Letters to Our Leader

with contributions from William B. Johnson, William Lyman Johnson, Nellie Archer Aley, Martha L. Strang

Boston, Mass., July 10, 1906.

Reverend Mary Baker G. Eddy,

Pleasant View, Concord, N. H.

Beloved Leader and Teacher:—We, the Directors of your Church, send you loving greetings and congratulations upon the completion of the magnificent Extension of The Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, and we again express our thankful appreciation of your wise counsel, timely instruction, and words of encouragement when they were so much needed.

We acknowledge with many thanks the valuable services rendered to this Board by the members of the Businss Committee, who were ever ready to assist us in every way possible; also the services of other members of the Church, who gave freely of their time and efforts when there was urgent need of both.

We do not forget that it was through you we were enabled to secure the services of Mr. Whitcomb as builder in the early days of the construction of the church, and of Mr. Beman in an advisory capacity in the later days; for this, and for their valuable services, we are grateful.

Lovingly and gratefully your students.

THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
By William B. Johnson, Secretary.

Boston, Mass., June 2, 1906.

Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy,

Pleasant View, Concord, N. H.

Beloved Leader and Teacher:—Under another cover I have sent you one dozen copies of the new edition of the Communion Hymn, for low voice, which you may desire to use in some way. While writing to you I feel that I must say a few words relative to the amendment of the By-law, "Music in The Mother Church." Easter Sunday I was in New York, and was the guest that evening of Mr. Gibson, the organist of the Brick Pres-byterian Church on Fifth Avenue. This church, as you probably know, is one of the wealthiest and most fashionable in that city, and the music last year cost the church over fourteen thousand dollars. The church did me the honor to produce, Easter evening, a composition of mine, for violin, flute, violoncello, harp, and organ, entitled "Andacht," and the artists were the best that money could procure. The musical services at this church were elaborate, and under the leadership of the organist, Mr. Gibson, who by the way is one of the most talented in the country, they were undoubtedly the most finished and varied in the city, if not in the country; but before the last note was reached I was weary of the sound of music, and at the close I was devoutly thankful that we had a By-law and an order of service for The Mother Church which prohibits a great musical display at any time. Our simple, beautiful service seemed like a breath of fresh, pure air after being in the heavy atmosphere of a hot-house.

Mr. Gibson is very much interested in the music I have written for your poems, and, as a keen analyst of the musical schools, he said that as you had, through your teachings, brought about a new literature, a new church, a new manner of thinking and of living, you had also brought forth a different school of music,—one that is compatible, and is expressive, as far as music will go, with the thought of your writings. It may please you to know that Mr. Gibson desires to give the songs that I have written for your poems at his church when the opportunity offers, and I am further pleased to be able to state that this expression of willingness was not upon my request, but was spontaneous with him.

So long as music is needed for your poems, and that it serves for the present as a channel for the entrance into thought of your healing words, I am glad that I have been able to serve you. I am pleased that excellent training and experience have given me insight and power to do the work set before me. Christian Science is not dependent on music; I realize this more and more every day, and this realization makes me grateful, beyond expression, for the courageous step you have taken relative to the amount and the quality of the music in the church.

Very lovingly yours,
William Lyman Johnson.

Bloomington, Ind., June 21, 1906.

My Dear Mrs. Eddy:—Since attending the dedication and Communion service, I have wished to express my gratitude for your loving service to the world and for the great blessing Christian Science has been to me.

This was my first visit to The Mother Church of Christ, Scientist, and as I became a member this year, my first Communion service. I cannot express how my heart overflows with love to God, and to you, our dear Leader.

I had once desired to see you personally, but since listening to your message, and feeling your spiritual presence, I returned home satisfied, with a stronger desire to grow more spiritual and less material, that I may find the pearl of great price hidden from the material sight but revealed to those who worship in "spirit and in truth." May the Father's tender love guard and bless you.

Yours in love and truth,
Nellie Archer Aley.

Boston, Mass., July 6, 1906.

Dear Mrs. Eddy:—Since my return to Boston I have realized what a privilege and pleasure was mine last Tuesday, when you so lovingly and gractiously gave me of your precious time, and I thank you for it.

Your words, "God is very good," have come to me again and again, and my prayer is to demonstrate that this is true to those who come to me for help. I understand as never before how great is your love for all mankind and I comprehend in a degree the unselfishness that has made you truly our Leader.

With very grateful appreciation, I am Lovingly and obediently yours,
Martha L. Strang.

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