May 14th 1886–
I cannot forbear to comfort you with the information, that the Truth has already healed
the error you have so kindly tried to correct in me. Within one hour from the time
I left you last evening I had the assurance that the work was done, and from that
time till now I have had what may seem
paradoxical As Written: parodoxical
a 'restless Calm', but I know that
Christ has stilled the stormMatt 8:23 ¶And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. Matt 8:24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered
with the waves: but he was asleep. Matt 8:25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. Matt 8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and
rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. Matt 8:27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and
the sea obey him! Matt 8:28 ¶And when he was come to the other side into the country of the
Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce,
so that no man might pass by that way. Matt 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son
of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? Matt 8:30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. Matt 8:31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into
the herd of swine. Matt 8:32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of
swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into
the sea, and perished in the waters. Matt 8:33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing,
and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. Matt 8:34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought
him that he would depart out of their coasts. Matt 8:35 Matt 8:36 Matt 8:37 Mark 4:35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto
the other side. Mark 4:36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship.
And there were also with him other little ships. Mark 4:37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it
was now full. Mark 4:38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him,
and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the
wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Mark 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this,
that even the wind and the sea obey him? Luke 8:22 ¶Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples:
and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched
forth. Luke 8:23 But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake;
and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. Luke 8:24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose,
and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a
calm. Luke 8:25 And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying
one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water,
and they obey him.
of my mortal nature, and it only remains now for me to prove it to others, which I
am certain my MasterEditorial Note: Jesus Christ will enable me to do.
I must also inform you, that after your revelations to me last evening, and in calmly thinking over the conditions of things here- the wealth of Boston could not hire me to labor in connection with a church that has in it such a controlling element as you described to me. If it were simply under the name of scienceEditorial Note: Christian Science, I could understand it, but when such unchristlike conduct – so contrary to the rule which the Blessed Jesus lays down in the 18th chapter of Matt.Matt 18:15 ¶Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Matt 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. Matt 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. is called Christian Science, I can have no fellowship with it.
It is not the christian Science which you have taught me, and which I think I understand, and God helping me I intend to practice in all the relationships of this life.
I have nothing but fervent christian love to those Dear ones, but while they entertain such thoughts of christianity or duty, I cannot yoke up with them in carrying on the work of God, for they would pull one way and I another.
So please consider that at the end of next month (June) when my term of trial will expire, my relations with the 'church of Christ (Scientist) as your Assistant Pastor will cease, and this afternoon I will so inform Bro Bradley, so that you may be on the lookoutAs Written:look out for someoneAs Written:some one else. Maybe the services of Bro gill could be secured if written to at once.
One other matter I speak of to you in confidence and that is. I do not consider the church under any legal obligation to pay my expenses back home, but unless they do it, I don't As Written: dont know how to get there. During my course of instructionEditorial Note: Joseph A. Adams studied Christian Science with Mary Baker Eddy at the Massachusetts Metaphysical College in a Primary class that began on March 29, 1886. I felt that I could not receive anything from the church, but since the class closed Bro Bradley has paid me $20Editorial Note: $20.00 in 1886 is the equivalent of $622.67 in 2022. per week which you may know has not kept me and my family, after paying out of it for a dozen BooksEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy which I have sent to California. A word from you to the Business Committee will relieve me on that point. It is much against the grain for me to mention this, but necessity compels me as my Dear Wife has exhausted home resources and cannot send me anything.
If the Church would give me my Railway Fare home and you think it best, I will close my labors here at the end of this month, for I do not feel comfortable in knowing that some of the leading members purposely absent themselves from church because of my boisterous preaching. And yet before I go, I desire to prove to them (and I think I can do it with God’s help) in two Sundays more, that their fears for the cause of ChristianAs Written:C Science was only in belief and not in reality, and that a little more patience on their part would have revealed the mythical nature of their fears. Especially do I wish to prove to that unscientific brotherEditorial Note: Possibly George H. Bradford who thinks that this vociferousness is a part of my constitution and that 10 years could not eliminate it. That Truth can correct error instantaneously. That a word is a work with God. And now, in conclusion permit me to say, That your genuine christian love, shown by your faithfulness to me, has not only secured my highest esteem, but undying christian love for you. And I would assure you, That you may count on one (at least) who will stand by you as a practical Christian Scientist, and whenever you know of me doing different to what I now profess and preach, then I hope you will publish to the world that I am an arrant hypocrite.
in the Blessed Christ,