To ——, On Prayer.
Massachusetts Metaphysical College,
571 Columbus Avenue, [10]
Boston, March 21, 1885
Dear Sir:—In your communication to Zion's Herald,
March 18, under the heading, “Prayer and Healing; sup-
plemental,” you state that you would “like to hear from
Dr. Cullis; and, by the way, from Mrs. Eddy, also.” [15]
Because of the great demand upon my time, consisting
in part of dictating answers through my secretary, or an-
swering personally manifold letters and inquiries from all
quarters,—having charge of a church, editing a maga-
zine, teaching Christian Science, receiving calls, etc.,—I [20]
find it inconvenient to accept your invitation to answer
you through the medium of a newspaper; but, for infor-
mation as to what I believe and teach, would refer you to
the Holy Scriptures, to my various publications, and to my
Christian students. [25]
It was with a thrill of pleasure that I read in your arti-
cle these words: “If we have in any way misrepresented
either Dr. Cullis or Mrs. Eddy, we are sorry.” Even the
desire to be just is a vital spark of Christianity. And those
words inspire me with the hope that you wish to be just. [30]
If this is so, you will not delay corrections of the statement [1]
you make at the close of your article, when referring to
me, “the pantheistic and prayerless Mrs. Eddy, of Boston.”
It would be difficult to build a sentence of so few words
conveying ideas more opposite to the fact. [5]
In refutation of your statement that I am a pantheist,
I request you to read my sermons and publications.
As to being “prayerless,” I call your attention and
deep consideration to the following Scripture, that voices
my impressions of prayer:— [10]
“When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites
are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and
in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men....
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet,
and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father [15]
which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret
shall reward thee openly.”
I hope I am not wrong in literally following the dictum
of Jesus; and, were it not because of my desire to set
you right on this question, I should feel a delicacy in mak- [20]
ing the following statement:—
Three times a day, I retire to seek the divine blessing
on the sick and sorrowing, with my face toward the Jeru-
salem of Love and Truth, in silent prayer to the Father
which “seeth in secret,” and with childlike confidence that [25]
He will reward “openly.” In the midst of depressing care
and labor I turn constantly to divine Love for guidance,
and find rest. It affords me great joy to be able to attest to
the truth of Jesus' words. Love makes all burdens light,
it giveth a peace that passeth understanding, and with [30]
“signs following.” As to the peace, it is unutterable; as
to “signs,” behold the sick who are healed, the sorrowful
who are made hopeful, and the sinful and ignorant who [1]
have become “wise unto salvation”!
And now, dear sir, as you have expressed contrition for
an act which you have immediately repeated, you are
placed in this dilemma: To reiterate such words of [5]
apology as characterize justice and Christianity.
Very truly,
Mary Baker G. Eddy