Accession: 237AP2.38.014
Editorial Title: Silas J. Sawyer to Mary Baker Eddy, February 5, 1886
Author: Silas J. Sawyer 
Recipient: Mary Baker Eddy 
Annotator: Calvin A. Frye 
Date: February 5, 1886
Manuscript Description: Handwritten by Silas J. Sawyer on lined printed stationery of Park Palace Hotel, from Marion, Iowa.
Archival Note: This letter includes a shorthand notation in the handwriting of Calvin A. Frye.
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237AP2.38.014
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Reproduced from the archive of The Mary Baker Eddy Library
Handshift:Calvin A. Frye[*]Archival Note: There is what appears to be shorthand written here.

I send you a paperEditorial Note: This paper is not extant. from this placeEditorial Note: Marion, Iowa, which will inform you that we are still sowing a little seedMatt 13:1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. Matt 13:2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. Matt 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; Matt 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Matt 13:5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: Matt 13:6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Matt 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: Matt 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Matt 13:9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matt 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? Matt 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. Matt 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Matt 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. Matt 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: Matt 13:15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Matt 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. Matt 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear and have not heard them. Matt 13:18 ¶Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. Matt 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. Matt 13:20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Matt 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. Matt 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. Matt 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Mark 4:1 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. Mark 4:2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Mark 4:3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: Mark 4:4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. Mark 4:5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: Mark 4:6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. Mark 4:7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. Mark 4:8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. Mark 4:9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Mark 4:10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. Mark 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: Mark 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. Mark 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? Mark 4:14 ¶The sower soweth the word. Mark 4:15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. Mark 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; Mark 4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. Mark 4:18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. Mark 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. Luke 8:4 ¶And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: Luke 8:5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. Luke 8:6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. Luke 8:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. Luke 8:8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Luke 8:9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? Luke 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Luke 8:12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. . We shall go from here to Cedar RapidsEditorial Note: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and speak there, laying the foundation for future work. There is nothing I delight in so much as telling the people of this ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science, and if I did not have to limit myself on account of finances, I could do vastly more.

You must know, I hire my Hall and give free lectures. Although I can get up a class and teach I dislike it, for only one reason; I want to move on, and spread the news of this true gospel, before the "Mind-Curers," and other imitators get in their false methods. You may be sure of one thing, those to whom we speak, are told the vast difference between true Metaphysics and those imitations. Through our influence here, Mrs Clark of DetroitEditorial Note: Detroit, Michigan has made a glorious demonstration upon a case of Cancer. at her home.

We have a student here, Mrs Earle, who has done, and is doing good work. and through her efforts, we are getting a firm hold for ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science upon that corporation, the Chicago, Milwaukee and St Paul RailwayAs Written:R'y CompanyAs Written:Co. The wife of its general superintendent. has taken instructions of us, and others are interested. Give this ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science to the people of the Country, and the "Chicago Mind-Curer" will lose As Written: loose its source of supply, and eventually purify even that city.

When this vast sea of mortal mind rises before me, Oh how I feel my insufficiency I cry for more light, more spirituality. I am perplexed about some things in relation to myself; things which I tell to no one but our FatherEditorial Note: God. Nor would I mention them to you, only that I feel you understand me, and a word from you gives me light & aid.

I am perplexed by frequent returns of seeming beliefs of types of liver complaint, which was my old enemy. it now manifests itself more in the form of catarrh in the head, or a deafness, or roaring, also headaches. Etc.

Now what I ask your attention to, and explanationAs Written:explaination of is, my diagnosis of the cause. I do not receive it as a return of disease, but my constant attacks upon the mind mortal in teaching lecturing Etc, lays me open to more blows in return; also my own lack of spirituality; so many years of materiality, bondage to beliefs, are so rooted in me, that they the malicious mortal minds find some avenue through which to strike. I have taken all these infirmities as evidence that I was growing, and working right. Sometimes however when this roaring continues so many days, I am tempted to question my diagnosis, hence my appeal to you, for a confirmation or correction of my dilemmaAs Written:dilemna.

Mrs Sawyer is not with me, but will come, if I remain to form a class. She is a Staunch scientistEditorial Note: Christian Scientist, and is of great assistance in our work.

If you reply to this within ten days from date, address me hereEditorial Note: Marion, Iowa. otherwise at MilwaukeeEditorial Note: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

For HisEditorial Note: Jesus Christ sake yours faithfully
S. J Sawyer
237AP2.38.014
-
Reproduced from the archive of The Mary Baker Eddy Library
Handshift:Calvin A. Frye[*]Archival Note: There is what appears to be shorthand written here.

I send you a paperEditorial Note: This paper is not extant. from this placeEditorial Note: Marion, Iowa, which will inform you that we are still sowing a little seedMatt 13:1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. Matt 13:2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. Matt 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; Matt 13:4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Matt 13:5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: Matt 13:6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Matt 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: Matt 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Matt 13:9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matt 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? Matt 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. Matt 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Matt 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. Matt 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: Matt 13:15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Matt 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. Matt 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear and have not heard them. Matt 13:18 ¶Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. Matt 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. Matt 13:20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Matt 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. Matt 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. Matt 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Mark 4:1 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. Mark 4:2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Mark 4:3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: Mark 4:4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. Mark 4:5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: Mark 4:6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. Mark 4:7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. Mark 4:8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. Mark 4:9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Mark 4:10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. Mark 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: Mark 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. Mark 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? Mark 4:14 ¶The sower soweth the word. Mark 4:15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. Mark 4:16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; Mark 4:17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. Mark 4:18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. Mark 4:20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. Luke 8:4 ¶And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: Luke 8:5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. Luke 8:6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. Luke 8:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. Luke 8:8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Luke 8:9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? Luke 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Luke 8:12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. . We shall go from here to Cedar RapidsEditorial Note: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and speak there, laying the foundation for future work. There is nothing I delight in so much as telling the people of this ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science, and if I did not have to limit myself on account of finances, I could do vastly more.

You must know, I hire my Hall and give free lectures. Although I can get up a class and teach I dislike it, for only one reason; I want to move on, and spread the news of this true gospel, before the "Mind-Curers," and other imitat [?] Unclear or illegible ors get in their false methods. You may be sure of one thing, those to whom we speak, are told the vast difference between true Metaphysics and those imitations. Through our influence here, Mrs Clark of DetroitEditorial Note: Detroit, Michigan has made a glorious demonstration upon a case of Cancer. at her home.

We have a student here, Mrs Earle, who has done, and is doing good work. and through her efforts, we are getting a firm hold for ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science upon that corporation, the Chicago, Milwaukee and St Paul R'yExpanded:Railway Co.Expanded:Company The wife of its general superintendent. has taken instructions of us, and others are interested. Give this ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science to the people of the Country, and the "Chicago Mind-Curer" will loose Corrected: lose its source of supply, and eventually purify even that city.

When this vast sea of mortal mind rises before me, Oh how I feel my insufficiency I cry for more light, more spirituality. I am perplexed about some things in relation to myself; things which I tell to no one but our FatherEditorial Note: God. Nor would I mention them to you, only that I feel you understand me, and a word from you gives me light & aid.

I am perplexed by frequent returns of seeming beliefs of types of liver complaint, which was my old enemy. it now manifests itself more in the form of catarrh in the head, or a deafness, or roaring, also headaches. Etc.

Now what I ask your attention to, and explainationCorrected:explanation of is, my diagnosis of the cause. I do not receive it as a return of disease, but my constant attacks upon the mind mortal in teaching lecturing Etc, lays me open to more blows in return; also my own lack of spirituality; so many years of materiality, bondage into beliefs, are so rooted in me, that they the malicious mortal minds find some avenue through which to strike. I have taken all these infirmities as evidence that I was growing, and working right. Sometimes however when this roaring continues so many days, I am tempted to question my diagnosis, hence my appeal to you, for a confirmation or correction of my dilemnaCorrected:dilemma.

Mrs Sawyer is not with me, but will come, if I remain to form a class. She is a Staunch scientistEditorial Note: Christian Scientist, and is of great assistance in our work.

If you reply to this within ten days from date, address me hereEditorial Note: Marion, Iowa. otherwise at MilwaukeeEditorial Note: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

For HisEditorial Note: Jesus Christ sake yours faithfully
S. J Sawyer
 
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There is what appears to be shorthand written here. This paper is not extant. Cedar Rapids, Iowa Christian Science Detroit, Michigan Christian Science Christian Science Christian Scientist Milwaukee, Wisconsin Marion, Iowa God Marion, Iowa Jesus Christ