Editorials

Christian Scientists are grateful, with much reason, for their churches. Many of them experienced on their first visit to one of these institutions a peace which they had not known before, and have seen it continue to unfold for them.

" Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind," said Paul to the Romans. In Genesis, thirty second chapter, the renewing and transforming of Jacob are described.

It would be a mistake to believe that the characteristics which are attributable to generic man could not also be rightly attributed to individual man. In other words, the qualities that are expressed by the sons of God collectively must of necessity be reflected by each individual son.

Inasmuch as the men who are in training at the military and naval camps in the United States have a great need for spiritual guidance, comfort, protection, and support, steps were taken some months ago to help meet this need through Christian Science Camp Welfare Workers. Although the United States Government makes provision for maintaining chaplains in the Army and Navy, it does not provide the funds or facilities needed for carrying on such activities as those in which our Camp Welfare Workers are engaged.

Patience in their attitude towards the slowness and disinclination of others to obey God, can hardly be said to have been a distinguishing characteristic of the heroes of the Old Testament. Moses, even after his appointment as leader of the Israelites, and his graduation from under the tyranny of Pharaoh, had yet many lessons in patience to learn; Elijah and Elisha were not consistent exponents of patience in their dealings with the people; David exhorted men to patience, but how frequently he lacked it, how much he needed divine help for its restoration! Joseph alone of great Hebrew luminaries seems to have shown patience in the face of all manner of persecution and injustice, not only in connection with his own problems, but in dealing with his enemies, thus giving evidence of that divine patience which foreshadowed the perfection to be manifested in the life of Christ Jesus.

At this season, many young people take up new studies in school and college. This year many others are seeking to master unfamiliar subjects and conditions in military service.

It is evident that when Jesus said ( Luke 2:49 ), "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" he meant that his prime necessity was to know and to do the will of his heavenly Father, divine Mind, and also that he did not refer to any material business or merely human occupation. This question of the Master's has, however, been used by some students of Christian Science as a basis for the claim that, whatever the nature of their business or occupation, it is, nevertheless, the "Father's business.

In the fifty-fifth chapter of Isaiah are found these words: ''For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

It is recorded in Mark's Gospel that as Jesus came up out of the water, having been baptized of John, "he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. " To each one as he is baptized of Spirit, as he apprehends the fullness of his stature as a child of God, there comes something of the experience which came to Jesus in that hour.

When Jesus was told upon one occasion that his mother and his brethren "stood without, desiring to speak, with him," it is recorded in Matthew's Gospel that he asked, "Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?" The record continues: "And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. " It is evident that the Master sought at this time to impress his hearers with a broader concept of family and relationship than that which is usually entertained.