Editorials

In his first epistle to the Thessalonians Paul gives many exhortations towards the perfecting of the Christian faith. After admonishing the church to "ever follow that which is good," he tells them to "rejoice evermore;" or as the Greek text may be rendered, to "be always joyful.

Perhaps there is no term more frequently applied to Christ Jesus by Christian Scientists than that of Way-shower. They love to think of him as having walked all the way which each mortal must tread in order to reach the final goal of heaven.

There is a beautiful story of a holy man of the Middle Ages who so fully recognized his relation to his heavenly Father, and became so imbued with the sense of His immanence and power, that he declared it to be his chief aim as well as his constant obligation to practice the presence of God. Christian Scientists early learn that the demand upon them is insistent to live in the certainty of the ever-presence of divine Love to the degree which enables them to exemplify before the world the real man, the image and likeness of God.

All Christian Scientists acknowledge that Christian Science is the Science of Life,—that it is the Science whereby all humanity must learn to understand and practice perfect thinking, perfect speaking, perfect acting, perfect living,—the Science which will solve every problem, individual and collective, that may confront mortals through all time; that it is the Science which, obeyed and demonstrated, must bring the reign of righteousness on earth,— the kingdom of heaven, or God's government made manifest. It is the only way whereby each can bring his every activity into accord with the law of God, win the full benefit from its teachings, and save himself from the pitfalls which constantly beset mortals along their earthly pathway.

The most compassionate man who ever trod the earth was Jesus of Nazareth. Running like broad golden bands through his life of marvelous purity and benignity, was the virtue of compassion.

From a time far back in human history, it has been customary to characterize certain animals according to their dominant traits. The fox, for example, symbolizes wariness, and "sly as a fox" became an adage; the greyhound, known for its great speed, became the symbol for swiftness in movement; while the patient ox typifies strength; likewise, the lion, long regarded as the type and symbol of boldness and dominant courage, has been called the "king of beasts.

The Christian Scientist has great cause for gratitude because of the spiritual freedom that has come to him. We are living in an age in many ways the most enlightened in the world's history.

There can be no doubt that from a child Jesus understood something of what his mission in life was to be. That this constantly unfolded to him in fuller measure may be readily seen from the Biblical accounts of his life.

Sooner or later every student of Christian Science comes to know that true freedom inheres only in the activity of the one Mind. An evidence of that activity is seen in the irresistible urge which has constantly impelled mankind toward the realization of an ever larger sense of freedom, breaking the bonds of materiality and revealing man's native state of perfection.

To the consecrated student of Christian Science there is no subject which demands more earnest study, and more prayerful consideration as to its meaning and method of demonstration, than does the Christian Science treatment. As with all other important questions, there must be an understanding of its fundamental premise, and of the rules whereby such premise may be utilized and proved equal to the solution of each problem presented.