"Captain, why don't you heal your wife yourself?"

Page 113 gives a warm account of sea captain Joseph Eastaman and his wife Mary, their entry into Christian Science and subsequent dedication to the healing work. The page also offers information about Christian Science Class Instruction, a topic of special interest this year, with new Christian Science teachers having recently graduated.

Other students mentioned in the book include Gilbert Eddy (pp. 88 ff), Calvin Frye, Janet Colman and Laura Sargent. In recalling her lessons with Mrs. Eddy, Janet Colman remarked: "She mothered us so kindly" (p. 107). Laura Sargent was to join Mrs. Eddy's household staff as personal assistant, companion, and sometimes courier for 20 years (p. 131).

The household also included animals, and horses seemed to be Mary's favourites. The book lists the names of 10 (p. 134): Duke and Prince, Dolly and Princess, Jerry and Jean, Eckersall and Tattersall, Nellie and Major, and notes that a sign above the stable door read: "Always speak to the horses before entering the stalls".

Julie Swannell

A new world

The phrase "a world more bright", which gives us the title of this month's book, appears in the third verse of a now famous poem by Mary Baker Eddy. It was published in its present form in 1868. Its title is Christ My Refuge. This extraordinary poem now appears in various musical settings, including several included in current editions of the Christian Science hymnal.

The poem's message continues to be a source of healing, many of which have been recorded in the Christian Science periodicals during a period of more than one hundred years. For instance, Nancy Paton of New South Wales, Australia, sent in a testimony regarding the healing of back pain. It appeared in the August 6, 2018 edition of the Christian Science Sentinel.

During the late 1860s, Mary was forced to move house frequently. Her stay with the Wentworth family is especially interesting. Thirteen-year old Lucy recalled that "Her manners were beautiful and I imitated her in everything" (page 73. Perhaps she too had glimpsed "a world more bright".

longing for "a world more bright"

The title of this month's book intrigued me, so I was pleasantly surprised to find its source in a poem written by Mary Patterson (as she was at the time) during the American Civil War. Mary had received word that her "lost" son Georgy Glover, who was now almost seventeen years old, was alive and well. He had enlisted in 1861. A fellow soldier, David Hall, "wrote letters home for illiterate soldiers like Georgy who couldn't write themselves", and tracked down Georgy's relieved mother - Mary Patterson.

Mary's poem - written not long after hearing about her son's whereabouts - was titled "The Heart's Unrest". Our book quotes its first verse (page 52):

O give me wings and the flight of a dove
   Unfasten these fetters of clay
And sing me the song of a seraph's love
   While the spirit is passing away
 I gaze on the beautiful orbs of night
   Hung out on the boundless blue
And long to inhabit a world more bright
   And say to this false one Adieu

How aptly named is this book in the light of Mary Baker Eddy's later discoveries, the seeds of which were being sown even in this period, as evidenced by her healing an infant with inflamed eyes (page 49). In the meantime, by 1865, her world would appear to be growing rather darker, as she would lose several people close to her.

Julie Swannell

Joyful reading

In a side panel on page 152 of our book "A world more bright - the life of Mary Baker Eddy", we learn that William McKenzie was on the Lesson-Sermon Committee for 21 years. Also that, it was understood that the topics for the Lesson-Sermons covered the course of instruction given by Mrs. Eddy in class teaching.

I like the emphasis on beginning rightly - see page 165. This was an admonition to Eddy's adopted son Ebenezer Foster Eddy in regard to publishing her works: “...see that you start rightly in publishing this year (for much depends on right beginnings).” This echoes Mrs. Eddy's statement in Science and Health, “To begin rightly is to end rightly” (page 262). The next sentence is rather telling, “Every concept which seems to begin with the brain begins falsely.”

That same page gives us the surprising (to me anyway) information that Mrs. Eddy gave Foster Eddy the copyright to Science and Health – this included the royalties.

In reading about the newspapers of Mrs. Eddy's day, we often hear the phrase “yellow journalism.”

We finally have it explained on page 175 in a side-bar.

We have read of Mrs. Eddy's early morning turning to the Bible for inspiration. On page 183 we have a phrase that covers its usefulness. She said that it enabled her to meet “the cares that infest the day.”

There is a picture of a phonograph on page 190, and a side-bar about that instrument. This speaks of Edison's original phonograph which used cylinders to reproduce sound. I have actually used one of these. In 1942 my family rented a house at Coorparoo, a suburb of Brisbane. Its furnishings included a phonograph and some cylinder recordings. I think they included Enrico Caruso's singing. Perhaps he sang, “O! For the wings of a dove.” I am left to wonder how old it was...and what happened to it.

What a joy it has been to read this book!

Joyce Voysey

Caroline & Edward Bates and the 120 foot tower

I am thrilled to hear about Caroline and Edward Bates' contribution to the building of the original Mother Church in Chapter 17 of our book, "A world more bright - the life of Mary Baker Eddy". I thought I knew the story from having read Joseph Armstrong's account in his book about that building project. The Bates do get a mention in the Armstrong account, but their outstanding service is more fully described in our book this month.

Edward intuitively knew that his church needed him. He offered his services as on-site manager. The Board of Directors, of which Joseph Armstrong was a member, accepted his offer. The work seemed to be stalemated, with little work proceeding on the building, and there were only seven weeks to go till Mrs. Eddy's proclaimed date for the first service to be held in the new church. Here was an opportunity to demonstrate that “all things are possible”. Soon Edward had 20 contractors and over 200 men working simultaneously.

The report of Caroline's contribution to the project is so thrilling – it needs to be read and appreciated. Her climbing of a ladder to the 120 foot tower has a legendary place in the history of Christian Science, and was written about by Mrs Eddy. 

Mrs. Eddy's orders about the work seemed impossible to accomplish, but accomplished they were, under the direction of this supremely obedient couple. Here is an example of the way the work was accomplished: the contractors had agreed that it would take 12 weeks to apply both coats of plaster to the inside of the church – it was done in 12 hours.

We are told that obstacles arose constantly, but each time Edward reports that, “I would lift my thought and know that God governed and I could witness Mrs. Eddy's work.”

The work was finished at midnight – the church was ready. Edward wrote, “I was surprised. Every person in that room finished his work at the same moment. There were cleaners, masons, carpenters, brick layers electricians, and so on, – all manner of work going on, and all finished and went to the stairways to place their tools in the lower vestry at the same moment” Remarkable!

The chapter ended, “Noted Edward, "Mrs. Eddy's demonstration was complete to the minute.""

I hope all readers of this blog will have the opportunity to read the wondrous story.

Joyce Voysey

Note: Copies of this book are available in the Redcliffe Reading Room.

A bright report on the life of Mary Baker Eddy

A World More Bright by Isabel Ferguson and Heather Vogel Frederick

What interesting women wrote this book!  I just looked up their short bios at the back of the book. They seem to be well qualified and they have given us a “bright” report of the life of Mary Baker Eddy.

I do not have the book in my collection, so was glad to be able to have it on loan from our Reading Room.  I suppose I have read it before, but have registered no impression from that reading, if I have.

It must be very difficult to find a different angle from which to come at a new biography of the Founder of the Christian Science movement.  Much of the early part of the book records matter which is quite familiar to the student of Christian Science.  But the recounting of Asa Gilbert Eddy's place and influence on the Christian Science movement, puts a new light on that significant period of her life for me.

My first note relates to page 84's first paragraph.  It tells us something of the struggle it cost this author to put Science and Health's statement into words for humanity's benefit. “Putney” (Samuel Putnam Bancroft) wrote of her persistence: “I have known her when nearly crushed with sorrow, but she wrote on.  I have known her when friend after friend deserted her, but she wrote on.  I have seen student after student bring ridicule and reproach upon her, but still she wrote on.”

I am reminded at how little I give for the cause of Christian Science.

And there is a different angle in the picture of the attic room in Lynn where she wrote (page 84).  I love the thought that the only light came from above – the skylight in this tiny room.

On page 87 we find a hint of how to be successful in business.  Daniel Spofford was in charge of book sales for this precious volume.  He was assured that, “Love, meekness, charity and patience with everybody” would increase his success.

Mary's marriage to Gilbert Eddy was a big surprise to her students.  However, as we read of the important place he had in the founding of the Christian Science movement, we are so glad he came. 

What a modern-day-like couple they were.  He healed patients while she revised her book.  He did the cooking and other household chores; she preached and lectured. 

The recounting of the visit from Mary's son George gives a glimpse of the home and family life that was enjoyed by this family of three for three months in 1879.  George seems to have accepted Gilbert as his step-father.  We hear that he wrote back to his mother from his home, referring to Gilbert as father.

I finished reading about Gilbert Eddy feeling so grateful that he had been there to steady the ark at that crucial time in the development of the Christian Science movement.  He seems to have been the means whereby chaos was changed to calm in many directions.

Page 93 tells us that Mrs. Eddy's Communion Hymn was first published as Hymn of Science. It begins, “Saw ye my Savior?” It was published in the Lynn Transcript in December, 1876, and seems to be one poem that wasn't revised over the years. One is surprised to hear that the poem  Christ my Refuge was first published in 1868, but was revised and republished for nearly 40 years; the last edit was made by Mary in 1909.

I love the phrase, “white-winged angel throng of thoughts” -- my emphasis, of course.  And I was thrilled that it was the same in the original, as in the very final version.

Page 94 -- advice to Christian Scientists from Mrs. Eddy:  “Christian Scientists should so live that they will not need to tune themselves like a violin when they are called upon to help – they always should be prepared and ready to meet the need.”

Joyce Voysey

Sour grapes

Ezekiel is considered one of the three major prophets of the Old Testament, along with Isaiah and Jeremiah. His warnings to his fellow-countrymen while they were in exile in Babylon, offer today's readers with ongoing insights. That's why writers encourage modern-day readers to stick with this book, despite its difficulties. The bottom line? That there is one God.

Perhaps one of the most famous passages from Ezekiel is that in Chapter 18 about the sour grapes. This passage teaches that God's law overrides the belief that the actions of a human parent govern the behaviour or symptoms of his or her offspring. The lovely promise is that "all souls are mine" (verse 4). We are all children of the one divine Parent, and we are each responsible for our own thoughts and actions. 

Mary Baker Eddy picks up on this passage in various areas of her writing, for instance in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures p. 211:19, she writes that "The transfer of the thoughts of one erring mind to another, Science renders impossible," and in her Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896 p. 72, "For the innocent babe to be born a lifelong sufferer because of his parents' mistakes or sins, were sore injustice..."

Readers might enjoy a poem called "Individual Proof", by Norman Aswald Walter in the April 4, 1983 edition of the Christian Science Sentinel. Interestingly this short and resonant poem mentions "cloth" - the subject of yesterday's blog post. Here is a snippet: "A father's stain, his cloth shows./ I know my fabric—uniquely mine—"

One commentator, writing in the Christian Science Sentinel August 3, 2009, concludes that 
"Ezekiel's words redeem the past and re-vision the future." I find that comment very helpful as I read this book.

Julie Swannell

Linen

Readers may be interested to read a very informative article from Biblical Training on the use of linen in Bible times. It was highly valued, and could be woven so finely that it looked like silk, almost translucent apparently. Linen is made from the flax plant, and both Egypt and Lebanon had skilled weavers of linen. It must have been expensive, because mostly the wealthy, including the priests, had access to this fabric, which was used not only for clothing, but also for curtains. It was generally bleached to a startling white, but could also be dyed in stunning colours.

Linen is mentioned 87 times in the Bible, including in the book of Ezekiel. For instance, the English Standard Version (ESV) has Ezek 44:18 "They shall have linen turbans on their heads, and linen undergarments around their waists. They shall not bind themselves with anything that causes sweat." 

Unfortunately, it seems that sometimes pomp and circumstance overtook the people, and finery became more important than their obedience to God. The International Children's Bible (ICB) - Ezek 16:13: "So you wore gold and silver. Your dress was made of fine linen, silk and beautiful needlework. You ate fine flour, honey and olive oil. You were very beautiful and became a queen." Ezekiel was ready to warn them about the dangers of vanity in this regard, but it was Jesus who succinctly fashioned the counsel "Don't worry about the clothes you need for your body"(Matt 6:25). 

After the crucifixion, Jesus' body was wrapped in lengths of linen, as was usual at that period.

Julie Swannell

Showers of blessing

What a relief to come to chapter 34! No. I haven't read every word up to there! Skimmed is probably the right definition.

Someone must have been listening to all that prophesying from Ezekiel. Was it the humble shepherds? God uses their methods of seeking and finding the sheep - the ones willing to be obedient to God's law. In Ezekiel, we hear echoes of Psalm 23, the Psalm of David; even a direct reference to him: 

“And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd” (Ezek 34:23). 

Sounds like a prophecy about the Messiah, the Christ.

Oh! Here is a lovely promise for our country (and others) when having to cope with drought conditions: 

"I will cause the shower to come down in his season: there shall be showers of blessing” (Ezek 34:26).

This reminds me of an old hymn. According to one online source, it was written in 1883 by Daniel Whittle (1840-1901). Here are the words.

Showers of blessing

1. There shall be showers of blessing:
   This is the promise of love;
   There shall be seasons refreshing,
   Sent from the Savior above.
   • Refrain:
     Showers of blessing,
     Showers of blessing we need:
     Mercy-drops round us are falling,
     But for the showers we plead.
2. There shall be showers of blessing,
   Precious reviving again;
   Over the hills and the valleys,
   Sound of abundance of rain.
3. There shall be showers of blessing;
   Send them upon us, O Lord;
   Grant to us now a refreshing,
   Come, and now honor Thy Word.
4. There shall be showers of blessing:
   Oh, that today they might fall,
   Now as to God we’re confessing,
   Now as on Jesus we call!
5. There shall be showers of blessing,
   If we but trust and obey;
   There shall be seasons refreshing,
   If we let God have His way.

Joyce Voysey

"Ezekiel should not be overlooked"

Book club for November, 2018 - Ezekiel

Well, I didn't know much about Ezekiel, so have been gleaning information from various sources. One source, which was unexpected, is Ann Putcamp's Guide to Bible Teaching III. I did know about 2 of the parables: the measuring of the water, and the dry bones. Not that I fully understood them! And I wasn't exactly aware that they were in Ezekiel.

Everywhere, I read that Ezekiel was a priest, as well as a prophet – an unusual pairing. And that he was a contemporary of Jeremiah.They both called attention to the same errors* made by the people of Israel. Ezekiel's call to prophesy** came while he was exiled in Babylon, where he was one of a group of privileged persons - leaders - deported from Jerusalem (597 B.C.). -

Putcamp writes (p. 65) 

"Ezekiel should not be overlooked by teacher or pupil. He lives at a time when his word should have been heeded. So do we” (my emphasis).

Graphic visions were presented to Ezekiel; all to teach lessons. For instance, he depicts various winged creatures, and creatures with wheels, e.g. Ez. 1:16. 

Putcamp notes that 

“Such creatures and symbols were depicted on the walls of many ancient cities of Mesopotamia (Babylon). Ezekiel was probably using what the captives were seeing to illustrate his theme...Ahead of his time in spiritual discernment, he has been both misunderstood and unappreciated, even as he was by his own people” (ibid). 

I will digress here to wonder if there are any prophets in Israel to-day. I found that two 20^th century men are considered by some commentators to have been modern-day prophets: Yeshayahu Leibowitz (1903-1994), philosopher and academic; and Yehoshafat Harkabi (1921-1994), former head of Israeli military intelligence, and author of "Israel's Fateful Hour" (Ed). See the Shalom Centre website. 

(Ed. There are several other sites which offer insights into these two men.)

Of interest to Sunday School workers is Putcamp's reference to the Ten Commandments.  

She writes (p. 66)

“In Chapter 22, Ezekiel shows that the men of Judah have broken every Commandment; he refers to all ten.”  

She then invites us to 

“find each commandment within Ezekiel's references, analyse each, also the breaking of each, and specific results. Would not this be helpful in today's context?" (emphasis added) 

Putcamp insists that there are lessons to be learned today from this book. I haven't been able to find this reasoning in any other source. For now, I will leave you and me to work on that puzzle!  I have only found five so far...

Joyce Voysey

Ed.
* Ez 2:4 "they are impudent children and stiffhearted" King James Version
** Putcamp says: "His call is exciting, culminating in 2:1-3, 8, 9." (p. 64)

Ezekiel in Babylonian exile

This month our study is the book of Ezekiel. You'll find it after Lamentations in the Old Testament.

Ezekiel lived during the time of the Babylonian exile (586 BC). Some say things weren't so bad there in Babylon. When King Cyrus (who we learned about in our study of the book of Ezra, way back in July 2012*) allowed them to return to their homes, many decided they'd rather stay in Babylon. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York's brilliant web site has a great article (and fabulous images which I can't post here because of copyright) on Babylon. Here is a portion which mentions the "biblical prophets" of whom Ezekiel was one:

 At this time, Babylon is thought to have been the largest city in the world. Its population was surely very cosmopolitan: Nebuchadnezzar continued the Assyrian practice of moving large groups of people across the empire, in order to break up potential centers of opposition, to provide labor, or both. In the case of the state of Judah and the city of Jerusalem, such acts earned him biblical infamy. The powerful language used against Babylon by the biblical prophets would eventually be incorporated into Christian visions of the Apocalypse (18.65.8). By contrast, Babylonian kings saw and presented themselves as pious figures, 

Reference:
Seymour, Michael. “Babylon.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/babl/hd_babl.htm (June 2016)

There's even an hour-long video about the Cyrus Cylinder on the Met's site. All very exciting stuff.

And so we turn to the Bible and read how it all began Ezek 1:1 from the Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) and the Contemporary English Version (CEV) - sourced from Bible Gateway's fabulous website:

AMPC

Now [when I was] in [my] thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was in the midst of captivity beside the river Chebar [in Babylonia], the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.

CEV

I am Ezekiel—a priest and the son of Buzi. Five years after King Jehoiachin of Judah had been led away as a prisoner to Babylonia, I was living near the Chebar River among those who had been taken there with him. Then on the fifth day of the fourth month of the thirtieth year, the heavens suddenly opened. The Lord placed his hand upon me and showed me some visions.

Figure 1: Chebar River (Iraq) 

Reproduced from: https://www.google.com.au/search?q=chebar+river+iraq&rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBAU810AU810&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=QYaPhm0ZxuNk-M%253A%252CrRzdAFIvuPSbxM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kQR5rr5OWW19sFpcbovrf7PBynw2g&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwimxaDin7_eAhWMPI8KHYVUASsQ9QEwAnoECAYQBA#imgrc=iHZ_mNGJ0Cf3QM:

So, let's see what this book will reveal to us in November 2018. Happy reading. We look forward to hearing from you.

Julie Swannell

* You can check out the blog posts from July 2012 by typing "Ezra" into the Search bar on the Web Version of our blog site. 

Demand for The Christian Science Monitor

Christian Science Wartime Activities  (1914-1918)

To start out, I misread the book we were to read, and began reporting on the 1939-45 activities.  Oops! That's another book. Then I couldn't find a copy of the correct book, except on the Internet, which Julie advised us about. Anyway, Julie and I have been to Perth for our Christian Science Association meeting, and she loaned me her copy for the time we were away.

Now, I had read the book many years ago, and remember being very impressed with what was written about The Christian Science Monitor. At that time, I reckoned that the Monitor could be classified as “Elias which truly must come first and restore all things” (Matthew xvii:11). Elias is defined in the Glossary to Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (by Mary Baker Eddy) - see page 585 - and the quote from Matthew is included in that definition. It seemed to me, that when the Monitor appeared with the Wartime Workers in Europe, the war started to come to a conclusion.

On this present reading, I have particularly noted all the references to the Monitor. For instance, on page 18 we learn that six million copies of the Monitor were distributed in 1918.

In the chapter titled Beginnings, I found that the Christian Scientists in America could faintly see that what was going on in Europe was that “the world was vainly trying to solve [the world's problems] through a dependence upon human means and methods.”* In the same chapter, the sentiment is expressed that "...it was impossible to maintain an attitude of neutrality towards the world war for the reason that only those nations which had some understanding of Principle, as revealed in Christian Science, were adequately armed and equipped to carry a righteous cause to a victorious conclusion” (p. 21).

In 1914, America was not ready to enter the fray, but The Mother Church was soon mobilising to collect funds to relieve the plight of Christian Scientists and others in Europe. (I note here that Adam Dickey was Treasurer of The Mother Church during this period. Readers may be familiar with his article from the January 1916 copy of The Christian Science Journal, God's Lawof Adjustment. It was subsequently reprinted in pamphlet form and is still available in Christian Science Readings Rooms worldwide. It has had wide circulation and usefulness.) The funds came in, and relief was sent. This also included relief for the German students of Christian Science.

On page 24, I note that the delegate sent to Europe by the Christian Science Board of Directors found that the Monitor was "always to be found" in the American embassies of Europe. It seems that delegate, Mr McCracken, was sent to oversee the distribution of the collected funds in Europe. It is to be remembered that the Unites States did not enter the war until 1917.

Recipients of the funds appreciated that the 'right' thought that accompanied the gift had spiritual power. People's thought was raised to a more spiritual level and often they were able to repay the gift.

Monitors always accompanied the gifts of handkerchiefs, washing gloves and pamphlets which went to English prisoners-of-war in Zurich. In Italy, wool was supplied for knitting into socks, and the knitter paid one lira a pair. The devastation of towns in France found civilians destitute after the fighting. Julie has mentioned the Halifax incident. Monitors were gladly received in that place, especially as no other papers had got through. 

In 1917 military training camps were set up around the states of America, and Christian Science wartime workers followed them, to bring comfort and comforts to Christian Scientists in the camps. In terms of the Monitor, it is reported that 800 copies were distributed daily in Michigan in 1917. It was interesting to read that a camp in Virginia was named Camp Lee “in hono[u]r of that beloved leader of the South.”  This is a phrase which may find some objections to-day.

I have a note amongst my jottings here that asks, “How would we as church members react to an extreme emergency in our city today?”

Loggers in Oregon accepted the Monitor with eagerness and appreciated the “Song Book.” This song book was in the form of a vest pocket-size printing of some of the Christian Science (CS) hymns. We discover, later in the book, that the servicemen had asked for a version of Science and Health which they could carry easily in the vest pocket, just like the song book. This was duly supplied. Then there was a demand for the Bible in the same size, and it was also provided.

Rest rooms were set up around the country.  This provided a quiet place for the men to retire to. Here they could read the Monitor and other CS literature. Of course, it was a case of “all welcome” in these rooms.

Julie has advised me how I can enlarge the print of the online edition of the book, but I find it hard to get to the pages I have commented on in my notes. I have a note that I would like to photocopy pages 87-90. This gives a commentary on a  Welfare Worker's day – it is amazing!

How the CS periodicals were valued in those days! A Colonel, at a port of embarkation for soldiers going to the battle fields of Europe, commented, “Your rooms have served a purpose that cannot be fulfilled by any other Welfare organisation...”

The boys, including non-Scientists, found that the Monitor gave them only reliable news. And, it is reported here that, of all the CS periodicals, the Monitor had the widest circulation. It was a reliable source of war news, and each copy was a veritable mine of information on all the important topics of the day.

Now I have a note that I would like a photocopy of page 138. And we learn, on page 142, that the hymns in the song book were specially "arranged for male voices". In fact, “Large numbers of YMCA workers, Song Directors, and others encouraging the men to sing” were grateful for the little book (p. 148).

That brings me to the end of my notes, mostly taken on the plane going to Perth.

 Joyce Voysey

* This comment could well be applied to world problems to-day, for instance, climate change, terrorism, sensualism, etc.

Motivated by helpfulness

The term "Welfare Worker" appears regularly in our book this month. The term does not really describe the actual work carried out, so it is helpful to hear how one of these workers described his position: "A Welfare Worker is a man who hunts for soldiers for whom he can do favors" (p. 87). The book explains that "helpfulness" was the name of the game, and this might include something as simple but greatly appreciated as offering rides to others while en-route to deliver copies of The Christian Science Monitor.

Readers will be interested to read about the experience of "a student officer" who was in acute difficulty following inoculation during the First World War (p. 83-85, Christian Science Wartime Activities 1914-18). He was in an insane asylum and all was in readiness for his imminent passing.

At this point, a Christian Science Welfare Worker was called. He shared some "simple truths [the student officer] could easily understand", including some Christian Science-based metaphysical inspiration from a well-loved poem, The Ancient Mariner. 

When some difficulty arose within the hospital where the officer was located, the worker was led to "higher demonstration" (p. 84). As part of his prayers, the book tells us, he "came to the conclusion that 'hospital' might represent that which aids men to be well and whole, and 'doctor' that consciousness which knows and ministers to every man as a brother" (p. 85). Soon, the previously difficult attitude of some hospital staff changed for the better, and patients in this ward were being moved "to the convalescent wards or returned...to their organizations" (ibid) and the student officer recovered.


J. Swannell

A quick response for Halifax

Figure 1: Map showing Halifax in Nova Scotia. Reproduced from World Maps. https://www.google.com.au/search?q=map+of+halifax+nova+scotia&rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBAU810AU810&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=LolveyJ3xLSmMM%253A%252CcwMRmSFKXf8fLM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kR08XJES67V1MOJgMMNqUTmZTPvsA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiQ6-br-6jeAhVbfCsKHc2pALAQ9QEwBnoECAUQCg#imgrc=LolveyJ3xLSmMM:

Halifax, in Nova Scotia (Canada), was an important port for Atlantic shipping during World War One. In December 1917, tragedy struck when the French steamer Mont Blanc, laden with explosives, collided with the Norwegian Imo. Wikipedia suggests that approximately 2000 people were killed. The ensuing devastation - including fire and tsunamis - resulted in an urgent call for international aid. Christian Science Wartime Activities (1914-1918)* reports that The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, was one of several first responders. A team of five was appointed to immediately "proceed to Halifax with relief" (p. 61).

A newspaper in Minnesota later reported that -

"Catastrophe...makes strange bedfellows... As soon as the wreck of Halifax was flashed to Boston, The Mother Church of Christian Science raised $10,000 in cash, secured a special train, loaded it with supplies and with the cash and supplies was ready to speed relief to the stricken city.

"The officials of Boston, trying to get a special train, found the Scientists were a lap ahead of them, and special trains are not easy to get these days. The Red Cross made a like discovery. Both city and Red Cross hurried to The Mother Church officials.

"On Schedule time that train pulled away from Boston loaded with the workers, supplies and money of the Church of Christ, Scientist, with doctors and medicines from the city of Boston and with nurses and supplies from the Red Cross.

"Where has there been a more splendid sinking of human belief and opinion, of religious and personal prejudice, the forgetting of all revilings and enmities, in the bigger, nobler, holier faith in a common humanity? It recalls the tenth and eleventh Beatitudes."

An article titled "Remembering Halifax at Christmas", recalls the experience of a granddaughter of a Halifax man who was killed in the 1917 explosion. The article can be found in the December 1998 issue of The Christian Science Journal.

J. Swannell

*Copyright 1922 The Christian Science Publishing Society

"Hands Across the Sea"

World War One created huge and far-reaching hardship. The scope of the benevolence offered by the Christian Science War Relief Fund, set up in 1914, was wide, but it was carefully and meticulously conferred on the needy. Chapter II, aptly titled "Hands Across the Sea", chronicles specific instances of blessings that accrued from the distribution of generously donated funds.

One woman, a Christian Scientist, had been a sculptress before the outbreak of war. Finding herself without customers, she conceived the idea to make dolls. With "some slight assistance from the fund" (page 49), she was soon on her way with this new business, which proved to be so successful, that after a while, she was not only providing dolls for large shops in Paris and overseas, but she also needed to employ eleven more women in order to keep up with the demand!

Due to the remoteness of some regional areas of France, The Mother Church - through its local Fund committees - sent letters to dignitaries in 159 regions, explaining the fund and its purpose. These letters specifically invited applications to the fund and they "called forth a very general and enthusiastic response" (p. 51). It is sobering to read that some of the villages had been completely obliterated.

Some of the interesting cases assisted included:
- an artificial leg
- warm clothing for refugee children
- furniture for those who had been sleeping on straw
- packages for prisoners of war
- funds to evacuate children to safety
- funds for sewing machines which were shared among inhabitants
- bedding, blankets, warm clothing and boots
- funds to trustworthy channels in particularly devastated regions.

The sentiment from Mary Baker Eddy's Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures p. 13: "Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals" was put into action as aid was extended to a Protestant clergyman (p. 47), an American nurse (ibid), a young Jewish woman from Algiers (p. 48), some Russian ladies (ibid), an Austrian, Poles, Swedes, Italians, and Armenians.

A newspaper report dated November 10, 1918, is of special interest:

"It is not by almsgiving in the name of their religion so widely spread in America, that they seek to aid the victims of the war. It is rather by placing in each man's hand an instrument by which he can overcome evil and so eventually efface all trace of calamity, including war.

Is there any more beautiful religion than the overcoming of evil? Science, allied with this noble idea of Christianity, which for centuries has taken root in the world, becomes a means of uplifting the individual and his family both materially and morally. 

The wounds to be healed are innumerable. Universal brotherhood which is the basis of the doctrine of Christian Science finds its work here. The motive of the Christian Science War Relief Fund is to put into the hands of persons in distress the means of re-creating by their own efforts an independent position."

The stories in this book tell of comfort and relief felt through love's touch, generously and judiciously shared in ways that made a difference to many individuals. It is very inspiring.

Julie Swannell

Selfless teamwork

Among the front-matter in our October book, Christian Science Wartime Activities* (WWI), is a passage from Mary Baker Eddy's Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896, p. 120:

Beloved Students, loyal laborers are ye that have wrought valiantly, and achieved great guerdons in the vineyard of our Lord; but a mighty victory is yet to be won, a great freedom for the race; and Christian success is under arms, - with armor on, not laid down.

This book, copyright by The Christian Science Publishing Society in 1922,  comprises an introduction and ten lively chapters which report on the work of Christian Scientists worldwide as they strove to meet the pressing needs of their fellow Christian Scientists and others during the awful conflict called the Great War of 1914-1918 (World War One). In particular, it chronicles the inspiration, generosity, and superb teamwork brought to bear by the "War Relief Committee" - appointed by the Christian Science Board of Directors of The Mother Church in 1914, and the "Camp Welfare Committee" - appointed by the same board in 1917 (see page 14). 

We are informed that "more than two thousand persons served voluntarily and without compensation" on these committees, whilst the "more than two hundred" who devoted their full-time, "often lived in the camps and were subject to transfer without notice" (p. 16) were paid a "generous" salary.

Thus, the Christian Science Sentinel of October 24, 1914 carried the notice, which can now be found at jsh-online.com but is re-printed here for readers' convenience and interest:

A Relief Fund

By John V. Dittemore

From the October 24, 1914 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel

---

The many Christian Scientists who have desired to contribute to the relief of those of our people who are enduring the hardships which war entails, will welcome the opportunity afforded by the following letter, a copy of which has been mailed to all the branch churches and societies in the United States:—

To the Christian Science Churches and Societies in the United States.

DEAR FRIENDS:—This Board has been informed that, as a consequence of the war in Europe, Christian Scientists in the countries affected are in great distress. As a means of relieving this distress, The Mother Church will take a collection at both of its services on Sunday, Oct. 25. If your organization should desire to take similar action, this Board will be glad to forward to reliable committees of Christian Scientists whatever amounts you may send for this purpose.

Remittances may be sent to Adam H. Dickey, Treasurer, 103 Falmouth Street, Boston, Massachusetts.

Very sincerely,

The Christian Science Board of Directors.
By John V. Dittemore, Secretary.

Subsequently, a "member of the Board of Lectureship" (p. 22) [William D. McCrackan] undertook a trip to Europe (by ship, of course) "in order to organize relief committees in the different countries" (ibid). It is interesting that this person was interviewed by the US "Secretary of State and some of the ambassadors accredited to the United States from the warring nations" all of whom approved the plan, which was originally designed to "assist Christian Scientists who had been placed in financial difficulty by the outbreak of the war" (p. 23).

In Europe, selected members from local churches were mobilised into working committees and it seems that US Embassies were advised of the work in each case and responded with hearty approval. Countries involved included Great Britain, France, Switzerland and thence even to Germany, where local Christian Scientists in Stuttgart and Berlin stepped up to help. Subsequently, committees sprouted in Italy and Holland.

Some emergency funding was distributed immediately, with the effect that "the fear of those in want was so quickly overcome" (p. 25) that they subsequently needed no further assistance.

Two months later, Sentinel readers were advised that more that US$80,000.00 had been received and was being distributed to Christian Scientists, but that "hundreds of thousands of others besides our own people...are in poverty and distress by reason of the war" (p. 25-6). By April 1915, the War Relief Fund was made permanent and thereafter "a continuous and steady flow of voluntary offerings poured in to the office of the Treasurer of The Mother Church" (p. 27). Apparently, some individuals offered a monthly amount, and it was made known that if their pledges amounted to just one dollar per month, all needs would be met. And so it was done.

The Mary Baker Eddy Library has a beautiful short video tribute to the world's first Christian Science Chaplain, CS teacher and practitioner Martin Jackson. As part of his ministering to the troops, he played baseball, provided entertainment, wrote letters, and walked many many miles! There's even a picture of him reading the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings to a large group of soldiers in France towards the very end of the war.

Julie Swannell

*As this book is now out of print and copies are rare, readers will be pleased to know that an online copy is available!

What the prophet had to say about love

One could safely say that the recurring theme of the Bible - the story of mankind's search for God, good - is the spirit of the first commandment: there is just one God, divine Spirit, and to worship any other god or to attribute power or authority to any other is like stepping out of the sunshine where the warmth of the rays are no longer felt.

The prophet Hosea knew that playing the harlot with God - any sign of unfaithfulness - forfeits blessings.

Hosea 10: 12, 13 "Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men." KJV

Hosea 10: 12, 13 "Sow righteousness, reap love. It's time to till the ready earth, it's time to dig in with God, until he arrives with righteousness ripe for harvest. But instead you plowed wicked ways, reaped a crop of evil and ate a salad of lies. You thought you could do it all on your own...." The Message (Eugene H. Peterson)

And yet, God is ever by our side, as the duplicitous Jacob discovered, and as Hosea reminds his listeners (chapter 12):

Hosea 12: 4, 12 "...[Jacob] had power over the angel, and prevailed...And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep. And by the prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved."

Hosea 13: 4-5 "...I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me. I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought."

And so, is repeated the lesson of God's unfailing love:

Hosea 14: 5 "I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon....They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon."

Turning to the arms of divine Love, we are nourished and we blossom.

Julie Swannell

Ishi and harmonious relationships

It was lovely to read Hosea chapters two and three today and let them wash over me, especially chapter 2 verses 16 and 19.

Verse 16 says this:

And it shall be at that day, saith the Lord, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali.

Verse 19 and 20 say:

and I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness...

A little research informs us that Ishi means "my husband" while Baali refers to "my Lord,  master, or owner". I think we'd all opt for the first choice! Besides, the name Ishi is rather appealing, don't you think?

Harriet Patchin Botham mentions these names in a remarkably contemporary article entitled "A Purer, Higher Affection and Ideal" in the June 1954 edition of The Christian Science Journal. She writes: "Ishi is symbolic in a higher sense and more nearly approaches a spiritual significance. Christian Science teaches that God is husband to His entire creation."

In referring to the chapter Marriage in Mary Baker Eddy's book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Ms Botham states: "This chapter points out the rules for all harmonious human companionship and relationships."

I love that the Bible has enduring relevance to every age. The assurance that God is a loving God, indeed, divine Love itself - faithful, loving, merciful - is a continuing comfort, a constant and reliable companion.  

Julie Swannell

Thomas Leishman and Hosea

Ah! I found that Thomas L. Leishman's Hosea: The Prophet of Love (April 1969, The Christian Science Journal) satisfies my wondering about the harlot question – in simple language. Another article Hosea's Plea for Knowledge of God * (May 1969, The Christian Science Journal) is of great value too. 

There is even an article written with Sunday School teaching in mind – “The Sabbath School Children shall be taught the Scriptures"** (May 20, 1944 Christian Science Sentinel).

Leishman wrote Bible commentary which was published in The Christian Science Journal in the 1960s and 70s. He also published his own story in Why I am a Christian Scientist. A lot of his work can be found on JSH-Online.com As I recall, he was Scottish and a minister of the Church of Scotland, before coming to Christian Science. 

I find that he also wrote The Bible Handbook, which I am thinking would be a good investment.

On reviewing Leishman's list of articles in The Christian Science Journal, I find this could well be used as a detailed and instructive study programme. 

Joyce Voysey

*Ed. I note Leishman's use of the phrase "a constructive approach" when describing Hosea's method of imparting his message.

**Ed. This passage is particularly relevant to our study: "Hosea has been justly described as 'the prophet of love." and the Sunday school teacher's personal study of the relation between this prophet's work and the Gospels, and particularly the Gospel of John, the beloved disciple, provides much that aids him in setting forth Hosea as a living and lovable character, one who went far towards preparing for the concept of God as Love expressed by Christ Jesus, recorded by John, and so beautifully emphasized by Mrs. Eddy."

Hosea broadens the OT concept of God

Well Hosea was puzzling me. But I looked him up in Dummelow's Commentary of the Bible, and I am satisfied for the moment.

He tells me that Hosea and Amos mark the beginning of literary, as distinct from purely oral, prophecy. The message was first orally delivered and then written down. No doubt there was more than one sitting to the delivery of the message.

Dummelow also gives an overview of the historical situation at the time. Scanning what he has written, one finds these words: death, anarchy, terror, captivity, assassination, slain, weakness of king, murdered, seized the throne, ravaging, conspiracy, invaded. Anything but a reign of peace with so many seeking to rule. Not exactly the peaceful time of Isaac we are reading about in this week's Christian Science Lesson-Sermon!

Hosea used his own life experience to point out the errors of the Israelites' ways. And “tenderness” stands out as a dominant quality in the man's approach both to his wife's harlot-type ways and those of the Israelites.

About that tenderness, Dummelow says, “Those who imagine that the God of the Old Testament is only a God of justice and wrath might well study this book attentively.” Isn't that great?

He also says that St Paul explains some of Hosea's prophecies as fulfilled in the Christian church. So I must look up those references:

Rom 9:25, 26 “As he saith also in O'see, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.”

And I Cor 15:55: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” Paul relates to Hosea 13:14 (in part): O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction.”

Did anyone listen and heed Hosea's message?

Joyce Voysey

Online resources for Hosea

There are many online resources for the book of Hosea.

Here are some you may find helpful:

 Biblewise website

The Hosea Love Story (Irving Bible Church)

also articles from the Christian Science periodicals - available in your local Reading Room

Love and healing

Our September book is Hosea, from the Old Testament. 

Why is he sometimes called the "Prophet of Divine Love"?

Let's find out as we plunge into this little book. 

Glancing at chapter six, verse one, the following took my eye: 

"Come and let us return unto the Lord: for ...he will heal us; ...he will bind us up."

So, here's another question: how is this promise possible?

Let's get down to it and find some answers together.

Happy discovery everyone.

"armed with power girt for the hour"

Peel has a couple of “Interlude” chapters in his book Mary Baker Eddy: Years of Authority (YoA).

There is a lot about armament, war and peace, and American expansionism at the turn of the 20^th century. the Philippines, Cuba, and Hawaii were all in its sights. Hawaii was “annexed” and eventually became a state, but there was war over the Philippines and Cuba, both of which eventually re-gained their independence.

The story has always been rather hazy for me. The Philippines and Cuba are so far away from each other – and there was no Panama Canal* at that time. I looked up a bit of history of the Philippines.My research suggests that Indonesians came to the islands around 3,000 BC, Malays 200 BC, and also “waves of Chinese”. Islam arrived via Borneo in the late 14^th century, while the 16^th century brought Spanish invaders. After the defeat of Spain by the USA, the Philippines was ceded to the USA. Then came World War II, General MacArthur, the end of the war, and independence in 1945.

[*Ed. Wikipedia has this interesting note: "A small flow of European immigrants came with the opening of the Suez Canal, (mid nineteenth century) which cut the travel time between Europe and the Philippines by half. New ideas about government and society, which the friars and colonial authorities found dangerous, quickly found their way into the Philippines, notably through the Freemasons, who along with others, spread the ideals of the American, French and other revolutions, including Spanish liberalism...In December, 1898, the Treaty of Paris (1898) was signed, ending the Spanish–American War and selling the Philippines to the United States for $20 million. With this treaty, Spanish rule in the Philippines formally ended...On February 4, 1899, the Philippine–American War began with the Battle of Manila (1899) between Americans forces and the nascent Philippine Republic."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Philippines_(1521%E2%80%931898]

Cuba's history is somewhat dizzying: Columbus claimed it for Spain in 1492; it was a protectorate of the USA in 1898; and gained its independence in 1902, although Guantanamo Bay was leased to the USA! And what a chequered time it has had since then.

I like this quote from Mary Baker Eddy: “But if our nation's rights or honor were seized, every citizen would be a soldier and woman would be armed with power girt for the hour” (YoA, page 134).** I like to think that there need not be a single material weapon in the conflict.

[**Ed. The original appeared in the Boston Herald, March  1898, and is now available in Mary Baker Eddy's Miscellany p. 277 under the title Peace and War: Other Ways than our Own.] 

Hey! I have always read “citizen” as standing for the male members of the race. Not so in 2018. But what about 1900? In the course of my delving, I found a very interesting fact from the Australian point of view. I researched the question: “When did citizenship start in the US?” and found the following quoted on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web site: "The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and Alien Contract Labor laws of 1885 and 1887 prohibited certain laborers from immigrating to the Unites States." [https://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/our-history/agency-history/early-american-immigration-policies.]

And on page 138 (YoA), a very telling point is made: “For Mrs. Eddy, the healing of the individual was still the basis on which the healing of the nations must rest . . .when that (i.e. individual healing) has taken hold of mankind...the other will in time follow as a necessary sequence.”

How important is the healing of the individual!

We are indebted to Peel for his sharing of the experience of Mrs. Conger in China at the time of the Boxer Rebellion. Mrs Conger could see China standing up for itself.

Note 29 (see page 421) has an interesting comment, quoted from the book, A Century of Christian Science Healing, (possibly written by Peel as editor of that book): 

“Whether a Christian Scientist participates in the social battles of our day as a liberal or a conservative, a fighter or a reconciler, a partisan or an independent, a private or a general, his ultimate purpose is to heal. Yet most Christian Scientists would probably agree that up to now only a small fraction of the healing dynamic of their religion has been utilized in relation to the urgent collective problems facing the world.”

Joyce Voysey