I was glad to get your letter of the 17th InstEditorial Note: See L07892., and especially to learn that you had such a glorious time at the Ass- If I could have spared the money for travel and got away from my class I should have certainly been with you. I hope however to get some benefit from your address which I trust will grace the pages of the Journal. I think you must have misunderstood me in what I say about your teaching. It is this, that I cannot but accept your teaching as Truth because it commends itself to my spiritual apprension Corrected: apprehension as truth, and in addition to that, I can demonstrate it to be Truth by curing sin and sickness with it. I must first apprehend it by spiritual perception or I can never apply it. Whatever others may do, I cannot accept as Truth from any oneCorrected:anyone, that, which unless as Paul puts it, 'commends itself to every man's conscience in the sight of God"II Cor 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. If your teaching had not commended itself to me I should never have tested it, and when I found it stood the test, my perception of its truth was confirmed. I think with you, that Truth is God, An absolute unit; incapable of Division & he who tries to devide Corrected: divide it, or take any part from it, attempts to break the body and spill the blood of Christ. From such a criminal act I pray 'Our Father' to keep me.

I cannot imagine what induced the person you refer to, who told to tell you such a falsehood concerning me in relation to Mrs Hopkins, unless it was to prejudice you against me. It seems only a part of the effort which is being made here by those who call themselves Christian Scientists to crush me out, because I prefer an independent course of action.

You have certainly one companion in drinking the cup of slander and misrepresentation from those of whom you ought to expect better things. You could not imagine the determined effort which is being made to freeze me out, and force me into the enemies Corrected: enemies' ranks. They seem bent on having me among the enemies of Truth, and this is helped on by some of your students under the name of Christian Science. The fact is my Dear Teacher, that if I did not know CExpanded:Christian Science to be the Truth, the Action of some ScientistsEditorial Note: Christian Scientists here would have goaded me to desperation. Unless a great change comes over me (I can never identify myself with a Church organization or a Scientists Association any moreCorrected:anymore). I will be loyal to the Truth as you have taught it to me, but I must claim the privilege of propagating it in the way which to me seems most in harmony with the spirit of our Master, who rebuked the loving John for his intolerance of that man who was casting out Devils in the name of Christ, but he did not follow themMark 9:38 ¶And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. Mark 9:39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. Luke 9:49 ¶And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. Luke 9:50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us. . I have not yet spoken to Mrs Hopkins, but so many are asking for my opinion of her that the first Sunday of this month I did go to hear her speak, and I did remark to a friend or two, that what she said on the subject of C, S,Expanded:Christian Science I could not take exception to, but to some other things I did take strong exception to, and that was, what you refer to yourself, viz the absence of Christianity, or that spirituality which cannot fail to be recognized if there. I should never recommend her as a Teacher of C.Expanded:Christian Science,, much less say, that I regard her as your equivalent. I hold, that no one is capable of Teaching it as you are & I am hoping the time is not far distant when I can take another course with you, especially in Theology. To dayCorrected:Today I finish the instruction of two Preachers, Congregational and Lutheran. The Congl has felt constrained to resign his charge, and I have much confidence that he will prove a valuable accession to our ranks. If your hope of Preachers has not altogether expired, and you would like to test him as an assistant Pastor for a month, I think you could secure his services by writing to Revd W. A. Moore Downers Grove. Ill–Expanded:Illinois

I see from the Journal that you are renewing Certificates, and as my first year has expired, I wish to have mine renewed, and enclose [?] Unclear or illegible  the stamps required. If however you have any misgivings about my loyalty to the Truth of Christian Science; I can afford to wait without thinking the less of you, for I can easily infer from what you have been told "that Bro Adams is following in the wake of other Ministerial renegades," that there is such a possibility. Time however will show, and I can afford to wait.

One thing time is doing, and that is, proving to me, that an unseen hand has led me into this independent line of action for the purpose of rescuing from erroneous teaching the many sincere persons who have been beguiled by the messmerism Corrected: mesmerism of the Plunket, Hopkins & other schools of so calledCorrected:so-called C,Expanded:Christian Science. Through my Influence, a Dr Weeks who was taught by Mrs Hopkins & who himself has been a very successful teacher on their line, has been led to see his mistake, and put himself under my instruction, and subjecting a very large following in this City to my influence. If our own folks (as we call them) will only let me alone, to work as I am led by the spirit, and not dog me as they are now doing, I doubt not, that I may be able to break up the enemies Corrected: enemies' Camp, and bring hundreds of honest souls into the understanding of unadulterated C,Expanded:Christian Science. I shall always be open to any suggestion or counsel from you but I will not submit to the control of those whose actions are a glaring contradiction of my understanding of Christian Science.