Young in Science?

So much in this week’s Bible Lesson on Christian Science resonates with Jennie E. Sawyer’s account of her encounter with Mary Baker Eddy. She and her husband were proof indeed that “You can prove for yourself, dear reader, the Science of healing, and so ascertain if the author has given you the correct interpretation of Scripture” (Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 547).

Sawyer writes: “These were pioneer days in planting the thought of Christian Science in different localities and placing the literature in public libraries, teaching the Science wherever there were inquiring minds and receptive thought…” (We Knew Mary Baker Eddy, Volume 2, Expanded Edition, pp. 1-2). The Sawyers exemplified the “sturdy pioneer[s]” who, along with their Leader and all those following had to “hew the tall oak, and to cut the rough granite” (SH vii: 23-25).

It is instructive to read of “The start of the healing practice” (p. 19) and “Discord within the movement” (p. 24), but I took special note of this paragraph on p. 26:

           1914. I once heard Mrs. Eddy say, “If one was foolishly sensitive or had a sense of pride as reqards gaining help from another, that was the time they should ask for it.” She never hesitated about asking students to work for her, even when they were very young in Science.

It reminds me of a testimony shared this week at our Wednesday meeting. A little girl was asked to pray for her mother. Relief came very quickly. When asked what she was thinking about when she prayed, her answer was something like this: “When I pray, I don’t think, I listen.” (See Christian Science Sentinel June 13, 2022 “Prayer is in the Listening” by Kate Robertson.)

Julie Swannell