I scarcely know whether As Written: wether I should write you or not, and yet I feel that you would like to know how we progress.

I have not seen Mrs. Baird since I last wrote you. It has seemed that Herod was king here and we must remain silent a little. It is so hard to keep from hearing, and equally difficult to bridle my own tongue. Our earnest desire is to make just the right move. A friend of mine, a Mr. McLane inquired about the K. of P.Editorial Note: Knights of Pythias hall, and took me up to see it. It is an elegant As Written: elegent hall carpeted anew with Wilton carpet and will seat about 400 people. It is said to be the best hall in the city and is central to all street Ry.Editorial Note: Railway lines. The location cannotAs Written:can not be bettered. We can get it at 12Editorial Note: $12.00 in 1893 is the equivalent of $428.07 in 2025. to 20 dollarsEditorial Note: $20.00 in 1893 is the equivalent of $713.45 in 2025. per month for a few hours Sunday. Mr. McLane who is a lawyer and a member of this lodgeEditorial Note: A lodge of the Knights of Pythias. Founded in 1864, the Knights of Pythia was the first American fraternal order chartered by Congress. is anxious that I should take this and not wait for these people. But I cannotAs Written:can not conscientiously do this yet. It scarcely seems courtesy for me to start a society and myself as speaker since I have not had even an invitation to speak from those who represent the work here. I shrink from public service and do not care for position and would not seek one.

But I feel like Paul As Written: Pauld that God calls me to preach to the hungry ones who are famishing for the Truth and are only waiting to be bidden to the feast "Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel."I Cor 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! I do not care to teach these people except to lead them to love each other more. But God has given to me the ability to simplify the Truth to beginners and I long to be at my Fathers businessLuke 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? . To seize the field and make myself leader seems a bitter thing for me, and yet if I could know it is right to do this, I should not hesitate. We are not at all discouraged though it seems very dark at times. We are seeking to trust more in Love and to have no fear; for we know that Love is the only Intelligence and the only Provision. Your article "Things and Thoughts"Editorial Note: “Things and Thoughts” by Mary Baker Eddy was an article published in the June 1893 issue of The Christian Science Journal. is grand. I only wish we could live it. But we can, for Love sustains us.

I have tried to apply the "Christian Science Statute"Editorial Note: “A Christian Science Statute” by Mary Baker Eddy was an article published in the June 1893 issue ofThe Christian Science Journal. to myself. I dissolved an engagement of nearly five years standing with the conviction that it was unscientific to marry.

Though the dissolution As Written: disolution was mutual, my intended, a faithful student, agreeing As Written: aggreeing for my sake, yet the demonstration has seemed too As Written: to much for her.

And my grief for her added to my own weakness of personal love has troubled me sorely. I sometimes wonder if some ScientistsEditorial Note: Christian Scientists are not trying to be absolute when they are only able to "Suffer it to be so now"Matt 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. Then too, though I am convinced that total abstinence from the unnecessary use of matter should be practiced, yet I wonder if the total abolition of marriage while chastity in thought is not attained could be considered the lesser evil. But pardon this speculation. I only wish I could understand these question as my teacher understands them. But I shall try to practice self-abnegation As Written: selfabnegation and patiently wait.