Letters to our Leader

with contributions from Eleanor Noyes Orr, Albert E. Miller

Evanston, Ill., November 13, 1904.

My Dear Mrs. Eddy:—My heart so overflows with gratitude to-night, that even at the risk of trespassing upon your valuable time, I feel I must write you. It is nearly eight years since Christian Science rescued me from a fate which I dreaded more than death,—insanity.

I had suffered for years from insomnia and extreme nervousness, and as my trouble was thought to be hereditary, it seemed as though there was no escape for me. I had been under the care of eminent physicians in Switzerland and in Paris, and they had exhausted all means at their command, but without avail. During all this dark period my one unfailing refuge was my faith and trust in God, and He does not leave His trusting ones without relief. As my reward, Christian Science came to me with its wonderful light, and has truly transformed my life. From being a timid, suffering, helpless woman, I have become a strong and vigorous one; my executive ability has been greatly augmented and broadened; my powers of endurance greatly increased; the depression which in the past had so often weighed me down, has been lifted, and now every day is a happy one, because I feel that I have the strength to accomplish what I undertake.

The study of Christian Science I find most beautiful; even a slight understanding of it is priceless, because it leads on into greater light. To say that I love Christian Science and its Discoverer, expresses only in part what my heart longs to utter. In the words of our text-book, "Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks" (Science and Health, p. 3). No privilege could be so precious, no honor so great, as that of following patiently, faithfully, trustingly in your footsteps as you have followed the Master; and what could bring such glorious rewards! With a thankful heart I can say in the words of quaint old Samuel Rutherford, "God forgive them that raise an ill report upon the sweet cross of Christ; it is but our weak and dim eyes that look but to the black side, that make us mistake; those that can take that crabbed tree handsomely upon their backs, and fasten it on cannily shall find it such a burden as wings unto a bird, or sails to a ship."

Truly could the Saviour say, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." My pathway in Science has sometimes seemed thorny, as I have seemingly had bitter opposition to meet, but all these experiences have taught me valuable lessons which I could not have spared, and I am happy in knowing that all is well, for "The Lord God omnipotent reigneth."

With reverent, grateful love, your follower,
Eleanor Noyes Orr.

Philadelphia, November 18, 1904.

Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy, Concord, N. H.

Dear Leader:—Two little happenings of the last few days may contain some atom of interest for you, to whose labors is due all Christian Science achievement. To-day a young man, a splendid fellow, visited me, and in talking with him I learned that he had been practising law down in Texas, but had become imbued with the idea that he ought to study for the Presbyterian ministry. He came North last week with the intention of matriculating at Princeton. Meanwhile he heard of Christian Science and bought a copy of your work, Science and Health. Through reading it he was healed, uplifted, and convinced of the truth of Christian Science.

Yesterday I learned that a newspaper reporter for one of our big papers here, who has, from time to time, been engaged to write up sensational stories on Christian Science, has become a convert to our faith, and is now earnestly studying your book. The returns from the recent election show that Judge Love of this state, who, two years ago, rendered a most outrageous decision in a Christian Science church charter case, was defeated for re-election by his own party, and Mr. Williams, the lawyer who helped us win our fight in the legislature, has been elected judge for his county.

These things cheer us on in our efforts "to heal and to save."

Lovingly yours,
Albert E. Miller.

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