⇉ Handshift:Calvin A. FryeAnsweredAs Written:Ans June 9

⇉ Handshift:Isabella A. BeecherMay I take the liberty of writing to you and asking your advice?

Mrs. Jordan asked me to take her case, which is of twenty years standing, and I am desirous, of course, to demonstrate the Principle of Life, Truth and Love upon her. She never was sick, when young, on the contrary she thought it a disgrace. At one time she went to CharlestonEditorial Note: Charleston, South Carolina and Sullivan’s IslandEditorial Note: Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina where they have the broken bone feverEditorial Note: “Broken Bone Fever” was a name given to an illness that often occurred in areas where Yellow Fever was also common. and saw many emaciated, crippled specimens of this living death.

After this a fever began to come upon her and she began to grow weak but then and all through her sickness she fought the disease as if it were a wild beast. Soon after, the warEditorial Note: Civil War broke out; and her husband, who was in the army, was poisoned. She had a very hard time getting north; & during all this time from ’62 to ’77 she had this fever, pulse 120o, & never less than 110o. during this time she also had a baby which died soon after its birth. She also had rheumatism –

While at New York she was bled & leeched and cupped until the blood wouldn’t come, but the fever was not reduced to less than 1100, showing plainly that it was a belief.

The fever was not reduced until she went to Mount Clemens SpringsEditorial Note: Mount Clemens Springs were mineral springs in Michigan that were thought to have healing properties., MichiganAs Written:Mich, where after 624 baths, the fever left her and also the pain and soreness from the rheumatism, but left her a cripple, in belief – All this time she never would talk about being sick, never write about it or give up to it, but “fought it like a tiger” as she said.

But is there not something back of all this? was she not born with such an extremity of latent fear that it took upon itself a very high statement of error, mesmerism, & will power – (for her disease seemed like herself; it hung on like grim death) She is a very powerful mesmerist; it was discovered in this way: Dr. Sprague, whom none had been able to mesmerize, said he could cure her if he could put her to sleep, but she, without knowing what she did, mesmerized him, and has mesmerized others since. Now, is it safe for her to treat herself or others?

She says she despises mesmerism and seems to know every principle in your booksEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.. Isn’t it the latent belief of mesmerism & will-power that is the trouble?

I know that all this that I have written is a statement of error, but I wanted to know if I have presented the case as it ought to be treated or if there was some other latent belief that I have not discovered. If there is, will you tell me, or must I find out for myself. I am sorry to trouble you with such a long letter but will hope for an answerEditorial Note: Mary Baker Eddy’s answer to this letter is not extant. from you.