Page:The Life of Mary Baker Eddy (Wilbur).djvu/336

292 required the sinking of a good deal of capital to get it on its legs, and it was a great drain on the attention of the founder. But it was seen at once that it had a sufficient raison d'être. It conveyed rare touches of sympathy for lives shut in, lives that were desolate, lives that had seemed to spell failure. It was not sent to the mighty or the learned, nor was it designed for such, but for the needy. It contained articles on how to keep well, on prayer as a spiritual aspiration, on sunshine in the home, on the folly of having nerves, the fallacy of that tired feeling, the abuse of will power. Its pages sparkled with witty sayings culled from great authors, and nuggets of gold from philosophic minings. It showed in every column the earnest, diligent work of its editor.

Some of the articles from Mrs. Eddy’s pen in these early numbers have been reprinted in her book “Miscellaneous Writings,” which have served as the stepping-stone to many of her followers in a comprehension of the text-book, “Science and Health.” There is no doubt that her personality is revealed in them in more vivid colors than elsewhere. From time to time in the Journal appeared a poem from her hand, and from these devout versifications were chosen some which have become the best beloved hymns of the church.

Mrs. Eddy did not write the entire contents of the Journal, far from it; there were numerous excellent articles by her students and co-workers. But her impress is strongly visible, and in glancing through its pages one can almost see her at work at her desk, so direct and vital is the editorial contact. It is