Editorials

There are those who, while deeply interested in Christian Science, seem quite shut out from its benefits by the conviction that the saving and effective apprehension of its truth is attained with great difficulty, and that only the intellectually and spiritually favored may hope to enter its inner courts. This wholly unauthorized, untrue, and unprogressive mental state may result from a very general temptation to lethargy, or it may grow out of the presumptuous denial of spiritual achievement, if the deepest spiritual problems are not immediately solved; or it may be superinduced by a discussion of error which does not mean its destruction, but rather its enthronement; an assertion of its presence and subtlety which intensifies the sense of its reality, and thus discourages the beginner and the uninformed.

IT is truly said that a stream can rise no higher than its source, and it is equally true that human character does not rise higher than the source from which humanity draws inspiration. If character has no surer foundation than uncertain, changing human opinions of right and wrong, it is like a house built upon the sand, whose destruction is certain under stress of storm and flood.

The lion crouched by the way of the Pilgrim in Christian Science is a false sense of sacrifice. Its roar is but a threat, and, like all error, it will cower and slink away under a brave eye, a determined purpose.

The reports received from the branch churches, showing that our Leader's "Words to the Wise" have been heeded, are very interesting, and if space permitted we would be glad to submit them in full. Many of these reports are brief, and breathe the spirit of the soldier answering roll-call.

The question is often asked, "What is Christian Science doing for the poor?" and the inquiry is pertinent. Census reports confirm observation respecting the startling fact that a very large majority of the common people are not in touch with any church, and when we remember that Jesus referred to the' preaching of his gospel to the poor as an evidence of its genuineness and authenticity, and that he made constant appeal to the commoner, we can but recognize the propriety of this query as a legitimate test of every religious movement.

STRIKES and their attendant disorders are largely engaging public attention, and it must be apparent that the relations of employer and employee need readjustment upon a satisfactory and permanent basis. In theory neither employer nor employee desires to wrong the other.

We are pleased to add the following churches to the list of those sending reports to the Annual Meeting. They were inadvertently omitted from our previous statement.

The Christian Scientist who is daily striving to free himself from the undue influence of personality prays with the Psalmist: "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. " In times past it was deemed clever to perceive and criticise aptly the frailties and peculiarities of men.

The following is taken from an editorial in the Chicago Inter-Ocean, called out by Joseph Dana Miller's interesting article, "The Growth of Christian Science," in the July issue of The Era:— "It is a notable fact that the adherents of Christian Science are, as a rule, from the well-to-do part of the community. Most members of its churches have had large advantages of education and have been fortunate in their worldly affairs.

In the domain of humanity, historic advance is variously chronicled, in the growth of empires, the succession of dynasties, the completion of conquests, the extension of trades, and the achievements of science and art; but in the kingdom of God among men, progress is marked solely by the unfoldment of Truth. To this all Christian ambition is directed, all right desire linked, all unselfish effort consecrated.