Chapter 61
TO THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION:-
It has been determined to create a Columbian Liberty Bell, to be placed by the lovers of liberty and peace in [5]
the most appropriate place in the coming World's Expo- sition at Chicago. After the close of the Exhibition this bell will pa.s.s from place to place throughout the world as a missionary of freedom, coming first to the capital of the nation under the care of our society. [10]
Then it will go to Bunker Hill or Liberty Island, to the battle-field of New Orleans (1812), to San Francisco, to the place where any great patriotic celebration is being held, until 1900, when it will be sent to the next World's Exhibition, which takes place at Paris, France. There it [15]
will continue until that Exhibition closes.
When not in use in other places, it will return to Wash- ington under the care of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Was.h.i.+ngton will be its home, and from there it will journey from place to place, fulfilling its mission [20]
throughout the world.
The following is the proposed use of the bell: It shall ring at sunrise and sunset; at nine o'clock in the morn- ing on the anniversaries of the days on which great events have occurred marking the world's progress toward liberty; [25]
at twelve o'clock on the birthdays of the "creators of liberty;" and at four o'clock it will toll on the anniver- saries of their death. (It will always ring at nine o'clock on October 11th, in recognition of the organization on that day of the Daughters of the American Revolution.) [30]
... The responsibility of its production, and the direc- tion of its use, have been placed in the hands of a
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committee of women representing each State and Ter- [1]
ritory, one representative from each Republic in the world, and a representative from the patriotic societies, -Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution, the Lyceum League of America, the Society of Ger- [5]
man Patriots, the Human Freedom League, and kindred organizations.
The National Board of Management has placed upon me the responsibility of representing the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution upon the [10]
General Committee, and this circular is sent to every member of the society, asking for her personal coopera- tion in making the undertaking successful. In creating the bell it is particularly desired that the largest number of persons possible shall have a part in it. For this reason [15]
small contributions from many persons are to be asked for, rather than large contributions from a few. They are to be of two kinds:-
_First:_ Material that can be made a part of the bell; articles of historic interest will be particularly appre- [20]
ciated-gold, silver, bronze, copper, and nickel can be fused.
_Second:_ Of money with which to pay
Each member of the society is asked to contribute one cent to be fused into the bell, and twenty-five cents to [25]
pay for it. She is also asked to collect two dollars from others, in pennies, if possible, and send with the amount the name of each contributor. In order that the bell shall be cast April 30th, the anniversary of the inaugu- ration of George Was.h.i.+ngton as the first President of [30]
the United States, we ask every one receiving this cir- cular _to act at once_.
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In forwarding material to be melted into the bell, please [1]
send fullest historical description. This will be entered carefully in a book which will accompany the bell wherever it goes.
... As the motto has not yet been decided upon, any [5]
ideas on that subject will be gratefully received; we will also welcome suggestions of events to be celebrated and names to be commemorated.
Very cordially yours, MARY DESHA, _ex-Vice-President General, D. A. R._
Contributions should be sent to the Liberty National Bank, corner Liberty and West Streets, New York, and a duplicate letter written, as a notification of the same, to Miss Mary Desha, 1505 Penna. Ave., Was.h.i.+ngton, [15]
D. C., or to Miss Minnie F. Mickley, Mickleys, Pa.
We would add, as being of interest, that Mrs. Eddy is a member of the above organization, having been made such by the special request of the late Mrs. Harrison, wife of the ex-President, who was at that time the Presi- [20]
dent thereof.-ED.
Angels
When angels visit us, we do not hear the rustle of wings, [1]
nor feel the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but we know their presence by the love they create in our [25]
hearts. Oh, may you feel _this_ touch,-it is not the clasping of hands, nor a loved person present; it is more than this: it is a spiritual idea that lights your path!
The Psalmist saith: "He shall give His angels charge
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over thee." G.o.d gives you His spiritual ideas, and in [1]
turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for to- morrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment. What a glorious inheritance [5]
is given to us through the understanding of omnipresent Love! More we cannot ask: more we do not want: more we cannot have. This sweet a.s.surance is the "Peace, be still" to all human fears, to suffering of every sort. [10]
Deification Of Personality
Notwithstanding the rapid sale already of two editions of "Christ and Christmas," and many orders on hand, I have thought best to stop its publication.
In this revolutionary religious period, the increasing [15]
inquiry of mankind as to Christianity and its unity- and above all, G.o.d's love opening the eyes of the blind-is fast fitting all minds for the proper reception of Christian Science healing.
But I must stand on this absolute basis of Christian [20]
Science; namely, Cast not pearls before the unprepared thought. Idolatry is an easily-besetting sin of all peoples.
The apostle saith, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols."
The ill.u.s.trations were not intended for a golden calf, [25]
at which the sick may look and be healed. Christian Scientists should beware of unseen snares, and adhere to the divine Principle and rules for demonstration.
They must guard against the deification of finite personality.
Every human thought must turn instinctively to [30]
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the divine Mind as its sole centre and intelligence. Until [1]
this be done, man will never be found harmonious and immortal.
Whosoever looks to me personally for his health or holiness, mistakes. He that by reason of human love or [5]
hatred or any other cause clings to my material per- sonality, greatly errs, stops his own progress, and loses the path to health, happiness, and heaven. The Scrip- tures and Christian Science reveal "the way," and per- sonal revelators will take their proper place in history, [10]
but will not be deified.
Advanced scientific students are ready for "Christ and Christmas;" but those are a minority of its readers, and even they know its practicality only by healing the sick on its divine Principle. In the words of the [15]
prophet, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our G.o.d is one Lord."
Friends, strangers, and Christian Scientists, I thank you, each and all, for your liberal patronage and scholarly, artistic, and scientific notices of my book. This little [20]
messenger has done its work, fulfilled its mission, retired with honor (and mayhap taught me more than it has others), only to reappear in due season. The knowledge that I have gleaned from its fruitage is, that intensely contemplating personality impedes spiritual growth; even [25]