In a message to the Board of Trustees in May 1930, concerning metaphysical work for the school, Mary Kimball Morgan states, “The Principia, if it is anything, and it is, is a divine idea, born of God, established on Principle, reared in Truth, sustained by Love, and dedicated to God’s service.” She goes on to declare, “That which is called ‘Principia’ must be the perfect and complete expression of this divine idea of education….”
The Trustees maintain a deep appreciation for the importance of the metaphysical work that is foundational to the continuance and prosperity of Principia. We are individually and collectively dedicated “to prayerfully support and safeguard Principia each day in carrying out its purpose of service to the Cause of Christian Science” (Duties and Responsibilities of Trustees).
As a teacher of Christian Science, Mrs. Morgan attended the General Association of Teachers in 1903. She heard Mrs. Eddy’s message to that gathering which contained a definition of true education, “The entire purpose of true education is to make one not only know the truth but live it – to make one enjoy doing right, make one not work in the sunshine and run away in the storm, but work midst clouds of wrong, injustice, envy, hate; and wait on God, the strong deliverer, who will reward righteousness and punish iniquity” (Miscellany, p. 252).
Over the past 110 years, Principia has faced many challenges. The efforts of mortal mind to discredit and undermine the work of this institution have been legion. The opposition to the establishment of the school was strongest in its very earliest years. In the 1930s and 1940s the claims of lack of finances and lack of students were severe. The school survived the loss of its founder in 1948. The period of the ’60s and ’70s brought great numbers of students but also the unrest and discipline challenges that characterized the times. In the ’80s and ’90s the claims of contagion ran rampant until we regained a sense of dominion and gratitude for God’s ever-present care.
In alerting the Trustees to the nature of the protective work needed for the support of Principia, Mrs. Morgan warned, “When so-called mortal mind begins to see that it hasn’t frightened us with its old, familiar suggestions, it has to seek new ways of declaring itself, and it takes on new forms and works through new channels with which we are unfamiliar” (Education at The Principia, p. 132).
Recently, mortal mind has sown seeds of distrust that would pit us one against the other and would try to convince us that we are no longer unified in the work of Principia. Persons and personalities would claim to dominate our thought. The current steps that have been taken to restore trust and confidence are a necessary part of the healing process. Changes in structure and procedures are taking place and will continue until we settle into a new, progressive order that blesses students, staff, and faculty. This order will emerge naturally from our alignment with Mrs. Eddy’s promise, “Our watchwords are Truth and Love; and if we abide in these, they will abound in us, and we shall be one in heart, - one in motive, purpose, pursuit” (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 135).
We want to express our profound gratitude for the daily metaphysical work that members of the Principia community devote to our beloved institution and its continuing demonstration of the Christ-idea in education. We are united in heeding Mrs. Morgan’s earnest counsel, “Study as clearly as possible what it is that must always remain. The divine plan will unfold” (EAP, p. 110).