Chapter 9 — Letters to Branch Churches

• First Church of Christ, Scientist, Philadelphia, Pa.
• First Church of Christ, Scientist, Washington, D. C.
• First Church of Christ, Scientist, London, England
• First Church of Christ, Scientist, New York, N. Y.
• Second Church of Christ, Scientist, New York, N. Y.
• First Church of Christ, Scientist, Oakland, Cal.
• First Church of Christ, Scientist, Washington, D. C.
• First Church of Christ, Scientist, London, England
• First Church of Christ, Scientist, Columbus, Ohio
• Third Church of Christ, Scientist, London, England
• First Church of Christ, Scientist, Milwaukee, Wis.
• A Telegram and Mrs Eddy’s Reply
• First Church of Christ, Scientist, Sydney, Australia
• First Church of Christ, Scientist, Edinburgh, Scotland
• The Committees in Conference, Chicago, Ill.
• Comment on Letter from First Church of Christ, Scientist, Ottawa, Ontario

Page 199

1      FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST,
       PHILADELPHIA, PA.

3     MY BELOVED STUDENTS AND BRETHREN: — I rejoice
       with thee. Blessed art thou. In place of dark-
       ness, light hath sprung up. The reward of thy hands
6     is given thee to-day. May God say this of the church
       in Philadelphia: I have naught against thee.

       FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST,
       WASHINGTON, D. C.

       Beloved Brethren: — The Board of Directors and
       Trustees of this church will please accept my grateful
12    acknowledgment of the receipt of their Christian canon
       pertaining to the hour. The joint resolutions contained
       therein show explicitly the attitude of this church in our
15    capital towards me and towards the Cause of Christian
       Science, so dear to our hearts and to all loyal lovers of
       God and man.

18    This year, standing on the verge of the twentieth cen-
       tury, has sounded the tocsin of a higher hope, of strength-
       ened hands, of unveiled hearts, of fourfold unity between
21    the churches of our denomination in this and in other

Page 200

1     lands. Religious liberty and individual rights under the
       Constitution of our nation are rapidly advancing, avow-
3     ing and consolidating the genius of Christian Science.

       Heaven be praised for the signs of the times. Let “the
       heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing;” our
6     trust is in the Almighty God, who ruleth in heaven and
       upon earth, and none can stay His hand or say, “What
       doest thou?”

       FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST,
       LONDON, ENGLAND

       My Beloved Brethren: — The chain of Christian unity,
12    unbroken, stretches across the sea and rises upward to the
       realms of incorporeal Life — even to the glorious beati-
       tudes of divine Love. Striving to be good, to do good, and
15    to love our neighbor as ourself, man’s soul is safe; man
       emerges from mortality and receives his rights inalienable
       — the love of God and man. What holds us to the Chris-
18    tian life is the seven-fold shield of honesty, purity, and
       unselfed love. I need not say this to you, for you know
       the way in Christian Science.

21    Pale, sinful sense, at work to lift itself on crumbling
       thrones of justice by pulling down its benefactors,
       will tumble from this scheme into the bottomless
24    abyss of self-damnation, there to relinquish its league
       with evil. Wide yawns the gap between this course
       and Christian Science.

27    God spare this plunge, lessen its depths, save sin-
       ners and fit their being to recover its connection with
       its divine Principle, Love. For this I shall continue to
30    pray.

Page 201

1     God is blessing you, my beloved students and breth-
       ren. Press on towards the high calling whereunto
3     divine Love has called us and is fast fulfilling the
       promises.

       Satan is unchained only for a season, as the Revelator
6     foresaw, and love and good will to man, sweeter than a
       sceptre, are enthroned now and forever.

       FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, NEW YORK, N. Y.

       My Beloved Brethren: — Your Soul-full words and song
       repeat my legacies in blossom. Such elements of friend-
12    ship, faith, and hope repossess us of heaven. I thank
       you out of a full heart. Even the crown of thorns, which
       mocked the bleeding brow of our blessed Lord, was over-
15    crowned with a diadem of duties done. So let us meekly
       meet, mercifully forgive, wisely ponder, and lovingly
       scan the convulsions of mortal mind, that its sudden
18    sallies may help us, not to a start, but to a tenure of
       unprecarious joy. Rich hope have I in him who says in
       his heart: —

21       I will listen for Thy voice,
       Lest my footsteps stray;
       I will follow and rejoice
24            All the rugged way.

       SECOND CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, NEW YORK, N. Y.

27    Beloved Brethren: — Please accept a line from me in lieu
       of my presence on the auspicious occasion of the open-
       ing of your new church edifice. Hope springs exultant

Page 202

1     on this blest morn. May its white wings overshadow this
       white temple and soar above it, pointing the path from
3     earth to heaven — from human ambition, fear, or distrust
       to the faith, meekness, and might of him who hallowed
       this Easter morn.

6     Now may his salvation draw near, for the night is far
       spent and the day is at hand. In the words of St. Paul:
       “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom
9     tribute is due; custom to whom custom; . . . honor to
       whom honor. Owe no man any thing, but to love one
       another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the
12    law.”

       May the benediction of “Well done, good and faithful,”
       rest worthily on the builders of this beautiful temple, and
15    the glory of the resurrection morn burst upon the spiritual
       sense of this people with renewed vision, infinite mean-
       ings, endless hopes, and glad victories in the onward and
18    upward chain of being.

       FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, OAKLAND, CAL.

21    Beloved Brethren: — I thank you for the words of cheer
       and love in your letter. The taper unseen in sunlight
       cheers the darkness. My work is reflected light, — a
24    drop from His ocean of love, from the underived glory,
       the divine Esse. From the dear tone of your letter,
       you must be bringing your sheaves into the store-
27    house. Press on. The way is narrow at first, but it
       expands as we walk in it. “Herein is my Father glori-
       fied, that ye bear much fruit.” God bless this vine of
30    His planting.

Page 203

       FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, WASHINGTON, D. C.

3     Beloved Brethren: — I have nothing new to communi-
       cate; all is in your textbooks. Pray aright and demon-
       strate your prayer; sing in faith. Know that religion
6     should be distinct in our consciousness and life, but not
       clamorous for worldly distinction. Church laws which
       are obeyed without mutiny are God’s laws. Goodness
9     and philanthropy begin with work and never stop working.
       All that is worth reckoning is what we do, and the best of
       everything is not too good, but is economy and riches.
12    Be great not as a grand obelisk, nor by setting up to be
       great, — only as good. A spiritual hero is a mark for
       gamesters, but he is unutterably valiant, the summary of
15    suffering here and of heaven hereafter. Our thoughts
       beget our actions; they make us what we are. Dis-
       honesty is a mental malady which kills its possessor; it
18    is a sure precursor that its possessor is mortal. A deep
       sincerity is sure of success, for God takes care of it. God
       bless this dear church, and I am sure that He will if it is
21    ready for the blessing.

       FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, LONDON, ENGLAND

24    Beloved Students: — You have laid the corner-stone of
       your church edifice impressively, and buried immortal
       truths in the bosom of earth safe from all chance of being
27    challenged.

       You whose labors are doing so much to benefit mankind
       will not be impatient if you have not accomplished all you

Page 204

1     desire, nor will you be long in doing more. My faith in
       God and in His followers rests in the fact that He is infinite
3     good, and that He gives His followers opportunity to use
       their hidden virtues, to put into practice the power which
       lies concealed in the calm and which storms awaken to
6     vigor and to victory.

       It is only by looking heavenward that mutual friend-
       ships such as ours can begin and never end. Over sea
9     and over land, Christian Science unites its true followers
       in one Principle, divine Love, that sacred ave and essence
       of Soul which makes them one in Christ.

       FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, COLUMBUS, OHIO

       IN REPLY TO A LETTER ANNOUNCING THE PURPOSE OF THE
15    CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS TO PRACTISE WITHOUT FEES IN COM-
       PLIANCE WITH THE STATE LAWS

       Beloved Brethren: — I congratulate you tenderly on the
18    decision you have made as to the present practice of
       Christian Science in your State, and thoroughly recom-
       mend it under the circumstances. I practised gratui-
21    tously when starting this great Cause, which was then the
       scoff of the age.

       The too long treatment of a disease, the charging of
24    the sick whom you have not healed a full fee for treat-
       ment, the suing for payment, hypnotism, and the resent-
       ing of injuries, are not the fruits of Christian Science,
27    while returning good for evil, loving one’s enemies, and
       overcoming evil with good, — these are its fruits;
       and its therapeutics, based as aforetime on this divine
30    Principle, heals all disease.

Page 205

1     We read in the Scriptures: “There is therefore now no
       condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk
3     not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” “Stand fast
       therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us
       free.” “Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless
6     as doves.”

       Wisdom is won through faith, prayer, experience; and
       God is the giver.

9        “God moves in a mysterious way
       His wonders to perform;
       He plants His footsteps in the sea
12            And rides upon the storm.”

       THIRD CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, LONDON, ENGLAND

15    Beloved Brethren: — Love and unity are hieroglyphs of
       goodness, and their philosophical impetus, spiritual
       Aesculapius and Hygeia, saith, “As the thought is, so is the
18    deed; as the thing made is good or bad, so is its maker.”
       This idealism connects itself with spiritual understanding,
       and so makes God more supreme in consciousness, man
21    more His likeness, friends more faithful, and enemies
       harmless. Scholastic theology at its best touches but the
       hem of Christian Science, shorn of all personality, wholly
24    apart from human hypotheses, matter, creed and dogma,
       the lust of the flesh and the pride of power. Christian
       Science is the full idea of its divine Principle, God; it is
27    forever based on Love, and it is demonstrated by perfect
       rules; it is unerring. Hence health, holiness, immortality,
       are its natural effects. The practitioner may fail, but the
30    Science never.

Page 206

1     Philosophical links, which would unite dead mat-
       ter with animate, Spirit with matter and material
3     means, prayer with power and pride of position, hinder
       the divine influx and lose Science,— lose the Principle
       of divine metaphysics and the tender grace of spiritual
6     understanding, that love-linked holiness which heals
       and saves.

       Schisms, imagination, and human beliefs are not
9     parts of Christian Science; they darken the discern-
       ment of Science; they divide Truth’s garment and cast
       lots for it.

12    Seeing a man in the moon, or seeing a person in the
       picture of Jesus, or believing that you see an individual
       who has passed through the shadow called death, is
15    not seeing the spiritual idea of God; but it is seeing
       a human belief, which is far from the fact that portrays
       Life, Truth, Love.

18    May these words of the Scriptures comfort you: “The
       Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God
       thy glory.” “The city had no need of the sun, neither
21    of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did
       lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” “Ye
       are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
24    nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the
       praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into
       His marvellous light.” “Giving thanks unto the Father,
27    which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inherit-
       ance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from
       the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the
30    kingdom of His dear Son.” “Ye were sometimes dark-
       ness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children
       of light.”

Page 207

       FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, MILWAUKEE, WIS.

3     Beloved Brethren: — Your communication is gratefully
       received. Press on! The wrath of men shall praise God,
       and the remainder thereof He will restrain.

       A TELEGRAM AND MRS. EDDY’S REPLY

       Beloved Leader: — The representatives of churches and
       societies of Christian Science in Missouri, in annual
9     conference assembled, unite in loving greetings to you,
       and pledge themselves to strive more earnestly, day
       by day, for the clearer understanding and more perfect
12    manifestation of the truth which you have unfolded to
       the world, and by which sin and sickness are destroyed
       and life and immortality brought to light.

15                    Yours in loving obedience,
       CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES OF CHRISTIAN
       SCIENCE IN MISSOURI

18    ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI,
       January 5, 1909

       Mrs. Eddy’s Reply

21    “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: . . . enter
       thou into the joy of thy lord” — the satisfaction of
       meeting and mastering evil and defending good, thus
24    predicating man upon divine Science. (See Science
       and Health, p. 227.)

       CHESTNUT HILL, MASS,
27       January 6, 1909

Page 208

       FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

3     Beloved Brethren: — Accept my deep thanks for your
       highly interesting letter. It would seem as if the whole
       import of Christian Science had been mirrored forth by
6     your loving hearts, to reflect its heavenly rays over all the
       earth.

       BOX G, BROOKLINE, MASS.,
9        July 15, 1909

       FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

12    Beloved Christian Scientists: — Like the gentle dews of
       heaven and the refreshing breeze of morn, comes your
       dear letter to my waiting heart, — waiting in due expec-
15    tation of just such blessedness, crowning the hope and
       hour of divine Science, than which nothing can exceed
       its ministrations of God to man.

18    I congratulate you on the prospect of erecting a church
       building, wherein to gather in praise and prayer for the
       whole human family.

21    BOX G, BROOKLINE, MASS.,
       November 2, 1909

       THE COMMITTEES IN CONFERENCE, CHICAGO, ILL.

24    The Committees: — God bless the courageous, far-seeing
       committees in conference for their confidence in His
       ways and means of reaching the very acme of Christian
27    Science.

Page 209

       COMMENT ON LETTER FROM
       FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, OTTAWA, ONTARIO

3     God will abundantly bless this willing and obedient
       church with the rich reward of those that seek and serve
       Him. No greater hope have we than in right thinking
6     and right acting, and faith in the blessing of fidelity,
       courage, patience, and grace.