WHAT HOLDS THE JOURNAL TOGETHER
I was utterly blown away by Barbara Cook Spencer's article in the October Journal, "What holds it all together" [p. 28]. What an intriguing and unique explication of the Holy Ghost. I must admit to being one of those individuals "less certain about the nature and function of the Holy Ghost." As a Christian Scientist for many years, I'd known theoretically that divine Science is the Holy Ghost, but Ms. Spencer's explicit breakdown of the points of law encompassed in this grand Science clarified so much for me. What a clear-sighted rationale she so beautifully displayed in her writing.
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, US
The October Journal is full of wonderfully thought-provoking ideas, from the useful conversation with Timothy MacDonald on the Christian Science practice [p. 20], to the lovely contributions by two younger readers, Alyssa Britton [p. 58] and Carolyn Emerson [p. 60]. The item that really bore me aloft was "What holds it all together" by Barbara Cook Spencer, who, with her usual perspicacity, presents us with such deep insights into the meaning of the Holy Ghost, divine Science, and its three specific aspects—position, direction, and velocity—working in our lives to maintain harmony. And isn't it interesting to see how this is borne out by several of the articles in The Protection Section, particularly "The river wild" [p. 44] by Jill Aaron and "Not by accident" [p. 45] by Peter Crabbe?
WOLLASTON, STOURBRIDGE WEST MIDLANDS, ENGLAND
MOST NEEDED IN OUR MOVEMENT
The [October issue's] articles on animal magnetism are most needed at this time in our movement. The theme of unity is common throughout, and the Journal shows how necessary and vital it is if our Christian Science movement is to go forward. The question on page 8 about Jesus' healing of hatred—I have wondered about this myself; and now I have the perfect answer, as given by three writers.
I also found an abundance of ideas to apply to immediate problems—more than in any other recent issue.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
will be considered submissions for publication unless you request otherwise, and are subject to editing for length and clarity. Opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those ofThe Christian Science Journal.
I had the privilege of hearing Barry Huff [p. 10] deliver a lecture at a Bible conference, and I was very impressed (also entertained by his comic illustrations). His writing is most scholarly; he speaks with authority.
DAVIS, CALIFORNIA, US
CHURCH LIKE THE TREE OF LIFE
Mary Trammell's article "Church that stands tall in the 21st century" [September, p. 62] is heartfelt and enlightening. The image of the tree of life standing alone in a desert symbolizes to me not that Church stands alone, but rather that the qualities of Church alone are all that will stand and endure. Science and Health's definition of Church as an institution that "affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding" offers a model for any successful institution: business, marriage, government, education. Perhaps as institutions function according to this church model, they'll endure—like the tree of life.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US
Letters to the Editor, C04–10
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