Touches of grace

“How could you write to her when you know she is doing all she can to harm you and not hiding it but talking about it?” Clara inquired. This question was posed to Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, by one of her faithful students, in reference to a letter sent to a teacher of this Science. The letter invited the teacher to visit on either of two days and included a stamped telegraph form for ease of reply.

Mrs. Eddy acted with great grace. Even though the woman never responded, Mrs. Eddy put on her “special best dress” in case she came; elicited Clara’s promise to treat the woman “kindly, lovingly, just heavenly!” if she arrived while Mrs. Eddy was out on her afternoon drive; and then waited late into the evening until it was certain that the hoped-for visitor wasn’t going to turn up. At that point Mrs. Eddy’s only regret was for the saving, comforting benediction of love that the teacher had denied herself by ignoring the invitation (see We Knew Mary Baker Eddy, Expanded Edition, Vol. II, pp. 211–213).

Everything Mrs. Eddy did in this experience was an expression of the grace she describes in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: “What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds” (p. 4).