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CSEC ON-LINE REFERENCE LIBRARY |
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ANNIE M. KNOTT, CSD
Some years ago, when Mrs. Eddy found it necessary to go away from Boston in order to gain greater freedom for the revision of Science and Health, and also for the writing of other books which have so wonderfully enriched our literature, many of her followers were greatly disappointed, because, as it then seemed, their captain had retired from the field and left them to fight their battles alone. Soon, however, they learned that this was far from being the case. As a result of the greater freedom gained by seclusion, she was enabled to work out the rules for our church organization, The Mother Church and its rapidly increasing branches, as given in the Manual. She also provided for the establishment of the Lesson Sermons, Christian Science Reading Rooms, the board of lectureship, the committees on publication, and the extension of our literature in the publication of the Sentinel, Der Herold, and the Monitor. The Journal had been established by her in 1883, and she continued to be a frequent contributor to its pages. Among the many other achievements of Mrs. Eddy's years of retirement from society, may be reckoned the building of The Mother Church edifice in 1894, also its magnificent extension in 1904, and later the erection of the publishing house. All of this, however, is but the outward expression of the mighty Christianizing influence which had its present-day inception in the giving to the world of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." The redemption of thousands upon thousands of professed Christians from a doubting and uncertain faith in God and the promises of Christ Jesus, and the awakening of vast numbers of avowed agnostics to a vital faith in these and a newfound love for God and man; the physical healing of multitudes and their moral and spiritual quickening, — these are the things that really tell the story of what she attempted and by the grace of God accomplished. Well may the lesson of her life arouse all her followers from the lethargy of mortal belief and the delusions of mere personal ambition, to wholehearted service in the cause of Truth. The cause of Christian Science is firmly established, thanks to Mrs. Eddy's reflection of divine wisdom and her unceasing toil. To us is now committed the glorious task of seeing to it that no smallest portion of our spiritual heritage shall be lost to posterity, because of any lack of appreciation or energy on our part. As we think of our beloved Leader, crowned with a record of long and selfless service such as the world has seldom seen, we may recall Tennyson's characterization of a great English statesman, — All great self-seekers trampling on the right. Mrs. Eddy's followers are such because most of them had hungered for but failed to find that which her teaching offers, the Science which reveals the facts of being, including man's limitless possibilities as a child of God, and which makes all the promises of Christ Jesus an absolute certainty. Like the Samaritans who listened to their townswoman's story of Jesus' wonderful teachings, we can say, "Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." Jesus, as a personal teacher, left his followers, but he promised that the Comforter, "the Spirit of truth," should come and abide with them forever, should bring to their remembrance all that he had taught them. Mrs. Eddy has ever directed her followers to look away from her personality to the Holy Comforter, and as they have striven to obey they have found the eternal and infinite source of all comfort, the Life divine. They will prove their love for their divinely inspired Leader by greater faithfulness at each step of the way; they will "wait upon the Lord" and "renew their strength;" they will "run, and not be weary; . . . walk, and not faint."
Christian Science Sentinel, December 10, 1910 |
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