Part 60 (2/2)
services?” I answer: It is not right to copy my book and read it publicly _without my consent_. My reasons are as follows:-
_First:_ This method is an unseen form of injustice standing in a holy place. [25]
_Second:_ It breaks the Golden Rule,-a divine rule for human conduct.
_Third:_ All error tends to harden the heart, blind the eyes, stop the ears of understanding, and inflate self; counter to the commands of our hillside Priest, to [30]
whom Isaiah alluded thus: ”I have trodden the wine- press alone; and of the people there was none with me.”
[Page 302.]
Behind the scenes lurks an evil which you can prevent: [1]
it is a purpose to kill the reformation begun and increas- ing through the instructions of ”Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures;” it encourages infringement of my copyright, and seeks again to ”cast lots for his vesture,”-while [5]
the perverter preserves in his own consciousness and teaching the name without the Spirit, the skeleton without the heart, the form without the comeliness, the sense without the Science, of Christ's healing. My stu- dents are expected to know the teaching of Christian Sci- [10]
ence sufficiently to discriminate between error and Truth, thus sparing their teacher a task and themselves the temptation to be misled.
Much good has been accomplished through Christian Science Sunday services. If Christian Scientists occasion- [15]
ally mistake in interpreting revealed Truth, of two evils the less would be _not_ to leave the Word unspoken and untaught. I allowed, till this permission was _withdrawn_, students working faithfully for Christ's cause on earth, the privilege of copying and reading my works for Sunday [20]
service; _provided_, they each and all destroyed the copies at once after said service. When I should so elect and give suitable notice, they were to desist from further copy- ing of my writings as aforesaid.
This injunction did not curtail the benefit which the [25]
student derived from making his copy, nor detract from the good that his hearers received from his reading thereof; but it was intended to forestall the possible evil of putting the divine teachings contained in ”Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” into human hands, to sub- [30]
vert or to liquidate.
I recommend that students stay within their own fields
[Page 303.]
of labor, to work for the race; they are lights that can- [1]
not be hid, and need only to s.h.i.+ne from their home sum- mits to be sought and found as healers physical and moral.
The kindly shepherd has his own fold and tends his [5]
own flock. Christian students should have their own inst.i.tutes and, _unmolested_, be governed by divine Love alone in teaching and guiding their students. When wisdom garrisons these strongholds of Christian Science, peace and joy, the fruits of Spirit, will rest upon us all. [10]
We are brethren in the fullest sense of that word; there- fore no queries should arise as to ”who shall be great- est.” Let us serve instead of rule, knock instead of push at the door of human hearts, and allow to each and every one the same rights and privileges that we [15]
claim for ourselves. If ever I wear out from serving students, it shall be in the effort to help them to obey the Ten Commandments and imbibe the spirit of Christ's Beat.i.tudes.
Notice
_Editor of Christian Science Journal_:-You will oblige me by giving place in your _Journal_ to the following notice.
The idea and purpose of a Liberty Bell is pleasing, and can be made profitable to the heart of our country. I feel a.s.sured that many Christian Scientists will respond to this [25]
letter by contributions.
MARY BAKER EDDY
[Page 304.]
COLUMBIAN LIBERTY BELL COMMITTEE, [1]
1505 Penna. Ave., Was.h.i.+ngton, D. C.
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