ise sayings and garrulous talk may fall to the ground,
rather than on the ear or heart of the hearer; but a tender
sentiment felt, or a kind word spoken, at the right moment,
is never wasted. Mortal mind presents phases of charac- [30]
ter which need close attention and examination. The
human heart, like a feather bed, needs often to be _stirred_,

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sometimes roughly, and given a variety of _turns_, else it [1]
grows hard and uncomfortable whereon to repose.

The lessons of this so-called life in matter are too vast
and varied to learn or to teach briefly; and especially
within the limits of a letter. Therefore I close here, [5]
with the apostle's injunction: "Finally, brethren, what-
soever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of
good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any [10]
praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye
have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in
me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

With love, Mother,
MARY BAKER G. EDDY

CHAPTER V. LETTERS.

[Page 129.]

To The Mother Church.

My Beloved Brethren:--If a member of the church
is inclined to be uncharitable, or to condemn his
brother without cause, let him put his finger to his lips,
and forgive others as he would _be_ forgiven. One's first [5]
lesson is to learn one's self; having done this, one will
naturally, through grace from God, forgive his brother and
love his enemies. To avenge an imaginary or an actual
wrong, is suicidal. The law of our God and the rule of
our church is to tell thy brother his fault and thereby help [10]
him. If this rule fails in effect, then take the next Scrip-
tural step: drop this member's name from the church, and
thereafter "let the dead bury their dead,"--let silence
prevail over his remains.

If a man is jealous, envious, or revengeful, he will seek [15]
occasion to balloon an atom of another man's indis-
cretion, inflate it, and send it into the atmosphere of mortal
mind--for other green eyes to gaze on: he will always
find somebody in his way, and try to push him aside;
will see somebody's faults to magnify under the lens that [20]
he never turns on himself.

What have been your Leader's precepts and example!
Were they to save the sinner, and to spare his exposure

[Page 130.]

so long as a hope remain