0.0 – Christian Science Publication Contents

1	   TO THE NATIONAL CHRISTIAN SCIENTIST ASSOCIATION               

  	    My Dear Students and Friends: — Accept my thanks
 3	for your card of invitation, your badge, and order of exer-
  	cise, all of which are complete. 
  	    When I gave you a meagre reception in Boston at the
 6	close of the first convention of the National Christian
  	Scientist Association, it was simply to give you the privi-
  	lege, poor as it was, of speaking a few words aside to your
 9	teacher. I remember my regret, when, having asked in
  	general assembly if you had any questions to propose, I
  	received no reply. Since then you have doubtless realized
12	that such opportunity might have been improved; but
  	that time has passed. 
  	    I greatly rejoice over the growth of my students within
15	the last few years. It was kind of you to part so gently
  	with the protecting wings of the mother-bird, and to spread
  	your own so bravely. Now, dear ones, if you take my
18	advice again, you will do — what? 
  	    Even this:  Disorganize the National Christian Scien-
  	tist Association! and each one return to his place of
21	labor, to work out individually and alone, for himself and
  	for others, the sublime ends of human life. 
  	    To accomplish this, you must give much time to self-
24	examination and correction; you must control appetite,
  	passion, pride, envy, evil-speaking, resentment, and each
  	one of the innumerable errors that worketh or ma...keth
27	a lie. Then you can give to the world the benefit of all
  	this, and heal and teach with increased confidence. My
  	students can now organize their students into associa-
30	tions, form churches, and hold these organizations of their
 
                                                                                                   page 138
 Miscellaneous Writings --- Letters: TO THE NATIONAL CHRISTIAN       
                                                         SCIENTISTS ASSOCIATION                     

 1	own, — until, in turn, their students will sustain them-
  	selves and work for others. 
 3	    The time it takes yearly to prepare for this national
  	convention is worse than wasted, if it causes thought to
  	wander in the wilderness or ways of the world. The de-
 6	tail of conforming to society, in any way, costs you what
  	it would to give time and attention to hygiene in your
  	ministry and healing. 
 9	    For students to work together is not always to co-
  	operate, but sometimes to coelbow! Each student should
  	seek alone the guidance of our common Father — even
12	the divine Principle which he claims to demonstrate, — 
  	and especially should he prove his faith by works, ethi-
  	cally, physically, and spiritually. Remember that the
15	first and last lesson of Christian Science is love, perfect
  	love, and love made perfect through the cross. 
  	    I once thought that in unity was human strength; but
18	have grown to know that human strength is weakness, — 
  	that unity is divine might, giving to human power, peace. 
  	    My counsel is applicable to the state of general growth
21	in the members of the National Christian Scientist Asso-
  	ciation, but it is not so adapted to the members of
  	students' organizations. And wherefore? Because the
24	growth of these at first is more gradual; but whenever
  	they are equal to the march triumphant, God will give
  	to all His soldiers of the cross the proper command, and
27	under the banner of His love, and with the "still, small
  	voice" for the music of our march, we all shall take step
  	and march on in spiritual organization. 
30	                      Your loving teacher,
  	                                     MARY BAKER G. EDDY 
  	CONCORD, N. H., May 23, 1890 

                                                                                                     page 139
 Miscellaneous Writings --- Letters: TO THE NATIONAL CHRISTIAN       
                                                         SCIENTISTS ASSOCIATION                     

 1	    N. B. I recommend this honorable body to adjourn,
  	if it does not disorganize, to three years from this date;
 3	or, if it does disorganize, to meet again in three years. 
  	Then bring your tithes into the storehouse, and God will
  	pour you out a blessing such as you even yet have not
 6	received. 
  	                                            M. B. G. E. 
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