Accession: 020A.09.035
Editorial Title: M. Bettie Bell to Mary Baker Eddy, May 4, 1888
Author: M. Bettie Bell 
Recipient: Mary Baker Eddy 
Date: May 4, 1888
Manuscript Description: Handwritten by M. Bettie Bell on unlined paper from Chicago, Illinois.
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020A.09.035
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Reproduced from the archive of The Mary Baker Eddy Library
My precious Teacher-

So fleeting is time & the As Written: thee days are galloping As Written: gallopping by and soon we will welcome the dear ones for our convention– We hope all will come nothing but A. M- can hinder and that cannot unless they let it– We hope our Teacher will come if circumstances do seem against us.

My eyes have been opened to A. M since last letter to you- and I see where the Mal's have been busy– I am sorry I troubled you about the Institute- I found out Mr- Day did not even know a change As Written: chage was meditated and until advertisement As Written: advertizement came out on his Sermon he did not know– Mrs. L. came to see me to consult about the change in Institute saying Mr- Day had sent in his resignation & it all came out that Mr- Day sent word by a Student his engagements were such he could not go to Hyde Park– Mrs. L- went to work had it all changed without consulting him & we neither of us knew until the advertisement As Written: advertizemnt came out- She scolded me so without cause every time I saw her- it almost drove me out- I went to see her yesterday morningAs Written:mornig & told her the whole thing was the effect of A. M- to prevent As Written: prevnt a united and successful work and pointed out a few things and told her how I had treated for it– She agreed with me, felt very sorry, sent for Mr. Day, explained and I hope now we will have the better of the enemy and rise in the Truth– If it was not that we know the atrocity of A. M how could we be patient and charitable with mortal mindAs Written:mortal-mind It seems to me I would rather combat any other error of A. M than lying or being falsely accused- murdering seems mild in comparison with the claim of a lie opposed to Truth. Surely we should be thankful for every advance and every error that is uncovered. These things make me so strong and I am ready to fight if am awakened to a blinding argument– I hold the thought all the time there is no Source for argument but God – and if a blind does seem to be, I know like the Shunmmite Mother – "All is well."II Kings 4:1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto
Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.
II Kings 4:2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil. II Kings 4:3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. II Kings 4:4 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full. II Kings 4:5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. II Kings 4:6 And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. II Kings 4:7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest. II Kings 4:8 ¶And it fell on a day, that
Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
II Kings 4:9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. II Kings 4:10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. II Kings 4:11 And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there. II Kings 4:12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him. II Kings 4:13 And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people. II Kings 4:14 And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. II Kings 4:15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. II Kings 4:16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. II Kings 4:17 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life. II Kings 4:18 ¶And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. II Kings 4:19 And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. II Kings 4:20 And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. II Kings 4:21 And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out. II Kings 4:22 And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again. II Kings 4:23 And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to-day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well. II Kings 4:24 Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee. II Kings 4:25 So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite: II Kings 4:26 Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well. II Kings 4:27 And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. II Kings 4:28 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me? II Kings 4:29 Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child. II Kings 4:30 And the mother of the child said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her. II Kings 4:31 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. II Kings 4:32 And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. II Kings 4:33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord. II Kings 4:34 And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. II Kings 4:35 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. II Kings 4:36 And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. II Kings 4:37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.
In belief there As Written: therre never seemed such dearth in the land– The Students are working but to the seeming the fruits are not perceptibleAs Written:perceptable – but we know there is no dearth in the land of love– and the land flows with milk & honey–

Mrs. J. B. Morford of

71 St George St–

St Thomas

OntarioEditorial Note: Ontario, Canada

Saw one of your booksEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy I made a present to a year ago to my Husbands Aunt– It had laid there As Written: their a year untouched- She while visiting, read & studiedAs Written:studdyed & copiedAs Written:coppyed, and so delighted she came to see me enquiring– I made her a present of S. & H.Editorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy Unity & GoodEditorial Note: Unity of Good by Mary Baker Eddy, Journals & pamphletsAs Written:phamphlets & she said, she was going to do good and wanted to StudyAs Written:Studdy – She is a bright woman very spiritual can afford to go to you and I advised her to go to BostonEditorial Note: Boston, Massachusetts to the next primary, She gave me subscription for Journal and is going into ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science with a heart of earnestness – So if you hear you may know she is all right & ready and a fine woman– Thus it is "to cast the bread upon the water's, it returns after many days"Eccl 11:1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. – I feel that every shock sent out by A. M. lengthens our golden rod and staffPs 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. – but how it makes us loathes the sense As Written: sence of evil and how beautiful in Unity and Good to know there is not even a claim–

Our normal class meetings are interesting and we do no mental work, as we understood – it was not approved by you – I have had my Students every Monday Afternoon and ask them questions from Science & HealthEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy and Unity and Good – and they are delighted– One of them just came in and told me they were all so happy and bright & they would not miss a lesson As Written: lessn for anythingAs Written:any thing– They say they see so much more in Unity and Good than they could do by studying As Written: studdying it alone– I wanted to help them brighten them to enjoy the association and I am so happy in my work. Unity and Good is a "Pearl of great price"Matt 13:45 ¶Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Matt 13:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. – The purest and the Sweetest – and how could we ever thank you for it dear Teacher —

Miss Lane & Mrs. Purple teach the children's As Written: childrens Sabbath school– It is three blocks from us– they enjoy it so much – and Elsie says Mother Miss Lane is the sweetest one yet and she preaches beautiful – if only Mr- Day would preach like Miss Lane I could understand it so good"– I explained the difference and how Mr- Day had to meet the thought of his Church members and Miss Lane was meeting the pure simple thought of the little Children– We are all amused at the wise sayings and the Science they know. If the whole world had the faith of these Babies of our church our labor indeed would be light and full of Love- I am so happy to tell you my Brother'sEditorial Note: J. Newton Stone or Kinzea Stone physical condition is at last normal– He has put aside his stick and has no prop now I hope but God – It seemed to me at times a tedious demonstration – but am thankful that always hope stepped in and with its soft assurance be guide me on with the words "Be not weary in well doingGal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. – He is going to be all right now and I trust the chastening will fit him for higher work– He is so firm in Science so grounded - but his belief is he is so slow to learn so thick headed as he calls it – but I remind Him of Mind and ask him where in Mind do we find slothfulness or any such thing— Am sorry to learn Dr- & Mrs. Fluno left Lex–Editorial Note: Lexington, Kentucky for CaliforniaAs Written:Cal. They won't be here to the Association and I hope it is a good move – but I regret it – Strong work needs to be done in KentuckyAs Written:Ky—

We hope to hear good news about Convention in May NumberAs Written:No- and prosperity must be ours As Written: our's for God is talking to them far and near and drawing them unto Him – Mrs. Larminie is getting moved and will be so glad when she gets settled so we can be about our work without interruption– She is going to be delighted with her situation – It is just two blocks from me – and where it is convenient As Written: convenent for us all to get together — We shall press on and do all we can–

Hoping for good news

Am faithfully & lovingly Yours As Written: Your's
M. Bettie Bell -
020A.09.035
-
Reproduced from the archive of The Mary Baker Eddy Library
My precious Teacher-

So fleeting is time & thee Corrected: the days are gallopping Corrected: galloping by and soon we will welcome [?] Unclear or illegible  the dear ones for our convention– We hope all will come nothing but A. M- can hinder and that cannot unless they let it– We hope our Teaacher will come if circumstances do seem against us.

My eyes have been opened to A. M since last letter to you- and I see where the Mal's have been busy– I am sorry I troubled you about the Institute-We I found out Mr- Day did not even know a chage Corrected: change was meditated and until advertizement Corrected: advertisement came out on his Sermon he did not know– Mrs. L. came to see me to consult about the change in Institute saying Mr- Day had sent in his re [?] Unclear or illegible signation & it all came out that Mr- Day sent word by a Student his en [?] Unclear or illegible gagements were such he cou [?] Unclear or illegible ld not go to Hyde Park– Mrs. L- went to work had it all changed without consulting him & we nei [?] Unclear or illegible ther of us knew until the advertizemnt Corrected: advertisement came out- She scol [?] Unclear or illegible ded me so without cause every time I saw her- it almost drove me out- I went to see her yesterday mornigCorrected:morning & told her the whole thing was the effect of A. M- to prevnt Corrected: prevent a united and successful work and pointed out a few things and told her how I had treated for it– She agree [?] Unclear or illegible d with me, felt very sorry, sent for Mr. Day, explained and I hope now we will have the better of the enemy and rise in the Truth– If it was not that we know the atrocity of A. M how could we be patient and charitable with mortal-mindCorrected:mortal mind It seems to me I would rather combat any other error of A. M thatn lying or being falsely accused- murdering seems mild in comparison with the claim of a lie opposed to Truth. Surely we should be thankful for every advance and every error that is uncovered. These things make me so strong and I am ready to fight if am awakened to a blinding argument– I hold the thought all the time there is no Source for argument but God – and if a blind does seem to be, I know like the Shunmmite Mother – "All is well."II Kings 4:1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto
Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.
II Kings 4:2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil. II Kings 4:3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. II Kings 4:4 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full. II Kings 4:5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. II Kings 4:6 And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. II Kings 4:7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest. II Kings 4:8 ¶And it fell on a day, that
Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
II Kings 4:9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. II Kings 4:10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. II Kings 4:11 And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there. II Kings 4:12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him. II Kings 4:13 And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people. II Kings 4:14 And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. II Kings 4:15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. II Kings 4:16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. II Kings 4:17 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life. II Kings 4:18 ¶And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. II Kings 4:19 And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. II Kings 4:20 And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. II Kings 4:21 And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out. II Kings 4:22 And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again. II Kings 4:23 And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to-day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well. II Kings 4:24 Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee. II Kings 4:25 So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite: II Kings 4:26 Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well. II Kings 4:27 And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. II Kings 4:28 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me? II Kings 4:29 Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child. II Kings 4:30 And the mother of the child said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her. II Kings 4:31 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. II Kings 4:32 And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. II Kings 4:33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord. II Kings 4:34 And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. II Kings 4:35 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. II Kings 4:36 And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. II Kings 4:37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.
In belief therre Corrected: there never seemed such dearth in the land– The Students are working but to the seeming the fruits are not perceptableCorrected:perceptible – but we know there is no dearth in the land of love– and the land flows with milk & honey–

Mrs. J. B. Morford of

71 St George St–

St Thomas

OntarioEditorial Note: Ontario, Canada

Saw one of your booksEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy I made a present to a year ago to my Husbands Aunt– It had laid their Corrected: there a year untouched- She while visiting, read & studdyedCorrected:studied & coppyedCorrected:copied, and so delighted she came to see me enquiring– I made her a present of S. & H.Editorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy Unity & GoodEditorial Note: Unity of Good by Mary Baker Eddy, RuJournals & phamphletsCorrected:pamphlets & she said, she was going to do good and wanted to StuddyCorrected:Study – She is a bright woman very spiritual can afford to go to you and I advised her to go to BostonEditorial Note: Boston, Massachusetts to the next primary, She gave me subscription for Journal and is going into ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science with a heart of earnestness – So if you hear you may know she is all right & ready and a fine woman– Thus it is "to cast the bread upon the water's, it returns after many days"Eccl 11:1 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. – I feel that every shock sent out by A. M. lengthens our golden rod and staffPs 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. – but how it makes us loathes the sence Corrected: sense of evil and how beautiful in Unity and Good to know there is not even a claim–

Our normal class meetings are interesting and we do no mental work, as we understood – it was not approved by you – I have had my Students every Monday Afternoon and ask them questions from Science & HealthEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy and Unity and Good – and they are delighted– One of them just came in and told me they were all so happy and bright & they would not miss a lessn Corrected: lesson for any thingCorrected:anything– They say they see so much more in Unity and Good than thyey could do by studdying Corrected: studying it alone– I wanted to help them brighten them to enjoy the association and I am so happy in my work. Unity and Good is a "Pearl of great price"Matt 13:45 ¶Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Matt 13:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. – The purest and the Sweetest – and how could we ever thank you for it dear Teacher —

Miss Lane & Mrs. Purple teach the childrens Corrected: children's Sabbath school– It is three blocks from us– they enjoy it so much – and Elsie says Mother Miss Lane is the sweetest one yet and she preaches beautiful – if only Mr- Day would preach like Miss Lane I could understand it so good"– I explained the difference and how Mr- Day had to meet the thought of his Church members and Miss Lane was meeting the pure [?] Unclear or illegible  simple thought of the little Children– We are all amused at the wise sayings and the Science they know. If the whole world had the faith of these Babies of our church our laberor indeed would be light and full of Love- I am so happy to tell you my Brother'sEditorial Note: J. Newton Stone or Kinzea Stone physical condition is at last normal– He has put aside his stick and has no prop now I hope but God – It seemed to me at times a tedious demonstration – but am thankful that always hope stepped in and with its soft assurance be guide me on with the words "Be not weary in well doingGal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. – He is going to be all right now and I trust the chastening will fit him for higher work– He is so firm in Science an so grounded - but his belief is he is so slow to learn so thicke headed as he calls it – but I remind Him of Mind and ask him where in Mind do we find slothfulness or any such thing— Am sorry to learn Dr- & Mrs. Fluno left Lex–Editorial Note: Lexington, Kentucky for CalExpanded:California. They won't be here to the Association and I hope it is a good move – but I regret it – Strong work needs to be done in Ky—Expanded:Kentucky

We hope to hear good news about Convention in May No-Expanded:Number and prosperity must be our's Corrected: ours for God is talking to them far and near and drawing them unto Him – Mrs. Larminie is getting moved and will be so glad when she gets settled so we can be about our work without interruption– She is going to be delighted with her situation – It is just two blocks from me – and where it is convenent Corrected: convenient for us all to get together — We shall press on and do all we can–

Hoping for good news

Am faithfully & lovingly Your's Corrected: Yours
M. Bettie Bell -
 
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Ontario, Canada Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy Unity of Good by Mary Baker Eddy Boston, Massachusetts Christian Science Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy J. Newton Stone or Kinzea Stone Lexington, Kentucky