You are always right, because faithful to ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science. I am reaping the results of my own unfaithfulness. I never dreamed of what AnaniasActs 5:1 But a certain man named
Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, Acts 5:2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Acts 5:4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. Acts 5:5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. Acts 5:6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. Acts 5:7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. Acts 5:8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Acts 5:9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Acts 5:10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. Acts 5:11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. is, and I tremble to think how I had become one. I believe I shall never cease wondering at the increasing grandure Corrected: grandeur and glory of Divine Science. Our prayer has been to our Father that He would search me, try mePs 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: Ps 139:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. , and let no injury come to our causeEditorial Note: The cause of Christian Science. through me; then go on and not do the very things I ought to have done, in order to answer my prayer. I had already taken steps to get a charter for Students C. S. A. and had I thought it possible would have joined the N. C. S. A. while in B–Editorial Note: Boston, Massachusetts

Now my teacher; I do not understand you to direct that I am to leave AEditorial Note: Silas J. Sawyer in this letter is probably using the letter “A” to refer to his wife, Jennie E. Sawyer., and this InstituteEditorial Note: Wisconsin Metaphysical Institute after the worlds Corrected: world's method of leaving, but hold on to this in ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science, and go to other cities and establish institutesEditorial Note: At this time Mary Baker Eddy had been asking a number of her students to establish Institutes for the purpose of teaching Christian Science in various cities.. I do understand though, that until A is willing to follow the directions of Divine Science; as indicated by you, our paths must lie apart as ScientistsEditorial Note: Christian Scientists, and A must come into the right even as all have to who recieve Corrected: receive the blessing, through suffering. which suffering is for disobedience.

Am I not to continue my effort to bring A to the point of view, that I trust I now occupy, That we are to see in your directions the Spirit of Truth, or the true idea?

I have felt that desire, for many months, to get away from hereEditorial Note: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and alone build up, a in some City the CauseEditorial Note: The cause of Christian Science.; but was held by the belief that A was a better healer, and it would also look like dieserting her. I see now that it was that very desire working in me, I ought to have listened to.

And now let me ask one very important question to me; Am I to hold myself responsible for A, in case she refuses to follow, and opposes my following your advice? Am I to tell her now; on her return, what that advice is, or continue the mental argument for a time? She is willing I should go to some place and teach; but to return to Milwaukee afterward. I desire to act wisely; and not injure the little good work begun here; and I apprehend it will be the better way to leave A here, pleasantly remaining– until I have commenced this work absently, then it will be esiree Corrected: easier remain away, allowing A to gradually realize the true source of her sufficiency is God, and not a person; even if it causes her suffering. Then I could come back to her, or she come to me.

I acknowledge these are the struggles of a husband's heart, devising some method by which he can hold to his wife; if it can be done in ScienceEditorial Note: Christian Science. I am but human and love my wife; yet believe I can love her best with that perfect Love; when I can rightly express it.

When I do forsake all; I only desire to know I am doing so for HisEditorial Note: God sake. I know you will advise me in Truth, and so I have given you my pledge.

Henceforth I will do right, and He shall lead me into faithful performance of the same-

Sincerely Yours

S. J. Sawyer.

⇉ Handshift:Mary Baker EddyQuesExpanded:Question Will you go into chief, populous towns and establish an Institute of your own? ⇉ Handshift:Silas J. SawyerYes!

⇉ Handshift:Mary Baker EddyQuesExpanded:Question Will you teach alone? ⇉ Handshift:Silas J. SawyerYes–

⇉ Handshift:Mary Baker Eddy"Will you [?] Unclear or illegible  join the National C. S. A. [?] Unclear or illegible  and take from it a charter for your AssoExpanded:Association? Please answer these questions and send this leaf with your answer– yes or no.

Loving to do you good I take the hours for sleep to write M B G E

⇉ Handshift:Silas J. SawyerMilwaukee WisExpanded:Wisconsin June 7th /86Expanded:1886

Dear Teacher-

I intended no evasion in my reply of the 1st instEditorial Note: See 237AP2.38.019..

I- reply Yes; to all your questions in this sheet, and may God lead me in the right until our last enemy is distroyedI Cor 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. .