Whenever one has been entertained for a few hours or longer by a friend, he seeks to impress upon the host his gratefulness for the hospitality and good cheer extended to him. In a greater measure do we constantly feel it a duty to express our appreciation of the exceedingly helpful publications of our Church, those welcome visitors which entertain us instead of being entertained by us. Next to that most wonderful and inspiring volume, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy (which has become our pocket companion in travel over the country, as also in home life), we must class The Christian Science Publishing Society's weekly, monthly, quarterly, and current publications in what attracts us principally,—their scope, power, and richness for good. They are certainly twice blessed; first to those who provide such illumined, authentic truths, and next to those who read and profit thereby. What a grand uplifting would there be if a copy could be placed in the home of every family thirsting after that unseen "water of life," which to many of us is flowing freely, even to the extent that our cup is running over.
At present our ideals are much higher than our achievements, but, like St. Paul, one may say, "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after;" and he follows after the grand, uplifting thoughts of our beloved Leader, and seeks to emulate her in patience, forbearance, meekness, humility, and self-sacrifice, as well as in forgiveness for grievous words and acts against such a Sweet, harmonious life. If we have not reached perfectness in all things, we are seeking to attain completeness in some, and to "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus," as did Paul. One becomes singularly happy in the quiet perusal of the sweet, pure, and inspiring pages of Mrs. Eddy's works. Each and every reading of them—and it matters not how often it be repeated—seems to bring out more fully than the preceding one the promise given at the start. Each day opens up new vistas of thought which elevate, ennoble, and inspire us to a fuller consciousness of the divine Love that fills all space and leaves nothing for which we would ask. As we realize man's divine heritage, that "in him [God] we live, and move, and have our being," we are not only thrilled but molded, mentally and physically, into refined graces which are especially noticeable to those who hold a worldly view, and who wonder at the marked change.
One cannot refrain from expressing pleasure at the mental profit gained by following in the unselfish work begun by Mrs. Eddy and, under her direction, carried on by her earlier faithful students, who had little human aid when working "against the world, the flesh, and the devil." That we are becoming better men and women from the perusal of Christian Science literature goes without saying, for it cannot but turn our thoughts heavenward, to follow in the footsteps of Christ Jesus, and of that faithful disciple, our Leader. And American people stand so much in need of more elevating literature in lie of the trashy, nauseating delineation of crime and of characters and phases of life dealing with the questionable side, as given in our large dailies and magazines, that it does one good to see the effect of Christian Science on the minds of many, who suddenly drop such reading after getting a glimpse of the truth in our publications. It is the same action of Truth that has caused so many men to drop their tobacco and liquor,—habits which had grown upon them so that they fairly trembled at times, when they acknowledged the yoke of bondage, and yet by some—to them mystic—process they forsook the evil, or it forsook them, and there was no longer even a lingering desire for it, but a supreme happiness without it. Of such we may well say, "Being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." To such an one have we frequently quoted another of Paul's sayings, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"
In numerous cities where we have labored in our chosen calling, we have been requested to leave behind us copies of the Journal, Sentinel, and the various pamphlets, and even to loan our text-book and "Miscellaneous Writings." In some cases, having forgotten to whom these books had been loaned, we have had to procure new copies, but it has been proven a mighty power that we carry many copies of the Society's publications for free distribution. Many of the people thus reached have sought further information at Wednesday evening meetings and at regular Sunday services, and some have visited practitioners for healing; but the more beautiful thought is that some of these people have come to Christian Science not on account of bodily ills, but because of a mental unrest, of a desire to "find rest" unto their souls. Men of to-day are not at all satisfied with a superficial view of business or civic matters, but probe deeper to acquire the truth. This is shown by the great movements in investigating wrong-doing and graft, in the trusts and in municipal, state, and national governments. In our travels we have also found the same thing in religious matters; men are looking for a more satisfactory exposition of Jesus' promises, and like him, are plunging "beneath the material surface of things" to find the spiritual cause.(See Science and Health, p. 313).
Some of these men are college professors, church pastors, learned students of the Bible, also men in all the busy marts of trade.—in the shop, in the professions, and commercial men of the road.—men who say they cannot obtain satisfaction from the religious teaching of their youth or that of the present day. To many of these our literature is indeed a light unto their path; and a flash of the truth, here and there, causes them to make further search, until the full radiance of that light which broke upon the shepherds of old leads them to the living Christ, who is "the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.'' We have been informed by some of these, verbally and by letter, that they have been helped in the line of improved manliness, and that they now "hope for that we see not," and "with patience wait for it." To all these expressions of thankfulness we may best quote the words of the Master, "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. . . . If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." Each of us has a duty to perform, and where one may have the gift of oratory, another may be equally strong in argument, and some in other forms of thought and action, yet each should accept such a place in the great army of workers as may best serve the grand Cause for which we unitedly watch, work, and pray.
No man can read the testimonies of those who have been uplifted mentally as well as healed in body, and follow it up with some of the inspired editorials and articles by students of our revered Leader,—all breathing faith, and hope, and love, and thanksgiving for their own betterment,— without being uplifted, inspired, and ennobled, and in most cases realizing a longing desire to know more of that truth which makes men free. Such an one, consequently, must rid himself of some of his high-headed vanity, and take his stand on the firm foundation of Truth, "that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God," and that he may come forth a more refined, sympathetic, discriminating creature, with gratitude in his thought and a will to help his fellow-beings. He will, while in his daily vocation, scatter courage, faith, and kindness, and those with whom he comes in contact will realize that the business world needs such men more than anything else.
There is not a moment in any life which can be lived to its highest and best if it is not lived in obedience to God and His commandments, and only in this obedience is it possible to attain to the dignity of true manhood and true womanhood. By so living our light will be seen as a reflection of the one Light, and will show the power of the Word which illumines our path.
