Part 29 (2/2)

Yours in bonds of Christ, MARY BAKER G. EDDY [5]

BOSTON, Ma.s.s., 1889

To First Church Of Christ, Scientist, In Scranton

_Beloved Brethren_:-s.p.a.ce is no separator of hearts. [10]

Spiritually, I am with all who are with Truth, and whose hearts today are repeating their joy that G.o.d dwelleth in the congregation of the faithful, and loveth the gates of Zion.

The outlook is cheering. We have already seen the [15]

salvation of many people by means of Christian Science.

Chapels and churches are dotting the entire land. Con- venient houses and halls can now be obtained wherein, as whereout, Christian Scientists may wors.h.i.+p the Father ”in spirit and in truth,” as taught by our great Master. [20]

”If G.o.d be for us, who can be against us?” If He be with us, the wayside is a sanctuary, and the desert a resting-place peopled with living witnesses of the fact that ”G.o.d is Love.”

G.o.d is universal; confined to no spot, defined by no [25]

dogma, appropriated by no sect. Not more to one than to all, is G.o.d demonstrable as divine Life, Truth, and Love; and His people are they that reflect Him-that reflect Love. Again, this infinite Principle, with its uni- versal manifestation, is all that really is or can be; [30]

hence G.o.d is our Shepherd. He guards, guides, feeds,

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and folds the sheep of His pasture; and their ears are [1]

attuned to His call. In the words of the loving disciple, ”My sheep hear my voice,... and they follow me; ...neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” [5]

G.o.d is a consuming fire. He separates the dross from the gold, purifies the human character, through the furnace of affliction. Those who bear fruit He purgeth, that they may bear more fruit. Through the sacred law, He speaketh to the unfruitful in tones of Sinai: and, in [10]

the gospel, He saith of the barren fig-tree, ”Cut it down; why c.u.mbereth it the ground?”

G.o.d is our Father and our Mother, our Minister and the great Physician: He is man's only real relative on earth and in heaven. David sang, ”Whom have I in [15]

heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.”

Brother, sister, beloved in the Lord, knowest thou thyself, and art thou acquainted with G.o.d? If not, I pray thee as a Christian Scientist, delay not to make Him [20]

thy first acquaintance.

Glorious things are spoken of you in His Word. Ye are a chosen people, whose G.o.d is-what? Even _All_.

May mercy and truth go before you: may the lamp of your life continually be full of oil, and you be wedded to the spiritual idea, Christ; then will you heal, and teach, and preach, on the ascending scale of everlasting Life and Love.

Affectionately yours in Christ, MARY BAKER EDDY [30]

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