Unremitting toil

June, 2016 Book.  Persistent Pilgrim: The Life of Mary Baker Eddy by Richard A. Nenneman

Amazingly, I do not have this book on my shelf.  However, it was on the shelf at our Reading Room, for sale.  Julie tells me I have read her copy, but I have no recollection of it.

The first thing that is different about this book is that the reproduction of a painting of Mary Baker Eddy by Max Bohm is loosely attached – almost “tipped on” as a printer might say.  Is this so that one can frame it?

The second thing is the Mary Baker Eddy quotes on page v.  They are so appropriate for the theme of the book –

Only by persistent, unremitting, straightforward toil; by turning neither to the right nor to the left, seeking no other pursuit or pleasure than that which cometh from God, can you win and wear the crown of the faithful.  Miscellaneous Writings 340:6

Whoever opens the way in Christian Science is a pilgrim and stranger, marking out the path for generations yet unborn.  Science and Health - 174:14

I found another quote with the word “toil” coupled with “unremitting” in Miscellaneous Writings:

The discovery and founding of Christian Science has cost more than thirty years of unremitting toil and unrest; but comparing those with the joy of knowing that the sinner and the sick are helped thereby, that time and eternity bear witness to this gift of God to the race, I am the debtor.  (382:6)

The word “unrest” stands out to me. 

And so on to the text. How about this for a motto: “First convince yourself and then you can convince others” (page 5), quoting Socrates' rule of teaching by questions and answers.

In her classes, Mrs. Eddy  was able to dissect the mind of the pupil “more critically than the body of a subject laid bare for anatomical examination” (page 4).

Isn’t it grand that Christian Science is also Moral Science, as first named by Mrs. Eddy? See p. 5. Really moving along, aren’t I?

Joyce Voysey