Your favorEditorial Note: This letter is not extant. concerning the revision of books was received today, and of course nothing more remains for me to say on that subject.
Permit me, however, to add to what I have already communicated this much, bearing on the matter of my taking the course of lessons you are to give in May:
Until I saw you, it had not seemed to me that any door of usefulness would open to me in the direction of Christian ScienceAs Written:science. I wrote my pamphletEditorial Note: "Bread Pills, a Study of Mind-Cure”, hoping to do good thereby, and impart needed information to those who had no knowledge of the subject, and was not able to digest the strong meat provided in your works. But beyond that service, I did not then look.
What you have mind would seem to imply that I possess exceptionally good qualifications for doing the work, and that there is an inspiration demand for the work that I could do, as soon as fitted. Such being the case, I should be glad to undertake it, for I believe the truth contained in Christian ScienceAs Written:science as you exposed it, is what the world needs to learn more than anythingAs Written:any thing else. So I would gladly devote myself to the work if it were possible. But is it?
Some time ago a combination of causes,, including my own prostration, threw me out of business, and since then I have not felt able to resume the work and responsibility of editorial rooms until now. My expenses are large and my need of means consequently exacting, so that I cannot live from now till the class of your course in May, unless I am able to earn money in some way. But if I devote myself in future to this new work, I cannot accept an editorial position in the meantimeAs Written:mean time, which is likely to be offered me elsewhere than in Boston. And If I took such a place, I must remain in it, and devote my time and energies to its duties.
I can do some writing for the Jour while I wait, but not enough to pay my expenses. Then, if I wait, and will join your May class, can you enable me to do anything for you that will eke out my slender pittance?
Col. Smith tells me he has no knowledge of publishing and editorial work - Is there any help I can under him for which a remuneration would naturally come?
Again. I have a notes for a small pamphlet, written to convince the uninitiated in Christian ScienceAs Written:science, of that most difficult truth to understand, namely, that the real cause of disease is not physical but mental, or as you would put it to a student, an error of mortal mind. Would such a pamphlet be of use enough to you and your students to be worth publishing, and could you afford to pay me for it?
If I can find a way to earn from one hundredEditorial Note: $100.00 in 1885 is the equivalent of $2,647.00 in 2019. to two hundred dollarsEditorial Note: $200.00 in 1885 is the equivalent of $5,294.00 in 2019. in addition to what I now see a chance for, I shall be able to wait, and teach the lessons and shall be glad to do so. Otherwise I do not now see how the cause will be possible.
I do met with this as an appeal to your kind nature, but simply to show you that, if I am unable to do as you desire, it is a hard pecuniary necessity, and not inclination, that compels me to forego the acceptance of your generous offer.
The pamphlet will be ready in a day or two.