IN Christian Science great emphasis is laid upon the office of the Holy Comforter, whose ministry was foretold by Christ Jesus as the necessary fulfilment of his own redemptive work. The 14th, 15th, and 16th chapters of John's Gospel are wonderfully rich in promises of the future unfoldment of the saving ministry of Truth inaugurated by the great Teacher and committed to his students, also, to quote himself, to them "which shall believe on me through their word." If, in connection with the chapters designated, the student of Christian Science will read our Leader's wonderfully illuminating statements on the baptism of the Holy Ghost, as given in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 204), he will find how the children of God are today guided "into all truth," even as the Master promised.
It is highly interesting, as well as instructive, to remember that, although the apostles received Jesus' personal instruction, and witnessed his marvelous demonstrations of the truth which he taught, they often failed to rise to the occasion and give him the support which he had every right to expect. They had seen him raise the widow's son at Nain, and awaken Jairus' daughter from the dream of death, and yet when they received word that their friend Lazarus had died, they seemed to accept this as the fate which awaited them all. Not so the Master, who had said, "I go, that I may awake him out of sleep." We also read that they failed to watch for the "one hour" when faithfulness was most needed, and, worst of all, they refused to believe in his victory over death and the grave, for which he had sought to prepare them, when he said at the last supper, "After I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee."
Soon after the disciples had become followers of Christ Jesus, he told them that when they were delivered up to the rulers, as offenders against the law, they need not be troubled as to what they should say, because in that very hour the right words should be given them; indeed he said, "For it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost." Later, he said to them (John xvi. 12), "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth." We find that the terms "Holy Ghost,"" "the Comforter," and "the Spirit of truth," are used interchangeably in these chapters to indicate to human consciousness the manifestation of God as divine Principle.
