Accession: 033F.13.001
Editorial Title: Camilla A. Hanna to Mary Baker Eddy, July 13, 1886
Author: Camilla A. Hanna 
Recipient: Mary Baker Eddy 
Date: July 13, 1886
Manuscript Description: Handwritten by Camilla A. Hanna on lined paper from Leadville, Colorado.
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033F.13.001
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Reproduced from the archive of The Mary Baker Eddy Library

In the last few months I have become so much interested in Christian Science that now my greatest desire is to go to Boston & become one of your pupils, I have heard that you recently made a rule or statement, that you would As Written: wuld not take anyone who had been previously taught by anyone else. I know that you are at liberty to make exceptions to that rule, & that you have done so, in the case of Mrs Jane M. Rand of Littleton New HampshireAs Written:N. H. I receivedAs Written:rec'd a letter from her today, telling me that you had consented to take her into your class, & urging me to write & ask if you would not make an exception in my case also. I have never seen her, but we have been in constant correspondence for months. Now let me state my case in as few words as I can. Christian ScienceAs Written:C. S. was brought under As Written: undr my notice in this way. Mrs Fenn of OmahaEditorial Note: Omaha, Nebraska cured three of my intimate friends of Council Bluffs Iowa (my old home). My father sent me a New Year's As Written: Yea's present of your Science & HealthEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, It was like revelation As Written: revalation to me. The truth sunk right down into my heart & took root there. I had been sick. I got well. I talked it, read it, dreamed it. & then wanted someone As Written: some one to teach me how to demonstrate it, so I could for others what it had done for me. A friend of mine came up from DenverEditorial Note: Denver, Colorado, & told me that there was a lady from Boston there who was teaching it. I wrote to her asking her to take me for a pupil. She replied that she would, Then for the first time I found there were different schools, & different teachers. I had not dreamed that there was anything except your system of Healing taught. & that was what I wanted to learn. I did not know the danger there was of falling into error. This lady said she had been healed by an Arens student As Written: studen , then took As Written: tok a course of lectures from the one that healed her. That she also had taken a course of lectures from an Eddy student. & could & would teach me both systems & I could use whichever I preferredAs Written:prefered. Had I known what I do now I never should have taken her lectures. I did however. She really was trying to find the truth I think, & got started wrong, She did what she could for me, which was nothing. I came back none the wiser. Then commenced a systematic study of Science & Health, in a short time I was able to help others. For four months I have been devoting half my time to healing & trying to spread this blessed Truth to all of my friends As Written: frinds . I do not think I was led into error. I bought the Evans books. Have not read three chapters in all of them put together. I rejected everything As Written: everthing else, took S & HEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, & studied it, learned all I know from that & have been successful. If with no teaching I can do so much, I think what I might be able to do if you will allow me to come to you. I am anxious to help others, but more than anything As Written: any thing else, I want that peace of mind I know will be mine, when I get a clear understanding of this Truth. I do not know when I could come to you, if you will let me, It is a long tedious expensive journey As Written:jourey from here to Boston. But I want the assurance that I can go to you, so that I can make my plans accordingly. Please take my case into careful consideration, I assure you I am an honest seeker after the truth, & I want you to give it to me, & not get it from anyone else, Dr Sherman came out to Denver & taught a class after I came back. I should have gone down & taken from him, but I could not. Nothing will satisfy me now but a course of study under your teaching, & my heart sinks within me when I think perhaps your reply may not be favorableAs Written:favorbl. I shall await your answer with considerable anxiety, & hope to hear soon as convenient.

Yours-
Mrs S. J. Hanna
Leadville
Box 273. ColoradoAs Written:Colo
033F.13.001
-
Reproduced from the archive of The Mary Baker Eddy Library

In the last few months I have become so much interested in Christian Science that now my greatest desire is to go to Boston & become one of your pupils, I have heard that you recently made a rule or statement, that you wuld Corrected: would not take anyone who had been previously taught by anyone else. I know that you are at liberty to make exceptions to that rule, & that you have done so, in the case of Mrs Jane M. Rand of Littleton N. H.Expanded:New Hampshire I rec'dExpanded:received a letter from her today, telling me that you had consented to take her into your class, & urging me to write & ask if you would not make an exception in my case also. I ohave never seen her, but we have been in constant correspondence for months. Now let me state my case in as few words as I can. C. S.Expanded:Christian Science was brought undr Corrected: under my notice in this way. Mrs Fenn of OmahaEditorial Note: Omaha, Nebraska cured three of my intimate friends of Council Bluffs Iowa (my old home). My father sent me a New Yea's Corrected: Year's present of your Science & HealthEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, It was like revalation Corrected: revelation to me. The truth sunk right down into my heart & took root there. I had been sick. I got well. I talked it, read it, dreamed it. & then wanted some one Corrected: someone to teach me how to demonstrate it, so I could for others what it had done for me. A friend of mine came up from DenverEditorial Note: Denver, Colorado, & told me that there was a lady from Boston there who was teaching it. I wrote to her asking her to take me for a pupil. She replied that she would, Then for the first time I found there were different schools, & different teachers. I had not dreamed that there was anything except your system of Healing taught. & that was what I wanted to learn. I did not know the danger there was of falling into error. This lady said she had been healed by an Arens studen Corrected: student , then tok Corrected: took a course of lectures from the one that healed her. That she also had taken a course of lectures from an Eddy student. & could & would teach me both systems & I could use whichever I preferedCorrected:preferred. Had I known what I do now I never should have taken her lectures. I did however. She really was trying to find the truth I think, & got started wrong, She did what she could for me, which was nothing. I came back none the wiser. Then commenced a systematic study of Science & Health, in a short time I was able to help others. For four months I have been devoting half my time to healing & trying to spread this blessed Truth to all of my frinds Corrected: friends . I do not think I was led into error. I bought the Evans books. Have not read three chapters in all of them put together. I rejected everthing Corrected: everything else, took S & HEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, & studied it, learned all I know from that & have been successful. If with no teaching I can do so much, I think what I might be able to do if you will allow me to come to you. I am anxious to help others, but more than any thing Corrected: anything else, I want that peace of mind I know will be mine, when I get a clear understanding of this Truth. I do not know when I could come to you, if you will let me, It is a long tedious expensive joureyCorrected: journey from here to Boston. But I want the assurance that I can go to you, so that I can make my plans accordingly. Please take my case into careful consideration, I assure you I am an honest seeker after the truth, & I want you to give it to me, & not get it from anyone else, Dr Sherman came out to Denver & taught a class after I came back. I should have gone down & taken from him, but I could not. Nothing will satisfy me now but a course of study under your teaching, & my heart sinks within me when I think perhaps your reply may not be favorblCorrected:favorable. I shall await your answer with considerable anxiety, & hope to hear soon as convenient.

Yours-
Mrs S. J. Hanna
Leadville
Box 273. ColoExpanded:Colorado
 
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