Your letterEditorial Note: This letter is not extant. received tonight surprised me somewhat. I think you must have forgotten a conversation I had with you on the Monday afternoon subsequent to your address at Joseph Cook’s lecture in Tremont TempleEditorial Note: Congregational minister Reverend Joseph Cook gave “Monday Lectures” at Tremont Temple in Boston, Massachusetts, in which he attempted to refute skeptical attacks on Christianity, as well religious teachings he thought were heretical. On March 16, 1885, Mary Baker Eddy was given ten minutes at one of his lectures to respond to Cook’s criticism of Christian Science. Eddy had previously issued a published response to this criticism in the form of a pamphlet and Journal article titled Defence of Christian Science.. If you have forgotten it, which would not be strange in your crowded, busy life. you perhaps wondered at my assurance in preferring the slightest claim to be received as a charity pupil, May I recall the conversation? We talked of the events at the Temple, of Mr Cook’s manner & lack of Christian courtesy, and the real sympathy there might have been found between you, had you talked together alone. I said, “I do want very much to study with you, Mrs Eddy, but it is impossible”; you asked me why and I answered that I had been trying ever since I talked with you a year ago, to save anything towards it, or to raise the $200Editorial Note: $200.00 in 1885 is the equivalent of $5,306.10 in 2019. you then said you would take me for; but it was impossible my pay just supported me. You said "You shall study in my next class". You took my address and repeated the promise emphatically. I had such unbounded faith in you and faith in answer to prayer that I went to my sister (the only one of my family who has any faith in the subject) and was extravagant in my delight and my administration of your generosity. I had learned of you taking charity pupils and in my simplicity thought God was very good to let me have such a blessing, if I was presumptuous As Written: presumtious please let this be my indication. I understood you that as I could not make it possible to study with you, you would make it so. I am disappointed greatly. But it is all for the best some way. God will give me the Truth. I think if I seek it earnestly and unselfishly. I read your booksEditorial Note: Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy and the paper and gain much light

Pardon this long trespass upon your attention.