THERE is something about the words "new" and "renew" which awakens in the human heart a sense of hope, or expectation of happier, better things for mankind. We look forward to a new day or year, to new opportunities for service, or to a renewal of that already proved good. Politicians promise a new and improved order of things, and many times the electorate, hungering for betterment, for a government of justice and righteousness, hopefully gives them a vote of confidence. Truly does Pope say, "Hope springs eternal in the human breast;" and will not the very welkin soon be ringing with the expressed wish that friends and neighbors may have a happy New Year?
Now comes the Science of Christianity with a message of good for the human family which transcends mere hope and wishful thinking. It says to the sick, to the victims of sin, to those who seem to be tasting defeat and discouragement, There is newness of life for you; it is possible for you today to begin laying hold on this promise and demonstrating its truth.
Centuries ago the prophet Ezekiel called on the children of Israel to claim the newness and renewal of spiritual sense in these ringing words (Ezek. 18:31, 32): "Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye." What an invitation! The prophet did not merely express the hope that his hearers might taste newness of life; he bade them cast off their transgressions—the fears and limitations of ignorant material sense—and verily lay hold on a new, higher conception of being.
