I have not been unmindful of your request to let you know my state of mind and my "persuasions" after reading Mrs. Eddys volumesEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. As I took it you entertained the hope that they would persuade me of the unreality of my nearsightedness. I cannot at all agree with Mrs. Eddy that man's thoughts have conferred all the qualities on matter. From a theistic standpoint or from an atheistic standpoint, from geology, f [?] Unclear or illegible rom the revelations (not governed, because not looked forward to, by mans Corrected: man's expectations) — the unexpected revelations, showing that matter had its same qualities before man came upon the earth, and now has the same in the sun and other planets where man's mind is not acting upon the elements — from all these and other reasons, I see clearly that what we call matter has qualities in itself. The prism or lens brings light to a certain focus because it has qualities in itself as real as my qualities or myself, which cause the ray to so focus. My eye is a mechanical thing — as real — as positively having qualities in itself as the outside prism or lens of glass. Now it is just as easy to think the glass lens into focusing differently as to focus think my eyes into focusing differently. You cant Corrected: can't do it, Mrs. Eddy cant Corrected: can't do it, I cant Corrected: can't do it — all of us together cant Corrected: can't do it. Nor will your explanation (the same as Mrs. Eddy's) of the difference between lower mathematics and Euclid suffice. The illustration is not competent. If the whole question lies with the thinking, it all turns on the thinking, and one thing is just as easy as another if one only thinks so, that is, if one only dismisses the error from the mind. There are things – many things — which mental science, in the nature of the case, is not adequate for, cannot do, never will be able to do. Such a case as my nearsightedness depending on structural causes, is an instance. I throw it down to you or any of you or all of you, as a test. I will recant all objections, confess to false views and unfounded opposition, and "be converted" if my single case can be cured — or indeed anybody elses Corrected: else's case which I shall have found to be of the same s kind as my own. I shall likewise be glad to add $50000Editorial Note: $500.00 in 1886 is the equivalent of $14,413.31 in 2021. as fee in the case. Some things you can do, I know. But there are things which you cannot do — a whole line of them — and they disprove the fundamental philosophy of your school. These are my convictions after studying all sources and making tests with you and others. You asked me to write them to you, and I have done so honestly and frankly. I judge you will take no offense — no more than I did at having you speak freely when I called on you and asked you to. Now what are you inclined to say or propose about my eyes or the case of structural nearsightedness in general. I have told no one of your undertaking treatment of my eyes — or the agreement between us. Can you save Mental Science from downfall in my eyes? And will you. I assure you again that I am a sincere and honest inquirer, so far as I know. Would it be any pleasure to you for me to say that I believe mental causes to aggravate many trivial ailments which would disappear if deliberately neglected, so as to make them serious, that I am convinced that the habit of watching, of suspecioningCorrected:suspicioning, of prying into oneself is damaging (as in dyspepsia, neuralgia, &cExpanded:et cetera) — finally that even such a cause as you named in your last to me (envy) may derange one's system — make them sick? This all and something more I do believe. May I, Miss Brown, recommend you a book testifying strongly and scientifically to mental therapeutics? It is a noble book. Tuke's Influence of the Mind on the Body Jansen McClurg & Co, or W. T. Keener 96 Washington St., can furnish it to you. —

Can you straighten me out physically or mentally? What are the facts and the prospect in case of Mrs. Fay's ears?

I did not see Mrs. M. T. Scott on her way through to Virginia after seeing you the last time. What do you claim for mental Science in her case? I recommended her to go back to you and said so much (to give you a fair chance) as to my favorable opinion regarding mental science for such cases that she asked me why I did not practice it. And now, Miss Brown, finally, let me beg of you not to consider me meAs Written:me too critical — at least not unkindly so. I have laid open all before you so as to give you a fair chance.

If you do not build me up in thorough belief in mental science I shall settle down to something much less complete and sweeping.

I believe I was to have a letter for my report, was I not?

I have not found or considered you afraid to defend your principles.

However we may differ in ways of seeing this matter I subscribe myself with much respect and friendliest feeling,