have no taint of earth. Each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love.(Science and Health, p. 66:6) ( More on this later)
There is a special joy in knowing that one is gaining constantly in the knowledge of Truth and divine Love. ... Of this, we rest assured, that every trial of our faith in God makes us stronger and firmer in understanding and obedience.(Miscellaneous Writings, p. 160:10 11, 13)
So I hope that reading the two books specifically dedicated to loyal Christian Scientists, and knowing more about the early movement gives you this understanding of the roots of this movement and how it is propelled today by all loyal students of Christian Science throughout the generations. That there is this real feel of rallying together under Mrs. Eddy’s miraculous vision of salvation for all mankind. Under this vision, we are, rooted in conviction, quietly rising with strength and grace to a high calling. The struggles, the victories – we are all in this together, sharing the joy as we set out to sharpen our healing practice and ignite in our hearts an even more healing and transformative love for God, our Leader, and for all humanity.
###
Greetings and a very warm welcome to you all!
Our theme: “.....above the smoke of conflict, into light and liberty” from the end of the preface to Misc Writings, came to me as an inspiration - fast and focused. And what followed is a year of having this theme continually worked on, prayed over, evolving into this grand work, this magnum opus of the year. It celebrates “Where the Lord is there is liberty” and our freedom to be so far above all mortal strife, or cruel creed, or earthborn taint ( as it says in Mrs. Eddy’s hymn.
This is our divine right, and this is our divine light. And this is our time to be awake, alert, and engaged, learning better how to overcome the evil and discordant aspects of the human condition, “the smoke,” which is countered by lifting us into the light and liberty of God.
This theme and reading assignment for the Korinek Association this year has - as I shared in your January letter this year - a vibrant feel of rallying together, being on the frontlines, and sharing the joy as we set out to sharpen our healing practice, broaden our healing work, and deepen a transformative love for God, our Leader, and for all humanity.I wanted to start out, however, with a clear understanding of God and how we relate to God… To understand God is to understand the root Cause of all existence, which is LOVE. To understand God and our relation to God is to understand our oneness with God. And this sets off a plethora of healing ideas, reminding us of our oneness with a tsunami of transformative Truth that affirms and glorifies God, assures God’s ever-accessible nature to His creation, neutralizes and destroys evil, and revolutionizes the human condition and our world.
And what does that oneness look like? It is good to know because we have a stake in reflecting all that God is! We have a role in….
SLIDE 2 “One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, “Love thy neighbor as thyself;” annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry, — whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed.” (Science and Health, p. 340:23)
This is the God that loves us! “God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.” (Job 37:5) We may not always be able to comprehend the infinite Almightiness of God, but we are His representation/His witnesses/We are the very evidence of God! And we are never deprived of God. And God is never without us - God is never deprived of us.
God loves us with a pure and enduring love - a love beyond history or time - an everlasting love; He has created us with lovingkindness; He knows our thoughts - our uprising and downsitting; His thoughts towards us are thoughts of peace to give us “an expected end” NIV: to give you hope and a future ( Jer 29: 11).
Psalm 103:1-6 Living Bible I bless the holy name of God with all my heart. 2 Yes, I will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things he does for me.
- He forgives all my sins.
- He heals me.
- He gives justice to all who are treated unfairly.
- He ransoms me from hell.
- He surrounds me with loving-kindness and tender mercies.
- He fills my life with good things! My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
God fills all space. God, Life, Truth, and Love is the everlasting I AM , the Being who was and is and shall be, whom nothing can erase. Whom NOTHING CAN ERASE.
The cry to know God’s power, presence and peace today is loud. And the scientific right thought informed and emboldened with the clear conviction of one omnipotent, God, good is needed more than ever.
(From the Journal: Rob Gilbert’s The Power and Reach of Scientific Thought)
Our textbook tells us of the power and reach of scientific right thought—that its voice is heard above all else, and it exposes and destroys even hidden, latent evil before it appears to the physical senses (see Science and Health, p. 559). Divine, scientific thought is the very law of God.
There is some urgency right now to take a more active stand for the truth of God and His creation against the claims of material sense. Last year, roughly half of the world’s population was holding elections and making decisions that are now shaping international relations and national priorities. The fear of what might develop can seem intimidating and all-consuming at times. But the law of God, good, utterly annihilates evil and destroys its plots, as illustrated in the conversion of Saul of Tarsus on his way to Damascus.
This law was so mighty and thorough that it not only prevented the intended harm, but exposed and destroyed the false traits in Saul’s character that made him want to harm. The fading out of Saul gave way to the emergence of Paul, whose character was far closer to the true, spiritual identity of man, which was always there to be seen and demonstrated.
We see the impact of the law of God in the transformation of character in the Bible many times. In addition to the Saul/Paul transformation, we have:
Jacob ➤ Israel After wrestling with an angel, and gaining back his brother, he was renamed Israel and became the father of the twelve tribes, transformed from deceiver to patriarch.Abram ➤ Abraham His faith led to a covenant with God, a name change to Abraham (“father of many”), and the promise of descendants as numerous as the stars.Simon ➤ Peter. The disciple Peter was renamed by Jesus, who called him Peter (“rock”), who went from denying Christ to confessing the true Messiah, and Christ Jesus built upon that rock, a firm foundation in the realm of harmony. (Science and Health, p. 138:1, 8–9) What happened in these conversions? The law of God was at work.
(These conversions are) a vivid illustration of the following statement by Mrs. Eddy, as recorded by a student: “Evil is self-destroyed and so destroys its perpetrator. What is this destruction? It is the loss of selfhood and the loss of the power to do evil and to realize the far-off attainable power of good” (We Knew Mary Baker Eddy, Expanded Edition, Vol. 1, p. 116).
These characters all showed how they overcame adversity and were lifted out of the smoke of conflict into light and liberty. These characters can be seen as our colleagues as we join them in establishing Christianity.They became loyal Christians, and we can see them as loyal natural Christian Scientists. As Mrs. Eddy says: “To those natural Christian Scientists, the ancient worthies, and to Christ Jesus, God certainly revealed the spirit of Christian Science, if not the absolute letter.” (Science and Health, p. 483:19)
TO LOYAL CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
READINGS from the Bible and SH and MW by Mary Baker Eddy
(Miscellaneous Writings, p. 120:11–15) Beloved students, loyal laborers are ye that have wrought valiantly, and achieved great guerdons (gur·dnz) in the vineyard of our Lord; but a mighty victory is yet to be won, a great freedom for the race; and Christian success is under arms, — with armor on, not laid down.
John 8:31, 32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed in him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
SH 326:20 Working and praying with true motives, your Father will open the way. “Who did hinder you, that ye should not obey the truth?”
II Cor. 13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
SH 227:14–15, 17–19 Discerning the rights of man, we cannot fail to foresee the doom of all oppression. ... “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
Gal. 5: 13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
SH 97 32–6 (to ,) The prophet of to-day beholds in the mental horizon the signs of these times, the reappearance of the Christianity which heals the sick and destroys error, ...
(Miscellaneous Writings p. xii:3) With armor on, I continue the march, command and countermand; Supported, cheered, I take my pen and pruning-hook, to “learn war no more,” and with strong wing to lift my readers above the smoke of conflict into light and liberty.”
- Not a day goes by that some headline or event is demanding our attention and a healing response. Knowing the dynamic of Mrs Eddy’s day and seeing parallels to our time, made me want to get “an inside look” at Mary Baker Eddy’s closest workers and her dedication to those loyal Christian Scientists who were there helping to establish the Christian Science movement. They were direct. Challenging timidity and pride, shame and doubt with dedicated, determined, and devoted hearts. They had to address each challenge directly and upfront, right on the frontlines.
- And being on the frontlines requires fearlessness, cheerfulness, and authenticity in direct engagement with others. I learned how important it is to be ready, to respond with the light and liberty and its healing power, to all that comes to our thought.
- It seems we are in a time of great extremes: of moral chemicalization, in which we are dealing with a bland denial of Truth and the flames of conflict
- On moral chemicalization;
- Mortal error will vanish in a moral chemicalization. This mental fermentation has begun, and will continue until all errors of belief yield to understanding. (Science and Health, p. 96:12–23)
- What I term chemicalization is the upheaval produced when immortal Truth is destroying erroneous mortal belief. Mental chemicalization brings sin and sickness to the surface, forcing impurities to pass away, as is the case with a fermenting fluid. (Science and Health, p. 401:16)
- In this chemicalization, it means things are happening and we become more alert to the subtle, bland denial of Truth and the overt flames of conflict
- a bland denial of Truth; bland is a word that means flavorless, lacking in vigor, but easy to consume
- Animal magnetism fosters …” suspicious distrust where honor is due, fear where courage should be strongest, reliance where there should be avoidance, a belief in safety where there is most danger; “...... The state induced by this secret evil influence is a species of intoxication, in which the victim is led to believe and do what he would never, otherwise, think or do voluntarily. (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 211:20–24 (to ;), 32)
- We are awake, not “Lulled by stupefying illusions, ….dreaming away the hours” (Science and Health, p. 95:28–29)
- We are aware of the conflicting forces and choose the right side
- “This material world is even now becoming the arena for conflicting forces. On one side, there will be discord and dismay; on the other side, there will be Science and peace. The breaking up of material beliefs may seem to be famine and pestilence, want and woe, sin, sickness, and death, which assume new phases until their nothingness appears.” ( Science and Health, p. 96:12–23)
- On moral chemicalization;
- Mary Baker Eddy lived on the frontlines while dealing with this moral chemicalization in her lifetime. Establishing this Science took tremendous courage, vision, and persistence. Mrs. Eddy’s students were the ones to carry on the charge. She writes to her loyal students:
- My noble students, who are loyal to Christ, Truth, and human obligations, will not be disheartened in the midst of this seething sea of sin. They build for time and eternity. ...Unity is the essential nature of Christian Science. Its Principle is One, and to demonstrate the divine One, demands oneness of thought and action. (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 264:3–6, 10)
- Her loyal Christian Scientists have grown to include us today! Just as we are colleagues with those ancient worthies in the Bible, so are we with the early workers in the movement.
- What are loyal Christian Scientists?
- Who are loyal Christian Scientists?
- Those enlisted “ The Christian Scientist has enlisted to lessen evil, disease, and death; and he will overcome them by understanding their nothingness and the allness of God, or good. “ (Science and Health, p. 450:19–22)
- Those who have said, like Samuel, “Here am I.”
- Mrs Eddy wrote 17 books: her most well-known is Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, first published in 1875. She dedicated this book to honest seekers of Truth and only dedicated Pulpit and Press, but two books she specifically dedicated to loyal Christian Scientists.
- SLIDE 3 Misc. Writings: To LOYAL CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS in this and every land. I lovingly dedicate these practical teachings indispensable to the culture and achievements which constitute the success of a student and demonstrate the ethics of Christian Science (Misc, p. v:1–9)
- Rudimental Divine Science: This little book is tenderly and respectfully dedicated to all loyal students, working and waiting for the establishment of the Science of Mind-healing (Rud, p. v:1)
- Because these works are dedicated to loyal Christian Scientists, you were assigned to read them as homework. Together with Christian Healer, Amplified, these books offer a vivid sense of being in the presence of omni-active, ever-present Life and Love—standing on the frontlines—while also providing insight into the movement’s backstory.
- I want to give a backstory to each of these books
- Miscellaneous Writings is a collection of articles first published in the Journal and written by Mary Baker Eddy during 1883-1896 during a very active and demanding period of this growing Christian Science movement. Misc Writings was published in 1896.
These are some excerpts from a Reading Room News Report of Oct, 1988, “Behind the Books”
“SINCE Science and Health is the statement of Mary Baker Eddy's work as Discoverer, it might be said that Miscellaneous Writings illustrated her extraordinary role as Founder and Leader.
Most of the articles in Miscellaneous Writings were drawn from The Christian Science Journal. The years just prior to the founding of the Journal (in 1883) saw extreme challenges, not the least of which was the death of Gilbert Eddy in June, 1882. This period more than furnished her with "experience" from which to write. But far from showing signs of defeat, the years of 1883 - 1896, (though still unquestionably difficult), would mark years of significant progress. ….This period also brought to birth the Journal; the first Normal class, the formal organization of The Mother Church and the building of The Mother Church edifice; the ordaining of the Bible and Science and Health as pastor; and the publication of the Manual of The Mother Church. Also the notable 50th edition. The movement went from founding a church to establishing church in the future Com Pub, CSOs, CSPS, Board of Lectureship and other outward actions.
Many of the articles represented landmarks, not only for the Cause, but for its Leader. These articles were evidence that the founding work was progressing. They took up the extremely practical points of being a "working" Christian Scientist. Then, as now, it was a time for her followers to take to heart the sentiment expressed in her dedicatory statement: To LOYAL CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS in this and every land
Mrs Eddy writes about this book that can make the reading of Misc Writings our goal:
SLIDE 4 These pages, although a reproduction of what has been written, are still in advance of their time; and are richly rewarded by what they have hitherto achieved for the race. ...
May this volume be to the reader a graphic guide-book, pointing the path, dating the unseen, and enabling him to walk the untrodden in the hitherto unexplored fields of Science. … (Misc, pp. xi:5 8, 11–14)
A little more backstory on Miscellaneous Writings 1883 - 1896: The movement’s rapid growth caused Mrs Eddy, in March 1897, to publish this notice in the Journal.
SLIDE 5 NOTICE By MARY BAKER EDDYFrom the March 1897 issue of The Christian Science Journal
The Christian Scientists in the United States and Canada are hereby enjoined not to teach a student Christian Science for one year, commencing on March 14th, 1897.
"Miscellaneous Writings" is calculated to prepare the minds of all true thinkers to understand the Christian Science Text-book more correctly than a student can.
The Bible, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, and my other published works, are the only proper instructors for this hour. It shall be the duty of all Christian Scientists to circulate and to sell as many of these books as they can.
If a member of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, shall fail to obey this injunction, it will render him liable to lose his membership in this Church. MARY BAKER EDDY.
Annie M. Knott - one of the early workers in the movement - explains what was behind this temporary halt to Primary class instruction (From We Knew Mary Baker Eddy, Vol. 1 | page 185)
As early as [1885], …Many were claiming to teach Christian Science who had not been taught by Mrs. Eddy and who were using and recommending literature which was not in accordance with her teachings, so she published in the [November 1885] Journal a remarkable article ( now found on pages 370–371 of Miscellaneous Writings under the title “Blind Leaders.”) Error was doing its utmost to have people believe that they could be good Christian Scientists but not followers of Mrs. Eddy, and as she says in this article, “Yes; the good Shepherd does care for all, and His first care is to separate the sheep from the goats; and this is among the first lessons on healing taught by our great Master.”
It goes without saying that divine Truth makes this separation between [t]ruth and error in the thought of each individual who has become interested in Christian Science, and this involves a separation between [t]ruth and error at every step of the way. Some who were ill-prepared to practice or teach Christian Science had been going from place to place soliciting students. This really seemed to discredit for a time class teaching, and when at length, in March 1897, Mrs. Eddy’s book Miscellaneous Writings was given to the Field, some were heard to remark that they could have told Mrs. Eddy a good while ago that she had better stop all class teaching.
This book, Miscellaneous Writings, certainly marked a most important forward step for our Cause and for all loyal Christian Scientists. At the same time, Mrs. Eddy announced in the Journal of March 1897 that Christian Scientists should discontinue the work of teaching for a year ( as we have just read – or else they would lose their membership) …..This announcement was followed by a great stir in thought, yet loyal Scientists did not hesitate in obeying Mrs. Eddy’s injunction. Those who did otherwise actually separated themselves from the movement without any disciplinary action on the part of The Mother Church. In other words, it was an important step in the separation of the sheep from the goats.
A year from that time, a notice was published in the March 1898 issue of the Journal that those who had proven themselves good and faithful teachers might resume the work of teaching, and they were permitted to instruct two classes of not over thirty students each during the ensuing year. Thus, under divine guidance, our Leader cleared up the problem of class teaching for the time being. The March 1898 notice, signed by our Leader, [included this statement]: “May our God that is Love teach us this year and every year how to serve Him.”
So, the second book of your homework assignment: Rudimental Divine Science. First called Rudiments and Rules of Divine Science, it was published in November 1887. It was written in response to the growing number of questions clergy and others had about Christian Science. In many ways is like a booklet of questions and answers that lends itself as a ready reference when a short and quick reply is needed.
Rudimental Divine Science
In many ways, the latter part of the 1880s could be viewed as the period when Mary Baker Eddy was coming to grips in her writing with theological objections to Christian Science. That these objections were being voiced by clergymen, particularly those who had taken a class with her, and it made a prompt response to these objections even more important.
Among them was William Gill, a Methodist clergyman who, for a brief period, was assistant pastor of The Mother Church. Although Mrs. Eddy spent much time trying to help him and other clergy in her classes come to a full understanding of Christian Science and to overcome the convictions resulting from their training in orthodox theology, her efforts did not bear the expected fruit…..
Nevertheless, the questions about Christian Science that were being raised seemed to demand a published response — one that would help her followers in years to come. The result was three small books — No and Yes, Rudimental Divine Science, and Unity of Good.
Of these, Rudimental Divine Science is the shortest and in some ways very much like a booklet of questions and answers on Christian Science.
And it addresses many of the basic questions newcomers are likely to ask.
It opens, for instance, with "How would you define Christian Science?" "Is healinq the sick the whole of Science?" In reply, our Leader moves directly into the importance of overcoming sin, writing, "Healing physical sickness is the smallest part of Christian Science. ... The emphatic purpose of Christian Science is the healing of sin;..." (p. 2) ( More on this later!)
Responding in her own unique way to the orthodox theologians, she ties healing of sin directly to the mission of Christ Jesus. Instead of presenting the Master as having done our work for us, she brings out the specific demands we face if we wish to follow him and overcome sin in our own lives.……..The answer to her final question — "Is there more than one school of scientific healing?" — includes the very clear answer - NO! And includes a passage that is, perhaps, one of the most poignant and instructive in her writings: "The true understanding of Christian Science Mind-healing never originated in pride, rivalry, or the deification of self. The Discoverer of this Science could tell you of timidity, of self-distrust, of friendlessness, toil, agonies, and victories, under which she needed miraculous vision to sustain her, when taking the first footsteps in this Science." (p. 17) That she persisted in taking those steps and left for us her Church and her writings is proof of the "miraculous vision" that sustained her.(End of excerpts from “Behind the Books: Reading Room Notes of Oct 1988”)
The third book of your assignment is Christian Healer, Amplified edition: Just as Misc Writings was compiled with Journal articles designed to meet the crises that her young movement was facing – These hard-won lessons are highlighted in Mrs. Eddy’s bio, Christian Healer, and then in the updated, Christian Healer, Amplified Edition, providing a behind-the-scenes look at how Mrs. Eddy was led to lead the Christian Science movement and how she nurtured and supported others’ healing practices.
- From a historical account of her life, to a listing of her healings, and chapters of advice she has given to healers, the reading of it gives you an inside look at her life and her light. But more than that, this bio looks at the deeply held conviction and practice of Christian healing in a way that is compelling, tender, and true.
- Mary Trammel is the co-author with Robert Warneck, and Robert was interviewed about the insights gained while researching and writing.
- He shares: “What struck me while doing research for the book was how she viewed the public practice of Christian Science. …. . In reading letter after letter of her correspondence with her students, it became clear that Mrs. Eddy expected practitioners to love God to such an extent that they would sacrifice everything for the practice. For her, it was a clear-cut matter of leaving all for Christ.
- For Mrs. Eddy, the practice required nothing less than a 24/7 commitment to God, demonstrating His healing Science and living with the purity that it required. She knew that if a Christian Scientist had that, then God would take care of all the details of human living.” (Source JSH)
- As she wrote to her student James Neal: “To this glorious end I ask you to still press on, and have no other ambition or aim. A real scientific Healer is the highest position attainable in this sphere of being. Its altitude is far above a Teacher or preacher; it includes all that is divinely high and holy. . . . leave behind all else and strive for this great achievement. . . . Your aid to reach this goal is spiritualization. To achieve this you must have one God, one affection, one way, one Mind” (Mary Baker Eddy: Christian Healer, Amplified Edition, p. 189).
- You see, to Mary Baker Eddy the public practice of Christian Science was the most important activity on earth because she knew it would bring about the salvation of mankind.
“It is the task of the sturdy pioneer to hew the tall oak and to cut the rough granite. Future ages must declare what the pioneer has accomplished.” (Science and Health, p. vii:23) We are on the frontlines declaring for all time “what the pioneer has accomplished”!
On the frontlines - it is a safe and fortifying place to be - safe because we are forever guarded and guided by Love that never fails and Truth that is always the victor. We are empowered as we are engaged with the divine energies of Life each step of the way. In this invigorating sense, we may have challenges. We may even have to struggle to prove that Science is all it is. Mrs Eddy writes about these trials:
Trials teach mortals not to lean on a material staff, — a broken reed, which pierces the heart. We do not half remember this in the sunshine of joy and prosperity. Sorrow is salutary. Through great tribulation we enter the kingdom. Trials are proofs of God’s care. Spiritual development germinates not from seed sown in the soil of material hopes, but when these decay, Love propagates anew the higher joys of Spirit, which have no taint of earth. Each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love.(Science and Health, p. 66:6) ( More on this later)
There is a special joy in knowing that one is gaining constantly in the knowledge of Truth and divine Love. ... Of this, we rest assured, that every trial of our faith in God makes us stronger and firmer in understanding and obedience.(Miscellaneous Writings, p. 160:10 11, 13)
So I hope that reading the two books specifically dedicated to loyal Christian Scientists, and knowing more about the early movement gives you this understanding of the roots of this movement and how it is propelled today by all loyal students of Christian Science throughout the generations. That there is this real feel of rallying together under Mrs. Eddy’s miraculous vision of salvation for all mankind. Under this vision, we are, rooted in conviction, quietly rising with strength and grace to a high calling. The struggles, the victories – we are all in this together, sharing the joy as we set out to sharpen our healing practice and ignite in our hearts an even more healing and transformative love for God, our Leader, and for all humanity.
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