I am desirous of attending your metaphysical College, having been convinced of the truth & value of ChristianAs Written:Xtn. Science by the testimony of friends, & because my dear sister who had been an invalid for twelve years & whom I thought beyond human aid, has been almost entirely healed by Miss Tyter who is doing a most ChristlikeAs Written:Christ like work in Calais MaineAs Written:Me. (near here) & vicinity.

"By their fruits ye shall know them."Matt 7:15 ¶Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matt 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Matt 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Matt 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Matt 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Matt 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

I must premise that I am rector of St. James' Episcopal ChurchAs Written:Ch. in Old TownAs Written:Oldtown (near Bangor) MaineAs Written:Me. & am on a short visit to my home here.

Impelled by a desire to help the sick among the poor, & especially the pitiful invalids whom the doctors have abandoned to a lingering death, I have spent the leisure of the past year in the study of medicine & surgery, & obstetrics, anatomy etc, having the assistance of a physician, & some practice.

I have lately begun to feel that I was wasting my time on an art wh. was soon to become obsolete, & is woefullyAs Written:wofully imperfect & uncertain at best; & so I turn to you.

My difficulty is that I have at present no funds, for I have a wife & two childrenEditorial Note: Their children were Elizabeth M. Payne (b. Veazey) (1882-1967) and Bayard H. Veazey (1884-1908). (aged 4. & 2 years) & would probably have to resign my parish if I went to BostonEditorial Note: Boston, Massachusetts for a month or more.

But I could manage it, if I could be one of the limited number of clergy whom you receive free of charge– & would cheerfully repay you when able to do so. Of course I should take the subsequentAs Written:subseq. courses, in time, & pay full fees–

I have been reading the Xtn. Scien Journal & expect to receive a copy of "Science & Health"Editorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scripturesby Mary Baker Eddy in a day or two, to whichAs Written:wh. I shall devote the month of August.

Now please write me whether I can be thus received, & when, if so. September would be most convenient for me if a term were beginningAs Written:beginng then.

Are there any minds that cannot succeed in healing, or learning to heal, the sick?

And is there anything about the scienceEditorial Note: Christian Science whichAs Written:wh. would prevent me from officiating as an Episcopalian clergyman after embracing it.

I am not bigoted in favor of any religiousAs Written:rel. forms, but prefer liturgical worship, at present, & would not like to sever ties unless necessary in interest of Truth; of whichAs Written:wh. I am, I trust, an earnest seeker.

Hoping to receive an early & favorable reply from you I am