Your letterEditorial Note: This letter is not extant. rec’d yesterday, & has done me lots of good, You know I will believe you, But I do think that God and you have given me a hard task to perform here in Chicago, in placing me in so responsible a place, as I now occupy, But since you think I’m equal to the task I will go to work with new courage. Do you know I got your thoughts, before your letter, for I had been treating my selfCorrected:myself, and taking up Mortal minds that they could not make me think I could not do my work, in the Association &c I did not mean to imply that you had not taught me right and thoroughly, for I know you did, I do know a great deal more than I did a year ago, But I see so much to do here, I see the need of some oneCorrected:someone talking, writing, and preaching, and am asked so many questions in regard to the Bible and the ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science that I cannot answer to my satisfaction, that I felt sometimes as if I knew so little. We have not been trying to solve the Bible in our meetings at all, I think we are doing nicely, our last meeting was well attended and a lovely spirit manifested, They were all good enough to say it was a very interesting, and profitable one, and said they thought I made a “splendid president” I do not tell you this with the least egotism, only to show you that I am doing all I can to build up the Association, and it is growing fast, I hope it will be a farm in the land yet, Any wayCorrected:Anyway the members little know how much I help them, even when they do not ask me. I used to wonder how you could tell when a student was under a malicious influence but now I can tell my selfCorrected:myself, so if you will tell me when everCorrected:whenever you think I am, I will come out right, You dear sweet teacher, I know you think of me often – I feel the touch it is always so exquisite.

I have done a great deal of good work here, and have made many converts among some of the best people here – have several students for you, so you must make arrangements to come here when you can, but sometime before long – another spring any wayCorrected:anyway One of my patients a charming lady, and the wife of a prominent merchant says when you come here again, she wants to entertain you, she is going to study. I also have a minister who wants to study but he cannot go to BEditorial Note: Boston, Massachusetts – He says, “Mrs. Eddy is away beyond me, but I know she is right, it is only because I’m not up to it yet” – He says also, “this is what I must be, a Christian Scientist It was first brought to his notice through some, remarkable cures of mine, then his wife called on me, and I am told was very much pleased with me, and what I told her, Then he bought the booksEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. and is so pleased with them that he takes one with him every whereCorrected:everywhere he goes – reads in the cars so as not to lose any time.

I am told that Dr. Thomas and Prof. Swing are going to investigate this, and the ShermansEditorial Note: Bradford Sherman; Martha E. Sherman; Roger Sherman are going to try to get them to study with you – they know them, I do not, I told the students that if they wished to have you come (as they all do) they must work between now and spring to get you some nice students, The ones that I have I know will be an ornament to the causeEditorial Note: The cause of Christian Science..

Now when you sent me word to select four, to study for teachers, I went first to see Mrs. Noyes and Rodger Sherman for we three stand as a unit on all things pertaining to the causeEditorial Note: The cause of Christian Science., Mrs Noye said as she had but been back but so short a time, she could not leave again so soon as the first of Jan, Rodger said he wanted the instructions and intended to have them some time Corrected: sometime , but could not leave then either, but said his father would like to go, so of course I could not say any thingCorrected:anything to him, but told Belle B- to write these things to you, as I thought if you took him him you ought to know I do not believe them now, for he was at the last meeting, with his wife, and her sister, and they certainly said nothing to lead me to think they were not living up to your teaching as near as they understood their duty, By the way I always make a point of bringing up your name so as to see how they feel, for I notice the first step in going wrong is turning away from you, Am I not right? I know the student that follows in the way that you point out, will succeed, and will love the ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science and teacher, more and more. Dr Avery Dr Avery will not go on now, and dear teacher he is not ready for that advanced course, he is still mixing mind, or rather trying to mix mind, and matter, in healing, I called on him the other day and can see how much he has to ove comeCorrected:overcome, he lacks the moral courage to take a stand in Chicago, One has not been born in the spiritJohn 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. who cannot do that I don’t think, material things grow more and more insignificant to me each day, He, Dr. A- begins to teach a class tomorrow, and wanted me to be present, but I firmly declined – I do not think that one who practices medicine is fit to teach C.S. Editorial Note: Christian Science I shall refuse to admit his students to the C.S.A. he is only an honorary member, He, nor no one else, has any right to take pupils Corrected: pupils’ money for teaching them, and then expect me to undertake to instruct their students free; that is what they are going to do, no doubt, pretend to teach, and then get them in to Corrected: into the C.S.A. or students Corrected: students’ meeting to get the benefit of my instructions. I am more than willing to help your students – glad to do it; but I do not think it my duty to teach their students. When I want to learn, I go to my teacher, no one has any right to teach till they can help their students on all points necessary, Am I not right, I can tell when people have an “ax to grind” with Miss. Brown – I can see the motive back of sweet words and actions, but I must not judge too hastily, I am trying so hard to be charitable – please give me a thought on that.

I hope I have not bored you with this long letter – How I wish I could see you, Do so hope I can get enough to go in a month to see you, and get the instructions, but I can wait – will have it to anticipate – I am so anxious to have you get this, that I will have send it to Mr – H- Will see the commitee Corrected: committee on Publications and have that matter attended to, be sure I will do all I can

Now dearest Teacher a bright and “Happy Christmas” to you, You ought to be happy You have done so much for humanity, I know this will be the happiest one of my life because of the little I’ve done in the last year – Such lovely letters as I get from patients – telling me how sick they were last Christmas, and through me – how well they are this one, I tell them I did not do it as they think. Well I must close, so Adieu for this time

Please write me soon, if only a half sheet