“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:”
Before Plainfield I was somewhat confused and unclear about the Christian aspect of this Science, in which giving thanks to God is a huge part. I cannot account for it except the lack of true understanding of Mrs. Eddy, who I am learning from many “unauthorized” sources, was considered deeply Christian woman by those who knew her both in and out of the movement. It is like we lost our roots in the name of protecting the movement. This is a huge disservice since as I am leaning it is Christian characteristics that are necessary to practice this Science such as honesty, gratitude, patience, selfless, hatred for iniquity, forgiveness, all Biblically based and according to Jesus’ teaching.
Mrs. Eddy writes, “I became early a child of the Church, an eager lover and student of vital Christianity….Full of charity and good works, busy about their Master’s business, they had no time or desire to defame their fellow-men….they were willing to renounce all for Him….They were heroes in the strife; they armed quickly, aimed deadly, and spared no denunciation. Their convictions were honest, and they lived them; and the sermons their lives preached caused me to love their doctrines…. that to love God and keep His commandments is the whole duty of man. Such churchmen and the Bible, especially the First Commandment of the Decalogue, and Ninety-first Psalm, the Sermon on the Mount, and St. John’s Revelation, educated my thought many years, yea, all the way up to its preparation for and reception of the Science of Christianity….their piety was the all-important consideration of their being, the original beauty of holiness that to-day seems to be fading so sensibly from our sight.” Message 1901 p. 32
I am grateful for all that Plainfield teaches to keep this love of Christ burning in our hearts so we can grow in this Science.