I think I'll write and send to you my thoughts just as they are now welling up from the depths.

I do not think there is one other man in all the world so thoroughly prepared to take up this work of the Chrn. Ch. (Scientist),tho there are plenty more gifted. I deem its metaphysical foun [?] Unclear or illegible dation that all reality is spirit, of supreme importance. I have stood on it distinctly and exclusively all my intellectual life with perfect assurance and with satisfactory reasons therefor. I have also with equal emphasis deemed this foundation the only one on which the Gospel Ch.Expanded:Church can rationally stand and vindicate itself absolutely before the universal critical intelligence. I have during all this time believed that the day would come when the advancing philosophy would bring the Ch.Expanded:Church on to Corrected: onto this foundation and then secure its universal triumph. All atheisms, all forms of irreligion and superstition and skepticism, have their root in matter. I now begin to feel like the expectant Simeon that I shall not see the end of my earthly life till I have seen the Consolation of Israel,— if I do not already see it.Luke 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. Luke 2:26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Luke 2:27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Luke 2:28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Luke 2:29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: Luke 2:30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Luke 2:31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; Luke 2:32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

I have also been constant in the belief all these years that it is only the lack of faith, of a str living and strong spiritual intuition, which has prevented the Ch. from enjoying all the endowments of apostolic era, that the Scriptures themselves never intimate their termination but their increase. I have never had any of this power (to speak of) and have always criticised Corrected: criticized very closely those who claimed to have it, because I counted myself to be commissioned to promote the philosophy, the reasoned evidence and ground thereof, to establish it as the true Philosophical Realism.

I have learned from you you, and am learning, and shall learn, what I never saw before, the rational connection between the doctrine that all is [?] Unclear or illegible  Mind and the power to do the "wonderful works" of the apostolic times. Here is your gr [?] Unclear or illegible  eat and precious work, and it consists in the very subtle and original way exposition which you [?] Unclear or illegible give of Mind in relation to the illusions of mortal thought and all the phenomena of sense as temporal [?] Unclear or illegible  as absolutely subject to the spiritual and eternal. Here is especially, as I conceive it, the arena of spiritual and religious life and power and joy. To urge and expound this and make it a real and practical and universal attainment, and thus change earth to heaven in the end, is the incomparably great and glorious mission of the Ch. which you are founding. This is the crown of the metaphysics by which it is underlaid and undergirded. It is the sublimest conception and spiritual movement the world has ever known or imagined. dreamed of Here I am your humble and most earnest disciple. I can conceive nothing happier or nobler than to work at such a task and promote in any degree the establishment and progress of such an enterprise.

You will hence see that, tho I am not very ready and fulsome in my professions and concessions, I am not a man whose steady fidelity to the Chrn. Ch. (Scientist), when once formally and solemnly pledged within the wide-opened door, can ever falter. My consecration will be irrevocable. I can never go back. I am forced up to my present position by all the power of all my past life, yea of by all the power of eternal life.

I feel, too, that nothing but the most profound and sacred devotion, the most undivided faith and fealty, can succeed in a work so great and holy.

To me it were a small thing simply to be called pastor and be treated with Churchly love and respect and draw a respectable salary for keeping the congregation together by singing to them "a lovely song." I look upon that pastorate as an opportunity and responsibility for the promotion of the world's highest good such as no noAs Written:no obscure preacher has ever enjoyed. The responsibility would be overwhelming if the encouragement and the prospective joy and success were not so inspiring.

I fear nothing but a selfish worldly spirit in the Ch., which falls away from Christ and substitutes mesmerism and the magnetism of personal sense for the healing and all=cleansing virtue of eternal [?] Unclear or illegible  Mind. This would ruin all. This is our one only danger; and this is very imminent. Oh how much we need to "watch and pray"Matt 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Mark 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. against it. In my opinion you do not feel any too much on this subject, nor lay too great a stress upon it, tho it is made the subject of ridicul Corrected: ridicule by your less comprehending and spiritual disciples. Oh! that those who are called may be found worthy to be chosen.

Thus have I poured out my heart before you— simply because I am what I am; and I want to be understood as I also want to thoroughly understand you- And if there is any error in this letter I am sure you will kindly point it out. I have no fear of you. You can understand me and you can speak to me in perfect candor and love, as you always have done.