During the Christmas holiday season many may look forward with some misgiving to accepting invitations to parties and other gatherings.
At this season a Christian Scientist was invited to a party by the firm with which he was employed. Here he would meet men from different parts of the country who would be in the city to attend the party. Heretofore he had had occasion to contact these individuals from out of town by letter or telephone, and he was looking forward to the opportunity the party afforded him to meet them in person. Liquor was to be served at this particular party, but although the Scientist knew this, he knew also that this was not to be the main purpose of the party. He was somewhat disturbed, however, at the possibility of in-harmony when he refused the offers of liquor, even though the inharmony might be of a slight nature.
Just before the party the Scientist had the opportunity to go to a nearby Christian Science Reading Room for a while, where the angel messages that come in the peace of such surroundings quieted his thought completely. He then went to the party, taking with him a sense of peace and dominion gained in the period of study and prayer in the Reading Room. During the party he was offered liquor several times, and each time he graciously refused, being pleasantly surprised and grateful to hear hearty and sincere commendation for his doing so.
