Article October 12, 1907 Issue

A CLERGYMAN'S LETTER TO MRS. EDDY

with contributions from William G. Schoppe, W. G. S

Webster, Mass., Sept. 29, 1907. Mrs. Mary Baker G. Eddy.

Dear Leader:—For nearly a year I have desired to express to you my deep gratitude for the priceless blessing God has sent through you into our family circle: the thought of your busy life has caused me to refrain,—which I feel I can no longer do. For upwards of twenty years I have been in the ministry, most of that time in the Congregational church, but more recently in the Universalist, because of what seemed to me a broader outlook. During all the time there has been a longing for something not realized; life seemed illusive, the long effort to know God through mortal faculties had failed and reacted. Divine Love was shadowed by the relentless problem of evil: immortality might be only a pleasant dream. The Bible was no longer regarded as a practical guide in daily life; only in a vague manner had its truths been tested in the modern world; the record of the Master's mighty works for humanity might be largely legendary. The fire of early enthusiasm had died out of religion, and even the Church appeared hopelessly bound by materialism; its doctrine of "The Divine Immanence" seemed to me to submerge the infinite Spirit in a material universe.

One year ago I was awakened by a thrilling family experience. My wife had for years been considered in failing health. A long hospital experience had brought little relief; at last long-standing troubles culminated, and specialists, after examination, pronounced her condition incurable. Our little family circle sat perfectly helpless and watched the gathering shadows; night appeared to be approaching when a friend came and advised us to try Christian Science. We knew little of it, but were willing to try it as a "last resort." In the practitioner we found a faith, hope, and love which seemed like the spirit of early Christianity, but which we supposed could find no place in this crusted modern world. Within two days a change took place, so striking that we asked, "Can this thing be of God?" The improvement continued until the incurable troubles had disappeared, and instead there is health, strength, and happiness.

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