Editorials

As Christmas-tide approaches we are reminded of the tenacity of the human mind in clinging to the traditions and customs of the past. It is clear that mankind seldom if ever lets go of anything until ready to have it replaced by something better.

For years, the earnest attention of physicians, and students of sociology has been directed to the lamentable conditions growing out of the habitual use of morphine, cocaine, and other drugs of the same class, and to the alarming increase in their use. Regarding this increasing prevalence of the drug habit, Dr.

As the annual harvestings are completed and the material occasions for thanksgiving are being stored, every earnest Christian will be led to inquire, What of my spiritual gains? what of the treasures laid up this year in the chambers of character "unto life eternal"? Thoughtfulness here will lead all to see that while men have planned and anticipated that their business activities shall bring them an annual increase of wealth, and been much exercised if these legitimate expectations have not been realized, the great majority have been singularly content to have the years go by without bringing them any appreciable gain of spiritual understanding and power. A quieting solace has been found in the assurance of the attainment, at some indefinite time, of the fulness of the stature of Christ; and, in the atmosphere of this unexpectant hope, they have lived on, year after year, without any conscious spiritual growth.

It would be interesting to know how many there are who appreciate the fact that we are all helping to make history, and how many estimate in my degree their obligation to posterity. While it is true that we stand "In the foremost ranks of time," we should never forget that eternity stretches out before us with glorious possibilities for the unfoldment of man's divinely bestowed capacities.

The following extracts from an illustrated article entitled "Mrs. Eddy as She Really Is," occupying over two pages of the November issue of The Ladies' Home Journal, are indicative of its appreciative and friendly tone:— "Dwelling in the quiet seclusion of an estate on the outskirts of Concord, New Hampshire, is a woman whose name is known to thousands all over the civilized world, yet who devotes herself so constantly to the cause in which she is interested that even of the thousands who sympathize with her and revere her as a leader, only a comparatively limited number, besides those of her own household, ever see and know her in her home.

The importance of the healing work in Christian Science, the healing of both sickness and sin, is a subject upon which too much cannot be said, because this healing presents the certain proof of the validity of our pretensions as Christians, and conforms to a standard by which we must be adjudged true followers of Christ Jesus. During all ages of the Christian era the healing of the sick has been conceded to be a legitimate subject for prayer.

We are very glad of the opportunity to republish in this issue of the Journal a letter by Miss Mary Hatch Harrison of New Bern, N. C.

A Peculiarity of the human mind is seen in the tendency to defer to the future our response to a present call to duty,—an opportunity which may never come again, and which certainly will never come in quite the same way. An explanation of this shortcoming is found in the slowness with which we recognize the appeal of the Christ, past and present.

The practicability of Christianity is made manifest as we follow Jesus the mediator until we have found the redemptive Christ–idea, in every domain of human experience. The appearing of this idea means clearer vision, nobler self–command, keener power of discrimination between truth and error.

Even the casual reader of the testimonies of healing published from month to month in the Journal must be impressed with the truth of Mrs. Eddy's words, so familiar to all Christian Scientists, "Divine love always has met, and always will meet, every human need" (Science and Health, p.