Bible Study from May 11th, 2019

“Sometime during the year 1898, Judge Septimus J. Hanna, who was then serving as First Reader of The Mother Church, and editor of the periodicals, was led to give special attention to the 53rd and 54th chapters of the book of Isaiah. It was revealed to him that the 54th chapter is as distinctly a prophecy of Mrs. Eddy as the 53rd is a prophesy of Jesus. As he pondered this unfolding, he decided to write an editorial embodying his views. When the editorial was set up in galley proof, the courtesy of showing it to Mrs. Eddy before publication brought it to her attention.

“The editorial struck a responsive chord in Mrs. Eddy’s thought, for it reminded her of a vision which had come to her twenty-one years before, when the first revolt had taken place in her Church leaving her with but one or two loyal students, and when she was without salary or funds. In that darkest hour, the people scorned her teachings, and even those whom she had raised from the dream of death shunned her in the street. Then came to her in vision that remarkable utterance, addressed to the “Daughter of Zion,” which said, “She shall sit under her own vine and fig tree, and the peoples shall hear her gladly.”

From, Destiny of the Mother Church by Bliss Knapp pages 192-193

“The Lord of hosts left unto them a very small remnant, that were kept pure from the common apostasy and kept safe and alive from the common calamity. . . .Christ’s is a little flock.” “It is good for a people that have been saved from utter ruin to look back. . .to see how much they owed to a few good men that stood in the gap. . .”(Isa. 1)

— from Matthew Henry Bible Commentary, 1875, by Matthew Henry

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Christian Scientists have a strong race to run, and foes in ambush; but bear in mind that, in the long race, honesty always defeats dishonesty. God hath indeed smiled on my church, — this daughter of Zion: she sitteth in high places; and to deride her is to incur the penalty of which the Hebrew bard spake after this manner: “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.”

— from Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy, page 126

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JERUSALEM. Mortal belief and knowledge obtained from the five corporeal senses; the pride of power and the power of pride; sensuality; envy; oppression; tyranny. Home, heaven.

NEW JERUSALEM. Divine Science; the spiritual facts and harmony of the universe; the kingdom of heaven, or reign of harmony.

ZION. Spiritual foundation and superstructure; inspiration; spiritual strength. Emptiness; unfaithfulness; desolation.

— from the Glossary of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, pages 488, 592, 599

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Picture to yourself “a city set upon a hill,” a celestial city above all clouds, in serene azure and unfathomable glory: having no temple therein, for God is the temple thereof; nor need of the sun, neither of the moon, for God doth lighten it.

— from “An Allegory”Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy, page 323:2-6

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“Mrs. Eddy and ‘The Church in The Wilderness’

“– Reply to S.J. Hanna [dated May ’98 and signed “Ever lovingly, Mother, Mary Baker Eddy”]

“… Yes, the prophecy was wonderful. Twenty-one years ago, when the first revolt took place in our church, I had a vision, and uttered it. We then had no funds, I no salary, and C.S. few followers. In this vision [see Six Days, p.113] I prophesied great prosperity, plenty of money, blessings numberless, and the utterance was to the Daughter of Zion; “She shalll sit under her own vine and fig tree, and all peoples shall hear her gladly.” … “In 1898 that dear verse in my hall here was suggested to my thought, that for fifty years had been forgotten. Oh, the goodness and loving-kindness of our God! Who can tell it? Oh, the long and still continued nail, and spear, and “My God, hast Thou forsaken me?” Oh, the Love that never faileth!” P.S.: Yes, I would publish in Jour. the prophecy you sent. …

“The “verse in my hall” was as follows: Daughter of Zion, awake from thy sadness; Awake! for thy foes shall oppress thee no more; Bright o’er the hills dawns the daystar of gladness; Arise! for the night of thy sorrow is o’er.

— from Lessons of the Seventh Day, (the “Brown Book”), by Mary Baker Eddy, pages 64 – 65

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O daughter of Zion, awake from thy sadness;
Awake, for thy foes shall oppress thee no more;
And bright o’er thy hills dawns the daystar of gladness;
Arise, for the night of thy sorrow is o’er.

O many thy foes, but the arm that subdued them
And scattered their legions was mightier far;
They fled like the chaff from the scourge that pursued them,
For vain were their steeds and their chariots of war

O daughter of Zion, the power that hath saved thee,
Extolled with the harp and the timbrel should be;
Then shout, for the foe is destroyed that enslaved thee;
Th’ oppressor is vanquished, and Zion is free.

— Hymn 200 from the Christian Science Hymnal

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At the end of April, the Eddys leased a brownstone on Columbus Avenue in Boston, providing a new home not just for themselves but also for the Massachusetts Metaphysical College. But the brightness of this spring was greatly darkened by Gilbert’s death on the third of June 8. This was especially hard for Mary, a very bitter blow. She went to Vermont to a student’s family home to regain her peace; only that student and one other accompanied her. She felt an urgent need for healing-and the healing came. Toward the end of July, she delivered an address at the Methodist church in Barton, on the subject that was ever in her heart and on her tongue: Christian healing. The minister called the next day, and they spent the morning talking about her lecture. On returning home, Mrs.Eddy wrote in her Bible, “Aug. 6th, 1882 … opened to Isaiah 54: 9 Among the many comforting verses in that chapter is “thou … shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.” By the end of October, she could tell a student, “The ship of Science is again walking the wave, rising above the billows, bidding defiance to the flood-gates of error, for God is at the helm.”

— from Mary Baker Eddy: Christian Healer Amplified Edition, by by Yvonne Cache von Fettweis, pages 127 – 128

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Isaiah 52: 2

Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.

Daughter: One who holds the faith of a certain place.

— from Smiths Bible Dictionary

Captive: one whose affections are seized, or who is held by strong ties of love.

— from Websters 1828 Dictionary

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The nations have not yet so submitted to the Prince of Peace, as to beat their swords into ploughshares, nor has war ceased. But very precious promises these are, relating to the gospel church, which will be more and more fulfilled, for He is faithful that has promised. There shall be a glorious church for God set up in the world, in the last days, in the days of the Messiah. Christ himself will build it upon a rock. The Gentiles worshipped their idol gods; but in the period spoken of, the people will cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and delight in doing his will. The word “halteth,” describes those who walk not according to the Divine word. The collecting the captives from Babylon was an earnest of healing, purifying, and prospering the church; and the reign of Christ shall continue till succeeded by the everlasting kingdom of heaven. Let us stir up each other to attend the ordinances of God, that we may learn his holy ways, and walk in them, receiving the law from his hands, which, being written in our hearts by his Spirit, may show our interest in the Redeemer’s righteousness.(Micah 4)

— from Matthew Henry Bible Commentary, 1875, by Matthew Henry