Accession: 277.41.016
Editorial Title: Jennie B. Fenn to Mary Baker Eddy, December 23, 1886
Author: Jennie B. Fenn 
Recipient: Mary Baker Eddy 
Date: December 23, 1886
Manuscript Description: Handwritten by Jennie B. Fenn on her lined printed stationery from Omaha, Nebraska.
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277.41.016
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Reproduced from the archive of The Mary Baker Eddy Library
My dearest Mrs Eddy,

Not a dayAs Written:aday passes that I do notAs Written:donot send you scores of letters, I know you must feel the true sense of love, for it can never be written As Written: writen on paper. There are so many many things that I would so much, like to see you about, and which is hard to write off. You do notAs Written:donot know how I long to see you. How little many of your students realize the great privilege they have, sitting at your feet, listening to your inspired words, and felt the glow of your spiritual presence, seen with their eyes the illumination of your countenances while teaching the "way the Truth and the Life"John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. . Oh! My dear teacher how I, with many As Written: may others, long to see you. How hungry I amAs Written:Iam to grow more Intelligently. I wish something would happen As Written: happin so I could get to BostonEditorial Note: Boston, Massachusetts. A thought from you is such a comfort to me. I just live on them from day to day– Now, don't As Written: dont say that I amAs Written:Iam depending on personalityAs Written:personiality - but I don't As Written: dont believe I can help it, and shall not try. There is, and never will be, but one dear Mrs Eddy- and she is the Mother of all the NationsGen 17:15 ¶And God said unto Abraham, As for
Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name
Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.
Gen 17:16 And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.
." Rev Mr Norvell is doing a very good work, is having some excellent demonstrations I think he will prove an earnest worker for you,– he told me to say to you a month ago, that he had taken the field squarely for ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science- I am as usual very busy- every moment is taken up in this work–

And late into the night, I do notAs Written:donot mind the work for God is good, and the rough places are made smoothIsa 40:4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: . My dear I must tell you, I do notAs Written:donot like to write it, for you will think my husband so bad, but your letters are intercepted, that is they are read first and it makes me only so much more trouble. that is one reason I do not write you oftener, don't As Written: dont think me a coward I can't As Written: cant say much and neither would you wish to hear it. I know what you have written As Written: writen him, he deserves it all, and more. I do notAs Written:donot and will not agree with him in many As Written: mary points. thereforeAs Written:there fore I suffer, in belief of course, what I wished to say was this please do notAs Written:donot mentionAs Written:menthion his name in your letters to me, as I said before I dislike to say this to you. and I could not bear As Written: beare the thought of being cut off from hearing from you. There will come a brighter day for me in my home life, I know there will. You will pardon the length of my letter dear Mrs Eddy but I have so much to say and but little time to say it. I have a number of students who wish to enter your next Normal class. Those who I feel are worthy, [leaving it to your better judgement to decide] are Mary E. Spooner of Council BluffsAs Written:C. B. Iowa, Mary E. Allen of Harlan As Written: Harlen Iowa, Nellie Courtney of Omaha, who I feel that you will love she is so innocent and pure-mindedAs Written:pure minded. Clara L. Evans, Logan Iowa, is one that I have loved so much, because I thought she was true and now have no reason to think otherwiseAs Written:other wise, only in the instance, she has gone entirely from my instructions and that is teaching. I have tried to impress upon the minds of every student, that they should not, and could not go out from my teachings, and attempt to teach Christian Science, if they did I would denounce them as frauds, for I realize more and more every day, the great importance As Written: importence of correctly imparting the true reflection and understanding of this divine science. Since Mrs Evans return from Boston she is teaching a class of seven, says that you gave her permission to do so. My dear Mrs Eddy I know with her "Millinery business" and the short time that she has been in science, she cannot teach Christian ScienceAs Written:C. S. as it should be taught. I have not seen her, since before she started for Boston last Oct. I do not approve this teaching of hers and do notAs Written:donot feel that you gave her any such permission. I only speak of this to you, that you, may know As Written: no that it is not my wish, that this teaching is approved of- before they have been to you. Not another student would have done what she has. Oh! how I urge everybodyAs Written:every body that thinks of studying to go to you. I always As Written: alway say to them you cannot, and must not be satisfied As Written: satisfide with my teachings, but let your highest aim be, go to dear Mrs Eddy. She is the only one that can teach Christian Science. But this silly ambition As Written: ambtion of some, thinking because they have gained a little knowledge of Science, they can teach, the same with little or no experiences. Oh! I have wished a hundred times that I had never began teaching, there is such a weight of responsibility where one has consciousness in so great a work. I feel the sacredness of this Divine teaching, More and more and when I see it abused by the selfish and ambitious, to see who shall be greatest among usMatt 20:20 ¶Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. Matt 20:21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. Matt 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. Matt 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. Matt 20:24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. Matt 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. Matt 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; Matt 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Matt 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. , I feel that I want to cover my face-

There is also a student Mrs Judge Dow. Dow City Iowa, was in my August class, who thinks she would like to enter the Normal but I cannot conscientiously recommend her to the Normal class. She is a very nice old lady. She is a lady that has been quite prominent in Church work and Aid societies, et ceteraAs Written:&c, there is a great deal of Mrs Dow to be turned As Written: turn down, her belief of personality As Written: persoinality is quite prominent. Your primary class is where she should go, she is also a Lady of great wealth.

Mrs H. E. Sealey of the BluffsEditorial Note: Council Bluffs, Iowa also wished me to mention As Written: menthion that she would like to enter your primary class. One more point and I am done for this time and I guess you will not be sorry. It is this I have been thinking for some timeAs Written:sometime that with your permission I would like to get a Charter from the state, and Incorporate an Institute, calling it the Nebraska Christian Science Institute. Will it meet with your wish and desire? I would not do anythingAs Written:any thing unless you wished it. I have no other motive but to do what you wish. and the "will of good."

Merry, Merry Xmas

and a Happy New Year.

Our much beloved teacher

Ever your loving Student
Mrs E. B. Fenn
277.41.016
-
Reproduced from the archive of The Mary Baker Eddy Library
My dearest Mrs Eddy,

Not adayCorrected:a day passes that I donotCorrected:do not send you scor [?] Unclear or illegible es of letters, I know you must feel the true sense of love, for it can never be writen Corrected: written on paper. There are so many many things that I would so much, like to see you about, and which is hard to write off. You donotCorrected:do not know how I long to see you. How little many of your students realize the great privilege they have, sitting at your feet, listening to your inspired words, and felt the glow of your spiritual presence, seen with their eyes the illumination of your count [?] Unclear or illegible enances while teaching the "way the Truth and the Life"John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. . Oh! My dear teacher how I, with may Corrected: many others, loneg to see you. How hungry IamCorrected:I am to grow more Intelligently. I wish something would happin Corrected: happen so I could get to BostonEditorial Note: Boston, Massachusetts. A thought from you is such a comfort to me. I just live on them from day to day– Now, dont Corrected: don't say that IamCorrected:I am depending on personialityCorrected:personality - but I dont Corrected: don't believe I can help it, and shall not try. There is, and never will be, but one dear Mrs Eddy- and she is the Mother of all the NationsGen 17:15 ¶And God said unto Abraham, As for
Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name
Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.
Gen 17:16 And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.
." Rev Mr Norvell is doing a very good work, is having some excellent demonstrations I think he will prove an earnest worker for you,– he told me to say to you a month ago, that he had taken the field squarely for ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science- I am as usual very busy- every moment is taken up in this work–

And late into the night, I donotCorrected:do not min [?] Unclear or illegible d the work for God is good, and the rough places are made smoothIsa 40:4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: . My dear I must tell you, I donotCorrected:do not like to write it, for you will think my husband so bad, but your letters are intercepted, that is they are read first and it makes me only so much more trouble. that is one reason I do not write you oftener, dont Corrected: don't think me a coward I cant Corrected: can't say much and neither would you wish to hear it. I know what you have writen Corrected: written him, he deserves it all, and more. I donotCorrected:do not and will not agree with him in mary Corrected: many points. there foreCorrected:therefore I suffer, in belief of course, what I wished to say was this please donotCorrected:do not menthionCorrected:mention his name in your letters to me, as I said before I dislike to [?] Unclear or illegible say this to you. and I could not beare Corrected: bear the thought of being cut off from hearing from you. There will come a brighter day for me in my home life, I know there will. You will pardon the length of my letter dear Mrs Eddy but I have so much to say and but little time to say it. I have a number of students who wish to enter your next Normal class. Those who I feel are worthy, [leaving it to your better judgement to decide] are Mary E. Spooner of C. B.Expanded:Council Bluffs Iowa, Mary E. Allen of Harlen Corrected: Harlan Iowa, Nellie Courtney of Omaha, who I feel that you will love she is so innocent and pure mindedCorrected:pure-minded. Clara L. Evans, Logan Iowa, is one that I have loved so much, because I thought she was true and now have no reason to think other wiseCorrected:otherwise, only in the instance, she has gone entirely from my instructions and that is teaching. I have tried to impress upon the minds of every student, that they should not, and could not go out from my teachings, and attempt to teach Christian Science, if they did I would denounce them as frauds, for I realize more and more every day, the great importence Corrected: importance of correctly imparting the true reflection and understanding of this divine science. Since Mrs Evans return from Boston she is teaching a class of seven, says that you gave her permission to do so. My dear Mrs Eddy I know with her "Millinery business" and the short time that she has been in science, she cannot teach C. S.Expanded:Christian Science as it should be taught. I have not seen her, since before she started for Boston last Oct. I do not approve it this teaching of hers and donotCorrected:do not feel that you gave her any such permission. I only speak of this to you, that you, may no Corrected: know that it is not my wish, that this teaching is approved of- before they have been to you. Not another student would have done what she has. Oh! how I urge every bodyCorrected:everybody that thinks of studying to go to you. I alway Corrected: always say to toAs Written:to them you cannot, and must not be satisfide Corrected: satisfied with my teachings, but let your highest aim be, go to dear Mrs Eddy. She is the only one that can teach Christian Science. But this silly ambtion Corrected: ambition of some, thinking because they have gained a little knowledge of Science, they can teach, the same with little or no experiences. Oh! I have wished a hundred times that I had never began teaching, there is such a weight of responsibility where one has the consciousness in so great a work. I feel the sadcredness of this Divine teaching, More and more and when I see it abused by the selfish and ambitious, to see who shall be greatest among usMatt 20:20 ¶Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. Matt 20:21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. Matt 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. Matt 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. Matt 20:24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. Matt 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. Matt 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; Matt 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Matt 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. , I feel that I want to cover my face-

There is also a student Mrs Judge Dow. Dow City Iowa, was in my August class, who thinks she would like to enter the Normal but I cannot conscientiously recommend her to the Normal class. She is a very nice old lady. She is a lady that has been quite prominent in Church work and Aid societies, &cExpanded:et cetera, there is a great deal of Mrs Dow to be turn Corrected: turned down, her belief of persoinality Corrected: personality is quite prominent. Your primary class is where she should go, she is also a Lady of great wealth.

Mrs H. E. Sealey of the BluffsEditorial Note: Council Bluffs, Iowa also wished me to menthion Corrected: mention that she would like to enter your primary class. One more point and I am done for this time and I guess you will not be sorry. It is this I have been thinking for sometimeCorrected:some time that with your permission I would like to get a Charter from the state, and Incorporate an Institute, calling it the Nebraska Christian Science Institute. Will it meet with your wish and desire? I would not do any thingCorrected:anything unless you wished it. I have no other motive but to do what you wish. and the "will of good."

Merry, Merry Xmas

and a Happy New Year.

Our much beloved teacher

Ever your loving Student
Mrs E. B. Fenn
 
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