If I addressed you by the name by which I once knew you, it would be Mrs.

Of course you will be surprised at receiving a letter from one who bore the name of Helen Sage when we were both As Written: booth patients at Dr. Quimby’s in PortlandEditorial Note: Portland, Maine, twenty two years ago.

I had lost all trace of you not having seen cousin Abby for a number of years. I had no opportunity As Written: opertuenity of hearing of you.

Until a few days ago, my sister was reading a bookEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. which someone had loaned her, from which she read me a few extracts. The bookEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. was upon Christian Science.

I made the remark that “that sounded like Dr. Quimby” And when she read of the instance of the writers healing Miss Elen Pilsbery of Tilton, Of course I knew at once who it was.

I knew that you believed in and had studied As Written: studdied with Dr Quimby But had forgotten As Written: forgotton about it until then. It may be, indeed I should think you had gone far ahead of your teacher.

This morning I have been reading a piece As Written: piese in the Boston Journal of last evening about this same method of healing. In which yourself and Dr Quimby are spoken of. And I thought if it were possible. I too would like to learn this mode of healingEditorial Note: Christian Science.

How glad I should be to be able to do so much good, as one may do who can relieve As Written: releeve pain and cure sickness, of which there is so much all about us. Even in my own family there is scarcely As Written: scarcly one healthy one. One brother has been an invalid for years. My mother is afflicted with heart trouble which may end her life at any time. A sister who is always sick. I have never recovered fully from the trouble which sent me to PortlandEditorial Note: Portland, Maine. But for you I should never have gone there.

My health is a great deal better though I am never strong. I have been married eight years. My name is Austin

Now my dear Mrs Eddy I am writing this letter to ask your advice which I trust for old acquaintance sake you will give me.

If only those who have superior intellect and education can understand or perform these cures. Why then of course I need not attempt, for if you remember me, you will know that I can lay claim to neither.

But if you think that I may please tell me how to begin.

I live in Haverhill which is thirty miles from Boston. We have a little home of our own. I do my own housework As Written: house-work .

If you ever come to H.Editorial Note: Haverhill, Massachusetts or would take the trouble to do see I should be very happy to have you visit me. I live at 18 Common St.

If in writing to you I have taken too much liberty, or in asking you to answer As Written: answere it, I am presuming too much upon your very valuable time, please pardon me and take no further notice of it.

But if you can spare a few moments to me, you will greatly oblige

An old friend