I
have now finished reading the book. It surely is a very good overview for
students who have not read all the other biographies. Of course, there is
some stuff which has not been printed before. For instance, I liked the
expanded version of Edward and Caroline Bates involvement in the building of
The Mother Church in 1894. And, if one were in Boston one could look up
further reading about them. The book is good in that respect, giving pointers
for more personal delving into the archives.
There
is also more detail about Mrs. Eddy’s son George and his children – with
pictures.
I
didn’t look up all the Source Notes as I read the book, but did skim through
them after I finished the text. A
couple of notes took my eye: page 248 (p.111) and 258 (p.147).
The article quoted in the page 253 note is, I think, worth copying here, for the
quote from Mrs. Eddy about what was possible to achieve at our church services
–
Healing the Multitudes
FLORENCE
CLERIHEW BOYD
From the July
1, 1916 issue of the Christian
Science Sentinel
At a business meeting in one of the branch churches the
question of properly seating people at the services was earnestly discussed,
and it was suggested by some that the church-members occupy front seats, so
that late comers might be easily seated. One of the members, in giving
prayerful thought to the subject at home, came to the conclusion that for the
members to occupy any seats to the exclusion of others would not be conducive
to harmony. Should all the members be seated in front, the stranger would be
apt to go away unwelcomed. This led to the thought that the chief duty at the
church services is to the stranger within our gates. Each member has his own part
and place in the service, if the hungry and thirsty are not to go away as needy
as they came. If each member would know that he was ready and glad to sit where
he could best do his God-given work, where he could best supply the need that
it was his business to supply, there would be no confusion, no selfish
preempting of comfortable seats, but each one would be in the right place and
comfort and order abound for all.
In demonstration of this thought the member went to church
knowing that God governed and directed, and that no mortal thought could
prevent His guidance from being manifested. She found herself seated beside two
visitors who had never before attended a Christian Science service and who were
eager to know where the text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the
Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, might be procured. In the succeeding weeks she
found that every time she sought God's guidance and went to church with the
thought of giving, she found herself near some one who needed help.
Further consideration led to the realization that it is our
business as church-members to go to church not so much to get as to give. We
should go not only expecting to be fed, but understanding how best to help
those who have never known the healing power of Truth. We should take with us a
clear consciousness of the presence and power of divine Love, deep gratitude
for blessings received, unselfed purpose, each "seeking his own in
another's good," as our Leader says (Science and Health, p.
518). Going with such intent, could any return unblessed?
Mrs. Eddy once said to a student that she longed for the day to
come when no one could enter a Christian Science church, no matter how sick or
how sorrowing that one might be, without being healed, and that this day can
come only when every member of the church studies and demonstrates the truth
contained in the Lesson-Sermon, and takes with him to the service the
consciousness thus prepared. Were every member to take with him the unselfed
love which our Leader called for, then it would be said of our churches as it
was of Jesus' ministry: "And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they
brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and
torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were
lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them."
Only
through unselfed love can our Leader's hope be realized. When divine Love fills
our churches to the exclusion of self, the multitudes will throng them as they
thronged Jesus, and they will be healed of their sorrows and their sufferings.
The fulfillment of this vision rests with us as adherents to and exponents of her
teachings.
Oh yes! The other comment
I make is that it seems to me students came to Mrs. Eddy study in Class in
order learn how to heal, and to make a living from the practice. Is that
different to-day?
