Mary Baker Eddy to Sarah O. Bagley, April 18, 1872

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L08302

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Mary Baker Eddy

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Sarah O. Bagley

Date:

April 18, 1872

Manuscript Description: Handwritten by Mary Baker Eddy in black ink.

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L08302

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Peabody April 18

Dear Sarah,

I should have replied to your letterEditorial Note: This letter is not extant. sooner but I had nothing in particular to write. I don't really know where the mistake lie — but think you did not understand my letterEditorial Note: This letter is not extant.. I told you, or at least meant to tell you, that my class met that weekEditorial Note: This is possibly a reference to Eddy’s class that began on March 14, 1872. and I never got an answer until Sat.

The peril in which this cause lie was filling all my thoughts. Sarah, you are very unconscious of the ruin that the evil in some of my studentsEditorial Note: These students probably include Richard Kennedy and Wallace Wright. is plotting against me and has been for a whole year. I have felt it and knew it, but instead of stopping their influence in community and putting them on their own resources where they must have gone down, for nearly all my time I have done little else then try to change this vile nature in them and to sustain them and the cause. God will meet this hour for me, and a doom is coming when the tares will be separated from the wheatMatt 13:24 ¶Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: Matt 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. Matt 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. Matt 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? Matt 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? Matt 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Matt 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Matt 13:31 ¶Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Matt 13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. Matt 13:33 ¶Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. Matt 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: Matt 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. Matt 13:36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. Matt 13:37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; Matt 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; Matt 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. Matt 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. Matt 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; Matt 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Matt 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Editorial Note: This parable is also found in the Gospel of Thomas, saying 57. before the world, even as they are before me today. Remember what I tell you Sarah, and be prepared to let the hour find you with "oil in your lamp."Matt 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Matt 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Matt 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: Matt 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Matt 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. Matt 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Matt 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. Matt 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. Matt 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Matt 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Matt 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. Matt 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Matt 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. The great cause that I have established in the minds of thinkers in many places and for which I have borne most of the blows given to it, is now placed in the hands of lust and lies. Susan Oliver, at Lynn, and others like her, together with the recreant students, are governing on this ground alone, the opinions of their class, not of mine, and the result will follow. I am talking God and working for Him as usual, drinking the cup that my father gives meMatt 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. John 18:11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? , and prospering in the light of "well done"Matt 25:14 ¶For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. Matt 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Matt 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. Matt 25:17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. Matt 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. Matt 25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. Matt 25:20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. Matt 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Matt 25:22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. Matt 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Matt 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: Matt 25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. Matt 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Matt 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Matt 25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. Matt 25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. Matt 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. My Kingdom is not of this worldJohn 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. , else would I have the rights that belong to it. I have reproved you and others faithfully, when God has bidden me, you have needed it and have profitedAs Written:proffited by it, but one day the lessons I have taught will be learned by all, in experience, and then will you all appreciate me, never till then.

Some of my students are fit for their calling, those love me and understand me and I have great happiness with them. Others of my students have tried to destroy even this harmony, but they cannot and God will fit them through the furnace. The good suffer on account of the evil but the evil must suffer in order to be good

In love and Truth

MBG

L08302

Reproduced from the archive of The Mary Baker Eddy Library

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Peabody April 18

Dear Sarah,

The peril in which this cause lie was filling all my thoughts. Sarah, you are very unconscious of the ruin that the evil in some of my studentsEditorial Note: These students probably include Richard Kennedy and Wallace Wright. is plotting against me and has been for a whole year. I have felt it and knew it, but instead of stopping their influence in community and putting them on their own resources where they must have gone down, for nearly all my time I have done little else then try to change this vile nature in them and to sustain them and the cause. God will meet this hour for me, and a doom is coming when the tares will be separated from the wheatMatt 13:24 ¶Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: Matt 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. Matt 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. Matt 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? Matt 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? Matt 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Matt 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Matt 13:31 ¶Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Matt 13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. Matt 13:33 ¶Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. Matt 13:34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: Matt 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. Matt 13:36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. Matt 13:37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; Matt 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; Matt 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. Matt 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. Matt 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; Matt 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Matt 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Editorial Note: This parable is also found in the Gospel of Thomas, saying 57. before the world, even as they are before me today. Remember what I tell you Sarah, and be prepared to let the hour find you with "oil in your lamp."Matt 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Matt 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Matt 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: Matt 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Matt 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. Matt 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Matt 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. Matt 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. Matt 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Matt 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Matt 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. Matt 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Matt 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. The great cause that I have established in the minds of thinkers in many places and for which I have borne most of all the blows given to it, is now placed in the hands of lust and lies. Susan Oliver, at Lynn, and others like her, together with the recreant students, are governing on this ground alone, the opinions of their class, not of mine, and the result will follow. I am talking God and working for Him as usual, drinking the cup that my father gives meMatt 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. John 18:11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? , and prospering in the light of "well done"Matt 25:14 ¶For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. Matt 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Matt 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. Matt 25:17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. Matt 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. Matt 25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. Matt 25:20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. Matt 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Matt 25:22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. Matt 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Matt 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: Matt 25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. Matt 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Matt 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Matt 25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. Matt 25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. Matt 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. My Kingdom is not of this worldJohn 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. , else would I have the rights that belong to it. I have reproved you and others faithfully, when God has bidden me, you have needed it and have proffitedCorrected:profited by it, but one day the lessons I have taught will be learned by you all, in experience, and then will you all appreciate me, never till then.

In love and Truth

MBG

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This letter is not extant. This letter is not extant. This is possibly a reference to Eddy’s class that began on March 14, 1872. These students probably include Richard Kennedy and Wallace Wright. This parable is also found in the Gospel of Thomas, saying 57.