Accession: 322.44.001
Editorial Title: Eldridge J. Smith to Mary Baker Eddy, February 9, 1884
Author: Eldridge J. Smith 
Recipient: Mary Baker Eddy 
Date: February 9, 1884
Manuscript Description: Handwritten by Eldridge J. Smith on unlined paper from Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
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322.44.001
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Williamsport PennsylvaniaAs Written:Pa
Feby. 9. 1884.
Dearly Beloved:

TodayAs Written:To day came several copies of "Journals".

This issue is decidedly the best yet–

I can see that this paper must be a power for good – that the time is ripe for just such a media to give the sunshine of the to the world–

I am working, I am making good progress too now toward freedom so I can say – "here I am send me."Isa 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

It is probable that I will have to go to TitusvilleEditorial Note: Titusville, Pennsylvania next week to close up matters. I have some very good business offers, but I had rather earn one dollar in the line of ScinceEditorial Note: Christian Science labor - than a thousand when I have to be bound to time and materiality — a position - "who shall free me from the body of this death"Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? . Yea "I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than to dwell in the tents of wickedness"Ps 84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

So: — "Hold the fort for I am coming"Editorial Note: This is a line from the chorus of a hymn titled “Hold the Fort.” Philip P. Bliss wrote the words and music in 1870.!

[*]Editorial Note: There is a horizontal line drawn across the page here.

I find it so hard to write or think while I am so absorbed in business matters- Several times when I have tried to write for the Journal a spiritual wall would seem to rise right up before me. It is hard to serve God and Mamon.Matt 6:24 ¶No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and
mammon. But — let me once have on the armor the sweet child is to give me – then – then [*]Editorial Note: The author has added a series of metamarks that look like Xs at this point in the manuscript.

I must not at present, fill the blank,- but you do believe, do you not dear teacher, that I can do much to infuse life and spiritual energies in the work – to harmonize - to plan - to fight the fight of faithI Tim 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. - (of Knowledge rather) to contend earnestly for the inheritance which is life, love, joy, and Health ?

Very Dear wife is with me most earnestly in this work - she is laboring faithfully. She joins me with

Love to you and all.

Ever faithfully
E J Smith
322.44.001
-
Reproduced from the archive of The Mary Baker Eddy Library
X

Copied document link to clipboard.

Williamsport PaExpanded:Pennsylvania
Feby. 9. 1884.
Dearly Beloved:

To dayCorrected:Today came several copies of "Journals".

This issue is decidedly the best yet–

I can see that this paper must be a power for good – that the time is ripe for just such a media to give the sunshine of the Good — spelAs Written:Good — spel to the world–

I am working, I am making good progress too now toward freedom so I can say – "here I am send me."Isa 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

It is probable that I will have to go to TitusvilleEditorial Note: Titusville, Pennsylvania next week to close up matters. I have some very good business offers, but I had rather earn one dollar in the line of ScinceEditorial Note: Christian Science labor - than a thousand when I have to be bound to time and materiality — a position - "who shall free me from the body of this death"Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? . Yea "I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than to dwell in the tents of wickedness"Ps 84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

So: — "Hold the fort for I am coming"Editorial Note: This is a line from the chorus of a hymn titled “Hold the Fort.” Philip P. Bliss wrote the words and music in 1870.!

[*]Editorial Note: There is a horizontal line drawn across the page here.

I find it so hard to write or think while I am so absorbed in business matters- Several times when I have tried to write for the Journal a spiritual wall would seem to rise right up before me. It is hard to serve God and Mamon.Matt 6:24 ¶No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and
mammon. But — let me once have on the armor the sweet child is to give me – then – then [*]Editorial Note: The author has added a series of metamarks that look like Xs at this point in the manuscript.

I must not at present, fill the blank,- but you do believe, do you not dear teacher, that I can do much to infuse life and spiritual energies in the work – to harmonize - to plan - to fight the fight of faithI Tim 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. - (of Knowledge rather) to contend earnestly for the inheritance which is life, love, joy, and Health ?

Very Dear wife is with me most earnestly in this work - she is laboring faithfully. She joins me with

Love to you and all.

Ever faithfully
E J Smith
 
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Titusville, Pennsylvania Christian Science This is a line from the chorus of a hymn titled “Hold the Fort.” Philip P. Bliss wrote the words and music in 1870. There is a horizontal line drawn across the page here. The author has added a series of metamarks that look like Xs at this point in the manuscript.