I was glad to hear from youEditorial Note: Clara E. Choate had written to Mary Baker Eddy on the same day, July 27, 1882 (see 025A.10.030). and hope you will glide round the world like a haunting presence doing all the good that I know you are so capable of doing Hold the Fort for I am coming Be wise as a serpent and harmless as the dovesMatt 10:16 ¶Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. that are cooing over my window I hope my forty days in the wildernessMatt 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Matt 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. Matt 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. Matt 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matt 4:5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, Matt 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Matt 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Matt 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; Matt 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Matt 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Matt 4:11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Mark 1:12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. Mark 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him. Luke 4:1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Luke 4:2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. Luke 4:3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Luke 4:5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. Luke 4:6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. Luke 4:7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Luke 4:9 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: Luke 4:10 For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: Luke 4:11 And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Luke 4:12 And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Luke 4:13 And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season. is about over But when I shall return will depend on circumstancesEditorial Note: Mary Baker Eddy returned to Boston on August 6, 1882. She had gone to Barton, Vermont, to take some time away after her husband's passing. She was accompanied by Alice Sibley and they stayed at Arthur Buswell's family home for a month. [*]Editorial Note: A metamark that looks like an X appears at this point in the manuscript.

My lecture made a big stir a Rev. Methodist called on me the next day and talked pretty much all the A. M. and an M. D. talks of studying I will teach you anew when I returnEditorial Note: Clara E. Choate was a student in Eddy's class that began on August 15, 1882. The other members of the class were: Charles D. Barbour, George D. Choate, Sarah H. Crosse, and Alice M. Sibley. and know I shall have an interesting old head lecturer and healer student again Alice sends lots of love DrEditorial Note: Arthur T. Buswell did not have a medical degree, but in the nineteenth century, persons practicing various “healing arts” were often called “doctor.” Buswell the kindest regards and please remember me in love to your husband and darling Warren give a kiss

Ever as ever