nurn. ^rA LIBRARY OF THK University of California. Received ^Zc^^'CCyey^ ^^^9.0- Accession No. (3 d ^i'i^. Class No. A I A»\ ^^i^^i^u^ Urn Accessic A Xbi«^^^/ /^*«^ y^^y IPaldjen ^ixxax. SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 1891 "Christian Science Voices." "Christian Science Voices," by Josephine Curtis Woodbury, press ot Samuel Usher, is at hand. The author has evidently labored for more than a dozen years through the power of the pen, as well as in other ways, to present to the public a genuine religion in the midst of many counterfeits. From the "Raison d' Etre" to the last article, "Who is to be Mrs. Eddy's Suc- cessor," there is no variation iu the key. note which seems to be an unswerving faith in the inspiration of "Science and Health" and its author. Mrs. Woodbury's writings in this compilation have mostly been published heretofore, a large proportion of them originally appearing in the Christian Science Journal. One of the strongest essays is from "The Outlook," having been written by Mrs. Woodbury in reply to an article in that paper by Dr. Lyman Abbott. Such leading dailies as the Brooklyn Eagle, Denver Republican, Boston Tran- script and Herald, as well as the Christian Leader have opened their columns to Mrs. Woodbury. The volume is enriched by a photogravure portrait from a red chalk drawing by the distinguished artist Eric Rape. A good portrait of an author is always a satisfaction, as it gives a definite idea of the mentality. Taken as a whole, this volume with its clear print, finely finished paper, attractive cover and simple style of composition is destined to remove much of the existing prejudice against "Science and Health." ^^:' '^Digitized by the Internet Archive |Lp| j1Jfr^007 with funding from %.^ ~ Mftrosaft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/christianscienceOOwoodrich / Zy^A^x^c^t^i^ ^CC^ CHRISTIAN SCIENCE VOICES. BY Josephine Curtis Woodbury. 188^-1897. REVISED AND CORRECTED BY THE AUTHOR. BOSTON, MASS. PRESS OF SAMUEL USHER, 171 Devonshire Street. 1897. Copyright, 1897, BY Josephine Curtis Woodbury. IT is inevitable, in both hasty printing and writing, that errors creep in, — errors in dates and facts, as well as in grammar and expression. Therefore, in this compilation, it has been the author's effort to correct all such mistakes, so far as they have come to her knowledge ; and this will account for some sHght differences between her articles as originally published and as they appear to-day. J. C. W. With malice toward none ; with charity for all ; with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right. — Lincoln. I cannot praise a fugitive and cloistered virtue, unexercised and unbreathed, that never sallies out and sees his adversary, but slinks out of the race where that immortal garland is to be run for, not without dust and heat. — Milton. And, behold, there came a voice unto him. — I Kings xix. 13. Et prout vultis ut faciant vobis homines, et vos facite illis similiter. — Ltike vi. 31 . CONTENTS. PAGE RAISON D'ETRE 7 Credo 9 The Outlook 11 Theology's Five Points 16 These Two are at Enmity 19 The Christian Scientists' Celebration 22 Item from Worcester 24 Language 25 Who and What is Right? 28 Simple Trust 31 Canon Farrar 34 Christian Science vs. Mind Cure 36 Is the Title "Christian Science" Legitimate? .... 38 Case of Healing 41 Review of Martineau's Book 43 The Survival of the Fittest 45 Christian Science 49 Lens and Prism 59 A Catholic Convert 60 John G. Whittier 61 Looking Back 63 A Report of Lecture 69 The Key to the Scriptures 70 Evans' Esoteric Christianity 77 Faith-healing and Kindred Phenomena 90 Identity 93 Worcester Lecture 99 Concerning Address by Mrs. Eddy 10 1 Santa Claus in the New Tongue 105 Analysis of Difference between Mind Cure and the True Doctrine iii Reputation OR Character — Which? 113 Still They Come! 118 6 CONTENTS. Jennie Collins 122 Hints and Helps for Inquirers 123 Uses of Hypnotism 126 Laus Deo! 130 Tests of Discipleship 133 Scientific Housekeeping 137 Worcester Daily Spy of April 5, 1888 141 Letter to The Bath Daily Times 146 The Queen City of the West 148 Christian Scientists 152 Jubilee of Song 156 Notes of Chicago Convention 163 Report of Worcester Lecture 164 Lost Opportunities 166 Mt. Washington 169 Some Apples and What They Did 170 The October Obstetric Class 177 Montreal Lecture 179 Christian Science and Animal Magnetism 182 Report of Augusta Lecture 187 Letper to Scientists 188 Report of Augusta Lecture 190 Report of Augusta Lecture 191 Animal Magnetism 192 Points of Difference Between Christian Science and Animal Magnetism 194 Report of Malden Lecture 199 Report of Malden Lecture 200 Report of Montreal Lecture 201 Concerning Christian Science 203 Dissolution of Academy of Christian Science .... 206 True Freedom 207 A Threefold Dilemma 223 Christian Science and its Opposites 2^^^, A Plea for Christian Science 240 Metaphysical Boston 244 On the Deep 250 My Tenets since 1879 251 Who is to be Mrs. Eddy's Successor? 254 RAISON D'ETRE. THE spoken word undulates into thin air, and so is lost. The written word lives on to chronicle human thoughts and deeds with unrelenting faithfulness. Well for us that we are essentially our own Clios, to character each life " to the last syllable of recorded time " ; for whether we reck or not, all are transcribing angels, each of his own bio- graphic page. If history be best studied in books not professedly historical, therein lies sufficient reason for the existence of this volume of past Voices. Though entering Christian Science as far back as the Autumn of 1879, "<^^ 3.t once was there to me revealed the existence of any special cause demanding my personal championship ; nor did I apprehend that my slight contribution to literature would ever rise in value ; but as the years pressed on, re-fashioning me in their fiercely rugged embrace, 1885 found me with a renewed mind, not only "speaking the truth in love" with my lips, but with "my heart inditing a good matter"; and slowly was my *' tongue" transformed into what the Psalmist calls " the pen of a ready writer." However, as I was but an untutored author, it was easier to speak than write ; and not willingly could I pose as a monitor over the motives and deeds either of myself or others. I could see that " old credulities should no longer bloom on the stock of history," but to myself pluck out these excrescences and thus forbid their wind-wafted seeds from flowering again, was too 8 RAISON D'ETRE. daring a leap from obscurity into a waging campaign, fated to *' change the trend of destiny." The various pen names attached to my literary efforts were never of my own seeking ; but only under some other signature were these essays or even my verses as a rule allowed to find a place in the Christian Science Journal- Wherefore ? Let those reply who cast their dice loaded against the believing novice. Sentences are wedded to a writer's individuality in Truth, and whatsoever God thus joins together should never be put asunder. May the mist of a dozen years mantle these early pencillings with a halo of charity as their crude diction vanishes in the afterglow of earnest endeavor ! Would I had written better, yet mayhap I wrote, as our forefathers builded, better than I knew. Herein, oh workers in the Master's vineyard, are heart-pictures gathered into a single gallery. Here, too, are amaranthine blos- soms culled from arid hillocks whereon they were forced to rear their budding heads, and now transplanted into a pleached gar- den, but whatever fragrance they emit, may breathe to you some token of a soul aglow with holy purpose, though oft smitten on God's anvil, its metallic texture thus rendered malleable to the divine intent, its dross "burned and purged away" in the con- sumingr heat of conflict aflame with the fire of sin. CREDO. I BELIEVE that God, in Jesus His Christ, manifests Life Eternal, whereby mortals may be delivered from all evil ; as is demonstrated in Science and Health, a digest of faith and practical holiness, born of its author's human experience, yet leading to present and future salvation, physical, mental, and moral ; though heavenliness is oft hindered by cunning thought- transference, developing intolerant vagaries, liable to deceive the unwary, by charging its own malice upon the heart-purity of others. CHRISTIAN SCIENCE VOICES. The Outlook. Originally published in Christian Science Journal of July, 1885, over signature. Christian Scientist. T)SYCHICAL research is the order of the day. ^ From the farthest Orient, where the study and practice of occult science are most extensive, from the English society formed for its investigation, and from the general stir of thought in our own country, come the " signs of the times " whereby may be foreseen the dawn of a new era. Mankind has become dissatisfied with material supremacy, finding no efficacy for fleshly ills in its pharmacopoeia, no panacea for its woes in its tenets and laws. By the law of opposites, man must, of necessity, rush into the realm of mind, for the relief which matter has failed to yield. " Le roi est mort ! Vive le roif is the voice of the hour. Sage and bard, theologian and scientist, for count- less years have searched the endless expanse of mental wealth, power, and mastery. Has there ever 12 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE VOICES. been a plumbline dropped so continuously as to sound the vast unknown deeps of Mind ? The most gigantic intellect, the most prophetic soul, the most penetrating vision, gives but one response : " I find immensity beyond immensity." So this psychic era remains unexplored. The most courageous navigators have left its currents of thought, ^ its cyclones of public opinion, — its trade- winds of peace and harmony, — its whirlpools of pas- sion and fury, — its storms and gusts of hatred and malice, — its ripples and wavelets of gentleness, — all as undefined and unexplained as when first the study began. But the chart and compass, which should steer the sailor through this troubled sea to the port of Heaven, were furnished by the Master. Apprehend- ing this divine fact twenty years ago, a certain woman, with no friend to bid her Godspeed, gave to the world her inspiration, calling all mankind to battle on this issue : " All is mind, there is no matter ! " Herself raised from hopeless disease, she wrought long and patiently, in silence and obscurity among the poor, that she might bring to the public a multi- tude of well-attested proofs of the eternal law of harmony whereby God governs not only man but the universe. So misunderstood were her published THE OUTLOOK. 1 3 works, that many predicted they would never be sold or read. The author was taunted with opprobrious names. Nothing daunted, she continued her glorious work of healing the sick and reforming sinners. The seed she sowed proved to be indeed the germ of Truth. Behold the results ! To-day Christian Science has a seat of learning, — called Massachusetts Meta- physical College, founded during John D. Long's governorship, in 1881 ; a Boston Church regularly established ; a large and flourishing Association in Boston, with branches in Chicago and other principal cities ; and a denominational monthly Magazine. The students of the College are widely scattered, healing the sick and teaching Truth. Surely the fruits de- clare the seed divine, for they are ripe with health and holiness. The principal of the College was its founder. She is also pastor of the Church, president of the Asso- ciation, and editor of the magazine. For which of her works is she stoned } Why are her students condemned } Branded by so-called Christian ministers with such epithets as frauds and extortioners , denounced publicly in every possible way, both for their theology and their works, they go steadily on with their labors, advancing the cause of Christianity in patience 14 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE VOICES. and love ; not answering accusation with counter accusation, nor insult with insult, leaving Time's winnowing to separate the wheat from the tares, but steadily demanding, with the invincible con- sciousness of right, that what brings out the most of good be recognized as nearest God. There are charlatan mind-curers, wholly excluded from the ranks of Christian Scientists, who take advantage of the popular tide in order to make money and speak in the synagogues, thus defrauding the public ; but Christian Science turns not to the right nor left, waiting for the Eternal Judge to decide who are working merely in the name and who in the Spirit of Christ. No one is recognized by the Christian Scientist Association as being a genuine laborer who has no certificate to that effect ; though many falsely claim the title. The time is not far distant when the public will be roused to its very depths over the question of silent mesmerism ; which evil is concealed by two classes, — those who are ignorant of this mental malpractice, and those who practise it. Ten years ago our Teacher lifted her voice, through Science and Health, in denunciation of what she termed Demonology, — the uncurbed power of one mind to control another. Animal magnetism and THE OUTLOOK. 1 5 clairvoyance were explained, and nothing was stated that has not since been found true. That which is false and unholy she justly exposed. There are still thousands of persons who know nothing ' and care nothing about understanding the hidden action of one mortal mind upon another ; but in all quarters this apathy is passing away. By reason of Mrs. Eddy's labors, and the practical healing through her students, mankind is waking up to the great subject of metaphysics, so long uninvestigated. Although the English society has begun in the wrong direction, (with erring mortal mind) still these investigations are steps toward the right, for they recognize the need of knowing more of the evil power, and this research will lead to the remedy in divine Mind. Christian Science bridges the awful chasm between mortality and immortality. It solves psychic myster- ies, and opens the doors of the universe with the key of harmony. Its avenues all lead to God. The Chris- tian Scientist finds that Jesus furnishes the way to, and the understanding of, the kingdom of Heaven. History measures men and women when the prej- udice awakened by personality has passed away. Time will give to the discoverer of Christian Science her legitimate place. Meanwhile thousands, whom she has healed of sickness and sin, " arise and call her blessed," and ''her own works shall praise her in the gates." 1 6 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE VOICES. • Theology's Five Points. Originally published in Christian Science Journal in issue of July, 1885. T^HE Rev. James Freeman Clarke, d.d., in a re- -*■ cent sermon, gives the five points of the New Theology, as follows : The Fatherhood of God ; The Brotherhood of Man ; The Leadership of Jesus ; The Salvation by Character ; The Progress of Mankind. In this list he takes a hint from the five points of Calvinism, which are these : The Fall of Man ; The Redemption by Christ ; Predestination ; Perseverance of the Saints ; Final Salvation or Damnation. Christian Science states its five points as follows : " All things were made by him ; and without him was not any thing made that was made." He finished His work and pronounced it good. Man was made in the image and likeness of God. Jesus' life is the true way. He who " climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." THEOLOGY'S FIVE POINTS. 1 7 Jesus did not do our work for us ; and we have the apostolic command that each shall work out his own salvation, and to continue the work the Master began. His bidding to the disciples was fivefold : Preach the Gospel ; Heal the Sick ; Cast out Devils ; Raise the Dead ; Baptize the Nations into the Spirit. Not once did he speak of death as a friend, or a stepping-stone to bliss immortal, but as an enemy to be overcome ; and he showed us the way to over- come it, — by preaching the Gospel as he preached it, and conquering sickness, sin, and death by Truth. Anciently, Christians were known by their power to demonstrate their understanding. To-day it is accepted as enough if we simply believe. What wonder, then, that Christian Science is flouted and maligned by an age asleep in beliefs, when it demands that again inward purity of thought be attested by outward demonstrations of power ; that sickness and sin flee before the stern voice of Truth, as it fulfils the law of God in Love. Let Church and State frown and menace. The former cannot excommunicate this coming of Christ, nor can the latter legislate profitably against it. We accept the last point of the New Theology 1 8 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE VOICES. Stated by Dr. Clarke, — the Progress of Mankind, and work for that end ; nor do we believe that our labors will cease until the full stature is reached, — the manhood in Christ Jesus. No church creed to-day makes such imperative demands upon its members, as does that of the Church of Christ (Scientist) ; for these must show their faith by their works. Christian Science is a vitalized Christianity, with no ceremony or rites to cool its warmth in the Living Spirit ; rather is it a Christianity calling for a perfect reflection of the Life of our Risen Lord. THESE TWO ARE AT ENMITY. 19 These Two are at Enmity. Originally published in Christian Science Journal in issue of August, 1885. TTTHY does error hate Truth? Why did the ' ^ Jews, in the frenzy of madness, seek to lay hold of Jesus, and slay him ? Had he given no testi- mony of the fount of Love within him except by healing the sick, the Jews would have tolerated him more readily ; but they believed this man assumed the prerogative of God by destroying alike sin and sickness. How was this work accomplished ? By the under- standing of the omnipotence and omnipresence of Life, Truth, and Love. He declared the kingdom of Heaven to be among men, and even then at hand ; and at this declaration of evil's nothing- ness and unreality, in any form, it faded from his presence. To declare sin unreal ; to demand of greed, hypoc- risy, and lust, that they fall prostrate at the feet of Love; to demonstrate the falsity of a claim to Life in matter, whether in its form of pleasure or pain ; to make God (Good) manifest, — these were his mis- sions. " Dust to dust ! " was the mandate. Back to the nothingness of the lie from which it sprung, 20 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE VOICES. back to perish, because melted in the fire of Love, or else to die in agonies of its own self-imposed destruction, — this was sin's necessity. To destroy sin, Jesus exposed it, as masquerading in the stolen garb of Truth. He stripped from its hideous shape all disguises, and revealed its original condition, as the serpent of the allegory in Genesis. From him the Twelve caught the keynote of divine harmony, and were filled with the Holy Ghost. For a short space of time they carried on the Mas- ter's work ; but for ages the vital truth of Christian- ity, — that the understanding of God makes man every whit whole, — lay unused and forgotten ; now it is brought to light by a woman, who declares Christ understood to be the stone which the builders rejected ; yea, the "head of the corner." How has she interpreted and given to man this divine Science of Life, for his blessing and guide } Through the purity of a life spent in communion with God, through self-renunciation, and through divine revelation. When Mrs. Eddy's writings were first published, and the demonstration of their Principle was the healing of hundreds, the cry of error was : " She heals the sick through the devil ; crucify her ! She is a dangerous woman." The world would not accept the Principle, which is God ; and when they could THESE TWO ARE AT ENMITY. 21 not deny the works, could go no farther than to cling to her personality as the power by which she wrought what were declared to be miracles. She met and defeated this charge, by teaching the Science of Life to whomsoever would study, and the result from her students' healing belies the charge that it was her personality which accomplished the work. When hatred and revenge claimed that she was not the author of her own books, law and justice settled the question ; the plagiarists were arrested, and convicted in public court. To-day the chief of them stands under $10,000 bonds to plunder no more. Again, from various quarters we hear : *' Mrs. Eddy is so wicked that she has lost her power to heal." This is a tacit admission that she once possessed the power, which is a tardy acceptance of her labors for the last twenty years ; but can a woman teach others to do what she cannot do herself.^ To touch the hem of her thoughts heals. Her College is always full of students eager to learn of , its Founder. They go out in large num- bers, finding themselves in possession of the power of the Spirit in so much as their lives are turned in the direction of purity and holiness. 22 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE VOICES. The Christian Scientists' Celebration. Originally published in Boston Traveller and afterwards copied into the Christian Science Journal in issue of August, 1885. T^HE Christian Scientists' Association celebrated -*" its ninth anniversary July i6 by an excursion to the Point of Pines. The Founder and President of the Association, Rev. M. B. G. Eddy, was present, together with nearly one hundred members, besides numerous invited guests. After several hours of social intercourse, a collation was served in one of the small dining halls, after which speeches were in order. During the exercises Mrs. Eddy gave to the as- sembled company the spiritual interpretation of the sea, with its ever-changing expressions of beauty and grandeur ; and as the lesson fell from her lips, each student realized more fully than ever before her power of translating the Scriptures into their origi- nal language. Mind. Dr. E. N. Harris, one of our members who had the honor of presenting the subject of Christian Science for the first time to the Massachusetts Dental Acad- emy, in an annual address at its last meeting, was t-equested to read the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted : — THE CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS' CELEBRATION 23 Resolved^ That the Christian Scientists' Associa- tion views with gratitude and encouragement its continued increase in numbers, and its successful progress in the great cause of Christian Science and Metaphysicar Healing ; and most heartily rejoices on this, the Ninth Anniversary of its organization, in acknowledgment of the overshadowing Truth and Love, which, through the faithful management of its able and beloved President, Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy, has given it birth and being, — and will per- petuate its existence by a united and loyal member- ship through very many years to come, that its beneficent influences may be felt far and wide, in relieving and preventing human suffering, and in the uplifting of the race to a higher plane of health, hap- piness, and Christianity. Resolvedy That the Fourth of July, the day upon which this Association was founded, be perpetuated as a fit anniversary season, for giving thanks and rejoicings with the American Nation ; but, in a still higher sense of Religious Liberty than that for which, on these very shores of New England, our Pilgrim Fathers struggled. >- Of THU 24 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE VOICES, Item from Worcester. Originally published in Christian Science Journal in issue of September, 1885. ^ I ^HE Worcester clergyman who reproved a lady Scientist for taking compensation for healing the sick, adding that " our Saviour did not take money," made no further reply when she wisely as wittily retorted, that neither did the apostles preach on a four thousand dollar salary, the snug figure he demanded for his pulpit ministrations. LANGUAGE. 25 Language, Originally published in Christian Science Journal in issue of October, 1885. OOME years ago it was my privilege to obtain an *^ interview with that famous tragedian, the elder Salvini. As he spoke no English and I spoke no Italian, we were obliged to converse through an interpreter. I desired to express, to the greatest actor of his time, my enjoyment of his personation of Othello, and asked the interpreter to say to Salvini that I greatly regretted my inability to express my feelings in any language he could understand. His answer was : *' Say to the lady, that there is one language which is the same in all climes and among all people, — the language of the soul. She has spoken to me in that language, and I also have answered her." What is this language of the soul, existing outside of and prior to Hebrew, Greek, Latin, English, Italian t Whence came it ? How far back in the buried centuries did it originate } What are its laws, — what the rules by which to master it } Is it finite or infinite? Is the human voice its mouth- piece, or the human ear its auditor t Can the human hand transcribe its meaning, or the eye of man 26 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE VOICES. read its message ? The right is ours to have these questions answered; and in the light of Mind, as brought to our age they are answered. Shall Christian Science, which alone can interpret the "new tongue," old as the Creator from whose Wisdom it sprung, be allowed in pulpit, press, or hall of learning, to voice the language of the soul, which is the language of God ? Shall the still, small voice, heard only when physical sense is hushed, leaving the heart free to catch incornparable har- monies, be denied its prerogative of dominion ? Shall we, in wilful blindness, deny the prophet's right, God-inspired, to interpret the handwriting on the wall ? How did the Master of this language, — the sole Scientist of the ages, speak to the dead ? " Talitha Cumiy Was it the words, reaching her ear, that brought back the vital force to the lifeless maiden ? If so, why will not the words perform the same mira- cle to-day ? The erudite scholar, who knows the origin and history of those words, is nevertheless as helpless at the deathbed of a loved one as is the most ignorant heathen. The savant's prayers are as powerless to heal as are the incantations of ancient fire wor- shippers. The oral languages in which he is so gifted are dead as the lifeless form before him, but the language of Soul, the language of the Christ, is LANGUAGE. 2/ living language. It is the **new tongue" of Holy Scripture, forgotten since the disciples lost the key- that interprets to moral sense the unbroken message of Our Father. Shall she who has found the key in spiritual per- ception, who comes with surpassing love, gentleness, and patience, asking leave to communicate this treasure to mankind, be welcomed } Shall her spir- itual interpretations of the Bible find a hearing? Let coming ages decide. There is no material cause, no selfish fame or glory, to be championed. This is the cause of God. Whoso lifteth up his voice against it, blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost ; but to those studying faith- fully this language, waiting to heed its divine behests,, there comes the peace that passeth understanding. Their words are clothed with power over disease, sorrow, and sin, for these are they who " speak with tongues." Yea, their language is Christian Science, — the conquering voice of Truth. 28 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE VOICES. Who and What is Right? Originally published in Christian Science Journal in issue of November, 1885, over signature Christian Scientist. \ T 7H0 do men say that I am ? " asked our Lord. * •^ ** Malignity had searched him with can- dles." Envy, hatred, and revenge cried, with mur- derous hearts, " Crucify him ! " Pride and passion betrayed him, selling their birthright for thirty pieces. Pomp, prejudice, Pharisaism hastened by " on the other side." Curiosity and superstition called him a false prophet ; while ignorance accepted every libel envy or malice could suggest. Lust and sensuality demur at "not being let alone." They are troubled by ever reappearing Truth. Who hath shown us the way which Jesus marked out } Is she right } No linguist taught her to utter herself in those tones which have become like the thunder from Mount Sinai, — heard around the world. No poet, sage or philosopher had the form- ing and delineating of her spiritual thought. No ancient or modern painter taught her how to transfer to mortal sense the eternal verities of divine light and love. No musician lent his genius to teach her how to live a life of unbroken harmony, and attune WHO AND WHAT IS RIGHT? 29 the human heart to sing the hymn of the morning stars. Alone, above, outside of all, she stands on that hoary height, up whose sharp sides no other steps have so directly toiled in agony and glory, except those of the blessed Master. Dare you say that because this Messenger is a woman, she is not God's ambassadress ^ How speaks He in His divine code of Science .-* It was woman who took three measures of meal, and put into it the leaven which leavened the whole lump. It was woman who took the ointment, and poured it out as an offering to the divine inspiration. It was woman who stood at the foot of the cross, when all the disciples had fled for fear of their lives. It was to woman that the Master first revealed himself after the resurrection. It was woman, clothed with light, who was to bruise the head of the serpent, while error stung her heel. Who shall interrupt the work of God } Oh fools and blind, do you see the reappearing of the Star of Bethlehem as the resurrected Truth .? No man Cometh unto the Father save through the Son. Ponder and pause at the awful sin of any attempt to plot against His anointed. Any effort to subvert the world's knowledge of the true Leader, but lifts her higher. 30 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE VOICES. It was Judas, not John, who, by betrayal, hastened the glorification of our Lord. History repeats itself. When was ever God's right hand, Over any time or land Stretched as now, beneath the sun? Will you borrow oil for your expiring lamps from her who has kept her own burning with the fuel of self-abnegation ? Dare you sit as Rabbis of old, silenced, while you learn a Christianity which shall give you life more abundant ? SIMPLE TRUST. 3 I Simple Trust. Originally published in Christian Science Journal in issue of November, 1885. T~\EAR JOURNAL, — As I was recently re- ^-^ turning to Boston on a Western train, my attention was arrested by a family party near me, composed of a young father and mother, and a little child, a year or more old. I watched and studied the group for some time, held, in spite of myself, by an indefinable something which shone in their faces, — radiantly beaming hap- piness ; and I tried to believe that they were simply a very happy family. Soon I heard them talking, and their words were tuned in a joyful key. When the little child had made some plucks at my sleeve, I was glad to turn and say : ** Will you please tell me, madam, what it is that I see in your looks.? I think you have one of the happiest faces I ever saw." *'Why," she said, "if you loved God, and God loved you, and had done as much for you as He has for me, your face would shine too, I think." Then I found that she belonged to what is called the Salva- tion Army, and this was her story. Two years ago these parents were living in sin, — 32 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE VOICES. the husband a drinker, and the wife not much better. A soldier in this Army went to see them, prevailed upon them to listen to his words about God's love. Their hearts were touched. They repented their past life, joined the Army, left their native place, and have been travelling over the country, never knowing where the night would be passed, or the next meal taken, but leaving all care to the Father. Then I began to interest the woman in Christian Science ; and as I spoke of the power of God to heal sickness, as well as sin, the happy tears rolled down her face, and she said : *' Oh, let me tell you something now which I have not told to many. A year ago a large bunch gathered on my husband's neck. He wanted to go to a doctor ; but I said, * Wait, George! Let us just take it to God, and leave it with Him ! ' In twenty-four hours the swelling was entirely gone. I know God did it ; and I am so glad to know that others believe that God will keep them from sickness, if they will only let Him." I gave the woman a contribution (she thought for her cause, but in reality it was for the sweet, abid- ing consciousness she had of God's ever-presence and care). I told her she had blessed me ; and she said I, too, had blessed her. And so we parted ; she to go her way into the lower walks of life, where SIMPLE TRUST. 33 all is dark and lost to a sense of God, to tell her wondrous story of Love and Light ; while I go on in the path which He has set for me. Yet are we sisters in Christ, and the mere accident of birth, which gave me the refinement of culture and educa- tion, and her a dwarfed and stunted environment, is as naught to Him who "is no respecter of persons." 34 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE VOICES, Canon Farrar. Originally published in Christian Science Journal in issue of November, 1885, 3ri