EVIL ~ A life of taking ~ Divides & Subtracts From GOOD
Essays ETC ~ 4 Volumes by Gilbert C. Carpenter Sr. & Jr.
| Collectanea of Items by and about Mary Baker Eddy ~ Volume 1 ~ 1973 |
Introduction
Collectanea was published in 1937 by Gilbert C. Carpenter, Jr. His book revealed for the first time the vast amount of spiritual enlightenment that Mrs. Eddy gave her students through her unpublished writings, teaching and remarks, letters, and healing treatments. The book had a total of three printings, the last being in November 1953. With the second and third printing, an Addenda was added with references to various passages in the original book. These were to correct, or add to, or give the source of a passage. In this transcript, these notes in the Addenda have been included with the passage that they refer to in the original text. Both Addendas included passages that were entirely new to the book. In this transcript, the two Addendas have been combined into one which includes only the new material.
About these Addendas, Mr. Carpenter wrote, “The compiler of Collectanea has gathered from various reliable sources the records of Mrs. Eddy’s sayings which appear in this volume. Occasionally the same sayings have turned up from additional sources but with differing phraseology. Just as the Bible student enjoys comparing the somewhat differing accounts of the Master’s sayings and doings as recorded by his several disciples, so have we decided to include here the varient recordings of what Mrs. Eddy is reported to have said. These additional statements prove that what has already been printed in Collectanea is substantially correct, having been attested to by more than one recorder.”
Aside from rearranging various notes in the Addendas so that they are included with the passages that they relate to, the original book has not been edited. This transcript contains all of the material that was in the last edition.
In some instances, punctuation has been added to make the sentence easier to read, but the content has not been changed. The titles of books and periodicals have not been italicized unless they were italicized in the original book.
Published in 1973.
Volume 1 ~ 188 pages
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| Notes on the Course in Divinity ~ Volume 2 ~ 1933 |
Introduction
IN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SENTINEL
for August 17, 1935, is an “Item of Interest” from the Christian Science Board of Directors in which they state that these notes recorded in Mrs. Eddy’s home by Lida Fitzpatrick, Laura E. Sargent, George H. Kinter, and possibly others, should not be accepted as genuine, or as giving accurate statements by our Leader. They state, “It is neither fair nor loyal to our Leader to attribute to her anything that is not authenticated in a dependable way. Writings said to be hers which did not come directly from her and which do not accord with her printed works in substance .and phraseology, may well be regarded as apocryphal, if not downright forgeries.”
In defence of these notes let it be said that the writer of this introduction has discussed the accuracy of the statements attributed to Mrs. Eddy with the following students: Miss Minnie Adelaide Still, Mrs. Caroline Foss Gyger, Calvin C. Hill, and Gilbert C. Carpenter. Miss Still served Mrs. Eddy as her personal maid from early in 1907 until she passed on in 1910. Mrs. Gyger was her maid from April to August, 1906. Mr. Hill served her in many capacities over a long period of years. Mr. Carpenter was her Associate Secretary for the period of one year from 1905 to 1906.
These students are unanimous in declaring the accuracy of the expression and thought in these notes. Those who served in the home declare that they have heard our Leader give just such cryptic pronouncements, day after day. They also declare that she was most insistent on accuracy in quoting, or repeating, whatever they heard her say, or whatever they read in the Bible, or in her writings. For any inaccuracy in quotation they received a severe rebuke. Therefore, we can deduce that whatever these students recorded was set down with the greatest concern for accuracy· Mr. Hill has shown the writer a copy of these notes which he has in his possession, and although not as full as those preserved by Mrs. Fitzpatrick, correspond to them. Mr. Hill received his copy as a gift from Mrs. Laura E. Sargent, Mrs. Eddy’s maid and helper for so many years.
Published in 1933.
Volume 2 ~ 74 pages
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| Essays on Christian Science ~ Volume 3 ~ 1900 |
Introduction
In compiling these articles by Mary Baker Eddy as contained in this book, and preserving them for posterity, the writer felt an impulse so insistent that he had to obey it. There seemed to be no alternative. While this step might be criticized from the standpoint of human wisdom, yet he would prefer to brave the wrath of man than that of God.
The ultimate of this initial step can be revealed only through further guidance and instruction that bears unmistakably the seal of God’s wisdom.
It might be considered an assumption for the writer to claim that he was guided from on high, but our beloved Leader has stated unequivocally that
obedience in Christian Science is living up to our highest idea of God and His leadings. On page 117 of Miscellaneous Writings, she writes: “The student of Christian Science must first separate the tares from the wheat; discern between the thought, motive, and act superinduced by the wrong motive or the true — the God-given intent and volition — arrest the former, and obey the latter. Be sure that God directs your way; then, hasten to follow under every circumstance.” This the writer is humbly striving to do.
The first step in gaining the direct and unerring guidance of the divine Mind is to show one’s willingness to follow any leadings that come, when one is convinced that they have their origin in the divine Mind. This obedience will inevitably fit one for the reception of true divine guidance, and no harm will ensue from previous honest efforts to obey God, where one was mistaken in his
interpretation of the divine will.
The effort not to be influenced by any other mind than the divine Mind — even though one may mistake its promptings for a period — is the only process that will finally bring true divine guidance. One must demonstrate trustworthiness before a revelation from God is placed in his hands.
It was Abraham’s conviction that God’s voice was commanding him to sacrifice his son, Isaac, the heir of the promise. Nevertheless, those who understand the nature of God as infinite Love, must believe that Abraham mistook the divine impulse in this instance. Yet his unquestioning acceptance of
what he believed to be a divine command and his willingness even to commit murder if he thought his heavenly Father directed it, illustrated an attitude of mind that made him worthy to perceive aright the heavenly purpose, and it was “imputed unto him for righteousness.” In other words, he took the mental step, obedience to which he believed was the divine demand — a step which is always necessary as a preliminary to one’s gaining true divine guidance from God in daily affairs.
Published in 1900.
Volume 3 ~ 112 pages
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| Fragments Gathered from Unpublished Items ~ Volume 4 ~ 1947 |
Introduction
Ever since the discovery of the recorded word, it has been used to preserve revelations from God and to perpetuate them, because of their spiritual value to the race. The Word of God has had a particular significance and utility throughout the ages, even before the art of writing was invented. Because of its inspirational power, it has been used to lead receptive thought above finite conceptions, and thereby to release it, in some measure, from the bonds of materiality and human limitations, and to bring it healing.
After the Master’s ascension, healing through the Word was lost sight of. In 1866, Mary Baker Eddy rediscovered this power of the Word to heal, when, by reading it, she herself was healed from the effects of a fall on the ice; and ever after, she pursued this spiritual light in behalf of suffering humanity. Not only did she give to the world the textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, but many other writings. She also voiced the healing Word in sermons, poems, and lectures. She unfailingly admonished and counseled her students by word of mouth and by thousands of letters. These letters and verbal unfoldments were usually designed to arouse students to their spiritual oneness with the Father, and to point out the deterrents of human thinking, or snares of animal magnetism, that would operate to keep mortals from being conscious of the divine facts of being.
As the years unfolded, the Word of God likewise unfolded with increasing clarity to our Leader. Her light did not grow dim; it grew steadily brighter. On August 10, 1898 we find her writing to Julia Field-King, “All who obey His word prosper, and His word is spoken through my pen and lips, even more explicitly now than when I wrote Science and Health.”
Such fragments as the above, throw much needed light on our Leader’s unpublished material. They offer positive proof that the words of wisdom and counsel that she spoke and wrote came from God, as definitely as did her textbook. If these items were of value when they were given, they are still of value, even as the letters of St. Paul, written to certain students and churches to meet specific and general needs, still voice the inspired Word of God to all prepared to receive it.
One might ask if there are not in circulation letters and notes purported to be by our Leader which are of doubtful character, even as there are apocryphal writings concerning the Master. Such frauds can usually be detected by an advanced student, but not always by the beginner. Mrs. Eddy was a mastermetaphysician, and could detect divine inspiration or a lack of it, as the case might be, even as a mathematician can human errors.
Published in 1947.
Volume 4 ~ 145 pages
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