Accession: 237AP1.38.030
Editorial Title: Silas J. Sawyer to Mary Baker Eddy, March 29, 1884
Author: Silas J. Sawyer 
Recipient: Mary Baker Eddy 
Date: March 29, 1884
Manuscript Description: Handwritten by Silas J. Sawyer on his stamped lined stationery from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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237AP1.38.030
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Reproduced from the archive of The Mary Baker Eddy Library

My first class is closed, and its members departed, and I know you will be interested to hear of my success. They all gave evidence of the work of Truth in the successful treatment of their first cases.

My wife and I rejoiced, for we did labor constantly, not for ourselves, but that you might feel you had not bestowed your thoughts and time in vain.

It has been no easy task, to teach, heal, attend to correspondents, advocating the cause,Editorial Note: The cause of Christian Science. and as I have to yet depend on my dental practice for support, attend to that also, but I enjoy working for the cause,Editorial Note: The cause of Christian Science. even if it is very confining. I might explain here, that May 1st I give up entirely my dental practice.

Now the class being closed, I have had a little better opportunity to look over the situation, and the prospects.

I will give you a few particulars of what the enemy have done, and are doing here, then make you a proposition and await your advice and decision.

You can have but a faint conception of the impression formed here, of Christian Science, first by Mrs Silsbee, and now continued by Miss Harvey, of whose action, Mrs Choate is the cause. I have undoubted proof of this.

Of course; taking the conspicuous position in ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science we have, has made us the target of personal attacks, and interfered with the progress of our patients.

Our success with patients is slow, but progressive. People form opinions of a cause you may advocate, by the evidence before mortal eyes.

A number, on whom I have counted as students for you, will only become such, when they see some strong proof of quick work of healing among their own numbers; and our work on them has been made slow, by the work of the Mal’s, particularly Mrs Choate. We can see the effect and now if we hold them for you some quick, strong work must be done. One instance of Mrs C’s work. A Mr John Telling, a high minded person, will have one or two members of his family study if he is cured, and now taking treatment; I had him progressing nicely, when Miss Harvey and Mrs Klepser called upon Mrs Telling, and a most abominable lie about you was related by Miss H – “That Mrs Eddy was a bad woman, Mrs Choate very popular, how Mrs C – had saved Mrs Eddy by her, Mrs C’s testimony Etc.” The effect on Mrs Telling was visible to us, very soon showed itself on Mr Telling.

Then Mrs Sawyer has two cases in ElkhornEditorial Note: Elkhorn, Wisconsin under treatment on whom we see the work of the Mal’s. also I have a case in Chicago that needs some prompt relief. All these are prospective students, and to secure them, depends on prompt work on our part.

Our plan, and proposition is this. –

To defeat Mrs Choate through Miss Harvey. Miss H – has spinal curvature. Mrs Sawyer says she will humble herself, call on Miss H – offer to take her case, and Miss H – only to pay when helped; then when Miss H – is helped, she can easily be turned away from Mrs Choate. and thus we would secure Mrs Klepser for a student, also the possibility of securing a Mrs Mayhew, and these are estimable people.

In all this we want your special help, on ourselves. We will work, dear teacher, early and late, if only you approve and help. The result of the plan is to bring into your class students from Chicago, Elkhorn – Oconto, Oconomowoc, & Milwaukee, which would be a strong guard for the cause in the west.

That we can, and do fight the Mal’s successfully, we have good evidence, and never another As Written: annother such mishap will occur, as Charley B’s I am confident.

Here is an instance of a personal attack. Wed – night in the return of an old belief and a severe attack it was too. I did not mention it to Mrs Sawyer, but took up the Mal’s, and fought them all night. it was an all night struggle, but I conquered. It possessed this interest to me, I knew I was progressing in science.Editorial Note: Christian Science

I will give you the names of those parties we are healing; and only ask you to give us your thought that we can cure them, and the Mal’s cannot prevent it, cannot discourage us, or these patients Etc Etc.

I have calculated by the time this reaches you, the Journal will be out, and you will be prepared to say how early you can come west. I shall keep the house I am in, as it is very suitable for you and a class, otherwise I would give it up May 1st. We are anticipating a great pleasure in your coming, for you can, when you understand the situation, point out the defects, and the remediesAs Written:remedy's.

I am going to Chicago Monday especially to see Mr Atkins and Mr Morrill. Mr Atkins is the patient. Mr M – is deeply interested in scienceEditorial Note: Christian Science and I would like to tell you all about him, for it is interesting. He studied with Shermans.Editorial Note: Bradford Sherman and Roger Sherman and was anticipating great help from them on their return. The enclosed letterEditorial Note: This letter is not extant. from him gives you light on his present condition of mind.

The following are the names of those we are treating and want your help. Mr A R Atkins of Chicago. Mrs Anna B. Wing, Mr Wm Byington of Elkhorn Wisconsin As Written: Wis . Mr John Telling of Milwaukee. Mrs Julia Spaulding of Oconomowoc Wisconsin As Written: Wis .

You understand of course, we do not ask you to examine these patients, only to help us against the Mal’s.

I will add here, that we are on usually friendly terms with Klepsers, and they have not the remotest idea, that we know of Miss Harvey’s remarks, so it will be no difficult task to approach Miss H – with the offer. Also Mrs Sawyer can point to the case of spinal curvature she cured as evidence of her ability. It is no agreeable task to have anything to do with Miss H – nevertheless, for God and his causeEditorial Note: The cause of Christian Science. we will try it, if you approve, and advise.

I omitted the name of a Mrs Trudell of Oconto, who came here for treatment, but being such a complicated case Mrs Sawyer gave her no encouragement. Her husband, a well-to-do Lawyer, was very desirous his wife should be treated, and even said he would study the scienceEditorial Note: Christian Science while his wife was being treated. I feel quite confident of securing them, and should have included their name among the others. By the time you reply to this, we would write Mr Trudell, asking him to bring his wife, they have friends driving here with whom they could stay; and we would take up her case. it is belief of Tuberculosis As Written: Consumption, also four months pregnancy.

I have Mrs Milledge of Oconto also, who wrote to come into my class after it began but I informed her I should form another class soon, and give her timely notice. of the date.

There is also a Miss Byer of Oconto whom Mrs Milledge tried to have come with her, but Mrs Byer said she would wait until Mrs returned: Miss B – was healed by Mrs S – before we returned from Boston: and Mrs Silsbee gave them the impression she was going to Boston for a second time, and course of instructions in Science.Editorial Note: Christian Science Now all of this confirms a suspicion of long standing, that Mrs Silsbee practiced a continued deception, and intends to teach Miss Byer and others on her return, but I think we can stop Mrs Silsbee’s efforts in that time.

Please reply by return mail, Mrs Sawyer write in love, and hope of triumph of the cause.Editorial Note: The cause of Christian Science.

237AP1.38.030
-
Reproduced from the archive of The Mary Baker Eddy Library

My first class is closed, and its members departed, and I know you will be interested to hear of my success. They all gave evidence of the work of Truth in the successful treatment of their first cases.

My wife and I rejoiced, for we did labor constantly, not for ourselves, but that you might feel you had not bestowed your thoughts and time in vain.

It has been no easy task, to teach, heal, attend to correspondents, advocating the cause,Editorial Note: The cause of Christian Science. and as I have to yet depend on my dental practice for [?] Unclear or illegible  support, attend to that also, but I enjoy working for the cause,Editorial Note: The cause of Christian Science. even if it is very confining. I might explain here, that May 1st I give up entirely my dental practice.

Now the class being closed, I have had a little better opportunity to look over the situation, and the prospects.

I will give you a few particulars of what the enemy have done, and are doing here, then make you a proposition and await your advice and decision.

You can have but a faint conception of the impression formed here, of Christian Science, first by Mrs Silsbee, and now continued by Miss Harvey, of whose action, Mrs Choate is the cause. I have undoubted proof of this.

Of course; taking the conspicuous position in ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science we have, has made us the target of personal attacks, and interfered with the progress of our patients.

Our success with patients is slow, but progressive. People form opinions of a cause you may advocate, by the evidence before mortal eyes.

A number, on whom I have counted as students for you, will only become such, when they see some strong proof of quick work of healing among their own numbers; and our work on them has been made slow, by the work of the Mal’s, particularly Mrs Choate. We can see the effect and now if I we hold them for you some quick, strong work must be done. One instance of Mrs C’s work. A Mr John Telling, a high minded person, will have one or two members of his family study if he is cured, and now taking treatment; I had him progressing nicely, when Miss Harvey and Mrs Klepser called upon Mrs Telling, and a most abominable lie about you was related by Miss H – “That Mrs Eddy was a bad woman, Mrs Choate very popular, how Mrs C – had saved Mrs Eddy by her, Mrs C’s testimony Etc.” The effect on Mrs Telling was visible to us, very soon showed itself on Mr Telling.

Then Mrs Sawyer has two cases in ElkhornEditorial Note: Elkhorn, Wisconsin under treatment on whom we see the work of the Mal’s. also I have a case in Chicago that needs some prompt relief. All these are prospective students, and to secure them, depends on prompt work on our part.

Our plan, and proposition is this. –

To defeat Mrs Choate through Miss Harvey. Miss H – has spinal curvature. Mrs Sawyer says she will humble herself, call on Miss H – offer to take her case, and Miss H – only to pay when helped; then when Miss H – is helped, she can easily be turned away from Mrs Choate. and thus we would secure Mrs Klepser for a student, also the possibility of securing a Mrs Mayhew, and these are estimable people.

In all this we want your special help, on ourselves. We will work, dear teacher, early and late, if only you approve and help. The result of the plan is to bring into your class students from Chicago, Elkhorn – Oconto, Oconomowoc, & Milwaukee, which would be a strong guard for the cause in the west.

That we can, and do fight the Mal’s successfully, we have good evidence, and never annother Corrected: another such mishap will occur, as Charley B’s I am confident.

Here is an instance of a personal attack. Wed – night in the return of an old belief and a severe attack it was too. I did not mention it to Mrs Sawyer, but took up the Mal’s, and fought them all night. it was an all night struggle, but I conquered. It possessed this interest to me, I knew I was progressing in science.Editorial Note: Christian Science

I will give you the names of those parties we are healing; and only ask you to give us your thought that we can cure them, and the Mal’s cannot prevent it, cannot discourage us, or these patients Etc Etc.

I have calculated by the time this reaches you, the Journal will be out, and you will be prepared to say how early you can come west. I shall keep the house I am in, as it is very suitable for you and a class, otherwise I would give it up May 1st. We are anticipating a great pleasure in your coming, for you can, when you understand the situation, point out the defects, and the remedy'sCorrected:remedies.

I am going to Chicago Monday especially to see Mr Atkins and Mr Morrill. Mr Atkins is the patient. Mr M – is deeply interested in scienceEditorial Note: Christian Science and I would like to tell you all about him, for it is interesting. He studied with Shermans.Editorial Note: Bradford Sherman and Roger Sherman and was anticipating great help from them on their return. The enclosed letterEditorial Note: This letter is not extant. from him gives you light on his present condition of mind.

The following are the names of those we are treating and want your help. Mr A R Atkins of Chicago. Mrs Anna B. Wing, Mr Wm Byington of Elkhorn Wis Expanded: Wisconsin . Mr John Telling of Milwaukee. Mrs Julia Spaulding of Oconomowoc Wis Expanded: Wisconsin .

You understand of course, we do not ask you to examine these patients, only to help us against the Mal’s.

I will add here, that we are on usually friendly terms with Klepsers, and they have not the remotest idea, that we know of Miss Harvey’s remarks, so it will be no difficult task to approach Miss H – with the offer. Also Mrs Sawyer can point to the case of spinal curvature she cured as evidence of her ability. It is no agreeable task to have anything to do with Miss H – nevertheless, for God and his causeEditorial Note: The cause of Christian Science. we will try it, if you approve, and advise.

I omitted the name of a Mrs Trudell of Oconto, who came here for treatment, but being such a complicated case Mrs Sawyer gave her no encouragement. Her husband, a well-to-do Lawyer, was very desirous his wife should be treated, and even said he would study the scienceEditorial Note: Christian Science while his wife was being treated. I feel quite confident of securing them, and should have included their name among the others. By the time you reply to this, we would write Mr Trudell, asking him to bring his wife, they have friends driving here with whom they could stay; and we would take up her case. it is belief of Consumption, Original: Tuberculosis also four months pregnancy.

I have Mrs Milledge of Oconto also, who wrote to come into my class after it began but I informed her I should form another class soon, and give her timely notice. of the date.

There is also a Miss Byer of Oconto whom Mrs Milledge tried to have come with her, but Mrs Byer said she would wait until Mrs Silsbee returned: Miss B – was healed by Mrs S – before we returned from Boston: and Mrs Silsbee gave them the impression she was going to Boston for a second time, and course of instructions in Science.Editorial Note: Christian Science Now all of this confirms a suspicion of long standing, that Mrs Silsbee practiced a continued deception, and intends to teach Miss Byer and others on her return, but I think we can stop Mrs Silsbee’s efforts in that time.

Please reply by return mail, Mrs Sawyer write in love, and hope of triumph of the cause.Editorial Note: The cause of Christian Science.

 
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The cause of Christian Science. The cause of Christian Science. Christian Science Elkhorn, Wisconsin Christian Science Christian Science Bradford Sherman and Roger Sherman This letter is not extant. The cause of Christian Science. Christian Science Christian Science The cause of Christian Science.