Dear Sir,
Your letterEditorial Note: This is a reference to Atkinson's letter to Eddy, dated July 26, 1877 (137.23.004). gave me pain as well as pleasure; the former was caused by my perception of the misunderstanding of me and my motives and acts that causes darkness in the minds of my best students
This misunderstanding you are by no means to blame for, it results naturally from the effect of one evil mind that is holding back the truth and in its place planting error and falsehood and the effect of this is to hinder the recovery of the sick and the progress of the well student
The sum you have paid me has been more than others have paid, who have said thousands could not pay for the benefit it has been to them.
I have the grief to see the right suffer and the wrong wrest from it every advantage all my time Not one third of the students I have taught have paid me for their tuition while most of them have individually received from my teachings more direct blessings than have you but am I to blame for this?
If only you understood how this comes about and the secret villainy that does it then you would know what my trials are Today the cause is receiving the severest blow it ever has had, from a student for whom I have done tenfold more than for the dear ones who are patient under affliction; this I could prove to you with the opportunity to do so. You have done great good to the cause for which I not only thank you but will reward you when I can have the chance. The secret effect Spofford is producing, and the discord that comes of it, you cannot see, but I can, and this villainy As Written: vilany you have no conception of! Unless he stops some of his mesmerism ( described in the last chap of my bookEditorial Note: The first edition of Science and Health.) I may come out openly in exposing him. Love to all.