The important function of the gates which were set into the walls of ancient cities led to the use of the words "gate" and "gates" as figures of speech in Bible literature. Citizens and friends might freely come and go through the guarded openings, but all gates could be firmly closed against an enemy. Just within the main gate was a broad space where the people gathered for the administration of justice, for the transaction of business, and for the discussion of news.
Small wonder that the word "gates" came to have a symbolic meaning connected with dominion, protection, rejoicing, and the kingdom of God. The Psalmist wrote (Ps. 100:4), "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name."
Today there is a gate which stands open to all. Mary Baker Eddy writes in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 535): "When will man pass through the open gate of Christian Science into the heaven of Soul, into the heritage of the first born among men? Truth is indeed 'the way.'"
The Church of Christ, Scientist, may be considered a glorious gate through which to enter the courts of spiritual consciousness. In deep gratitude many students of Christian Science join this church, knowing that in the Sunday church services and Wednesday testimony meetings they will learn more of God, Truth. They know that as members they are supporting these services and enlarging their individual sense of perfection while helping to fulfill the larger purpose of universal redemption.
As one faithfully studies the Bible Lesson, outlined in the Christian Science Quarterly, during the week and hears it read on Sunday, he is constantly impressed with the naturalness, the inevitability, of Christian Science and the truths presented. That God is All and is good, though a profound statement, is simple to believe. The next step is to concede that because God, the first and only cause, is Spirit and creates good alone, there can be no reality in anything except Spirit and its ideas. Matter, then, must be that which mortal sense alone conceives.
When one comprehends these facts, a living faith in Truth motivates thought and action, thereby bringing evidence of eternal good into one's human experience. The student is ready to depend on Christ, Truth, as demonstrated through Christ Jesus, for all his needs and for the healing of every ill.
However deep one's understanding of Truth, attendance at church services is vital to continued growth. By separating, in the hour of church attendance, one's true self from mortal thinking and material sensation, one experiences a purification; he is rested and strengthened.
At the Wednesday testimony meetings may be heard an inspiring message, prepared by the First Reader, from the Bible and from Science and Health. Then, during the time for testimonies, one hears joyous news of the enemy repulsed and defeated. To be sure, material sense is actually a mythical foe, but in its apparent and unpleasant forms it seems very real to mortals. Therefore, related instances of divine healing are of inestimable value to all who are endeavoring to learn that mankind may gain a disbelief in matter through an understanding that Spirit is the only reality.
When one enters the church gates to assume membership, it follows that he becomes a more vital witness to Truth. The desire to express gratitude and praise to God is the natural result of the spiritual enlightenment which led him to request membership in the Christian Science organization. On Wednesdays he goes to the meeting expecting to receive a blessing. He should also ask himself, "What blessing is it my privilege to impart?" Comfort, perhaps, to one who comes with heavy heart.
We read in Proverbs (12:25), "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop; but a good word maketh it glad." We have the good word: proof of the restorative power of God, Love, Soul. We can, perhaps, share an instance in which a dark day grew bright for us through the light shed by the understanding of the ever-presence of divine Love.
Again, it is possible that we can speak of an occasion when we experienced the protecting power of God, Principle, and thereby give courage and confidence to some who have not been able as yet to close the doors of their thinking to the mortal enemy, fear. Fear retreats at the word of Truth.
We may be able to share step by step a spiritual revelation that resulted in physical healing or that taught us a lesson of divine grace. When we give of our unfolding understanding, we are expressing gratitude in spiritual terms. Although this testimony may help the listeners, it is sure to bring added blessing to ourselves.
I should like to tell of one instance in which great good was directly derived from participation in a Wednesday meeting. In preparing my thought for the midweek meeting, I was led to consider what it means to be a witness for Truth.
While reading citations from the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings with the help of the Concordances, I found that "witness" is the meaning of the Greek word "martyr." Those who gave testimony to Truth at the cost of their lives were known as martyrs.
I contrasted the position of the early Christians with the happy position of Christian Scientists today. Not personal suffering but individual revelation of the power of the Christ in our human lives is our attestation of Truth. Instead of its bringing our lives to an end, our witnessing enriches and strengthens them.
Shortly after this study I had occasion to entertain at a reception. Just as I came forward to greet the audience my sight suddenly failed, and such great weakness swept over me that I expected to fall. Then something wonderful took place. The understanding I had recently gained of man as a witness to Truth came to me. I cannot say that I clearly recalled any one quotation or statement. Rather, there returned to me the same feeling of spiritual adequacy which had been my joyful experience on the evening I shared at church the inspiring facts I had learned concerning spiritual man's identification with Truth.
The involuntary panic left me. My sight cleared, and strength returned. This attack appeared to be far more severe than an ordinary sense of faintness, but the error was completely obliterated by the message from divine Love that came so swiftly to meet my need.
In an address at an Annual Meeting in 1899, recorded in her book "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany," Mrs. Eddy stated (p. 132): "Divine Love has strengthened the hand and encouraged the heart of every member of this large church. Oh, may these rich blessings continue and be increased! Divine Love hath opened the gate Beautiful to us, where we may see God and live, see good in good, —God all, one,—one Mind and that divine; where we may love our neighbor as ourselves, and bless our enemies."
