My time is not sufficiently my own, so I can sit down and write you consecutively the thousand and one things that crowd into my mind to find utterance, but if you will pardon the interrupted manner of my communication, knowing it is the best I can do under the circumstances I will think you most kind.
From my babyhoodAs Written:baby hood to the present hour my constant and strongest wish has ever been to be useful. Christian Science saved my life, brought me from hopelessness and despair to usefulness and joy. Henceforth, all that I am, or have or can be or can command, is devoted to its service. When I was present with you, I knew, as I have since proved, that I could do a great work. (One does not stay in hopeless invalidism for nothing for fifteen years). I was distressed and disturbed at what I saw and heard among the people whose attention had been called towards this Truth. In going to you, I was prompted by the tenderest, warmest, sincerest interest for this work. which I had decided was to be my life work. You did not quite understand me, if you had you would have seen, that all that I was or could be, was to go into this work which is so dear to your heart. I was sorry. I was grieved. I said to myself, I will do the best I can. I have the Truth, and I will use it for the benefit of the largest number possible. This, I have striven with all my might to do, and with results, my fondest imaginings had never pictured. Surely the Truth has been my defense.
It was hard indeed for me to come into Chicago teaching precisely the same Truth you had taught me, and meeting only the severest criticism from most of your students here. I felt however it was all due to misunderstanding so I have pressed on without fear or favor. Dear Mrs. Eddy, if you could but hear Mrs. Hopkins talk to one class and at the close hear her say, “I only tell you what I was taught by my teacher” your heart would swell with rightful pride. She is without doubt the ablest exponent of this ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science in the world today. I never heard such words fall from human lips, and I know you would agree with my opinion did you but know for yourself, instead of hearsay. You have more reason to be proud of her than any or all of the others put together. She is a person of the rarest integrity every moment of her life tallies with the Truth she teaches, and to know her is to love her. She is very shrinking in her nature, and but for my persistence As Written: persistince she would not now be before the world. She is doing more today, to put your especial teaching before the world than any other student, because she is the most efficient. I have tried to be kind to your leaders here. I have not the slightest ambition to gratify. I would gladly have turned all our students into the Christian Science Church here instead of starting another, In fact when I have been pressed on every side to do this, I have held back and held back, hoping that somehow, in some wayAs Written:someway harmony might come in and reign. And we could join and stand a solid phalanx for pure Christian Science.
We are very uncompromising, for we find Truth to be. Truth makes no apologies for being and As Written: an compromises not one inch with error in any of its claims. So stand we. So were we taught to stand, There are a large number of people here, who are only halfwayAs Written:half way taught, who insist upon talking evil and matter, not yet understanding that the side we think and talk upon, will come to pass upon us: I do everything in my power to help them on into the blessed truth that All is Spirit.
I have only the kindest, tenderest feelings towards all, and desire only to turn the feet of all the sorrowing ones into the paths of righteousnessPs 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. as rapidly as possible. If you could hear our teachings I know they would meet your approval and I believe you would be proud that we had been your students. I can carry my work, nobly and successfully, even if you disown me, but I would be glad to turn all our children into one strong army. I am a peacemaker by nature and will not quarrel one bit. It is for you to decide whether we may work side by side, peacefully, harmoniously or not. I teach every oneAs Written:everyone of our students to treat yours with the kindest consideration and shall continue to do this, whatever may be their attitude in return.
I have such absolute confidence in the right, that I know it will conquer in the long run.
I have no time to punish anybody. Wherever I find a student striving and reaching for truth, but clouded by a belief in matter. I do all I can to show him or her the true way, I have never done any teaching myself. Mrs. Hopkins is so much more spiritually taught, that I leave it all with her.
The work is marching gloriously on. It is the great incoming thought of the age and nothing can stay its stately tread- my sister. I am sorry to tell you became prejudiced by her experience in BostonEditorial Note: Boston, Massachusetts, and could not now be induced to listen. I am watching and praying for her return to this dear Truth, for I now know, "there is no other way under heaven whereby men can be saved"Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. - My other lovely sister came on here from New York and stands clean and clear and joyous in the understanding and tells the blessed message to whomsoever As Written: whom-so-ever comes near her. She has done some fine healing. Our students are doing fine work; from every quarter comes the good news with such mail. In our next to last class we had students from 7 states.
There were nine physicians in the class. We now have a new acquisition in Frances Lord of England. She is a thorough convert, and brings the rarest culture and experience to the work, She has purchased the Woman's World, and it will be devoted to pure Christian Science. You will pardon my writing so much, but I know you will be rejoiced to hear how wonderfully the work is growing. I will not ask that you use your busy time in answering this, but if there is any way you can suggest, by which I can be more useful to the Service of Truth command me.