Articles

In the writer's childhood home hung a plaque with two words engraved upon it in bold letters—GOD FIRST. How often through the years those words have served as a reminder of the demand which Christian Science makes upon its followers to attune thought constantly to the divine Mind, the source of all true harmony and beneficence, and to let spiritual sense be paramount in gauging and guiding human affairs! Often those words have also served as a rebuke when human will and a false sense of man as corporeal personality have led to unproductive and unprogressive circumstances.

Mankind have been educated to believe in the reality of both evil and good. They have used the power to think in a double way, giving some recognition to good and often a great deal of recognition to evil.

"Motivated Men Made America Great" is the title of a recent advertisement in a leading magazine. The advertisement then gives something of the life of one of America's great men who, it proclaims, accepted challenge and the firm belief that each individual must earn his right to freedom.

Mankind's curiosity has always led them to ask questions about the end of the world, even as they have asked questions about material beginnings. The subject of last things, the close of the history that began with physical creation, is called in theology eschatology.

One late afternoon a few summers ago the writer climbed down a narrow winding stair in the quiet little village of Bethany and found himself standing beside the tomb called by tradition the tomb of Lazarus. Here, standing in a cave lighted dimly by the candle held by his little boy guide, at the very place where Christ Jesus is said to have stood nearly 2,000 years ago, the writer recalled the powerful, assured words of our Master: "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

Every sincere student of Christian Science at some point in his journey Spiritward gives serious thought to class instruction. Mindful of the provision in the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy for class instruction through authorized teachers of Christian Science, the student recognizes this activity to be a right idea and therefore a normal step in progress.

"'Swinging London,'" writes a Christian Scientist who lives there, "is something about which most Londoners read more than they experience. But the King's Road, Chelsea, is as startling, colourful, and 'way out' as its reputation claims.

Valiant as had been Elijah's stand for unwavering loyalty to the true God on the slopes of Mount Carmel, and his equally forthright destruction of the leaders of paganism following that event, he was challenged by a further test. The anger of Jezebel became even more bitter against him, and he was forced to flee the country.

Those who have enjoyed the blessings and regeneration brought about through the application of Christian Science usually desire to express gratitude by rendering active service in the branch Church of Christ, Scientist, of which they are members. Sometimes, however, church members find that they have been persuaded by erroneous suggestions to believe that they must work out many adjustments and personal problems before they can feel free to take on certain church activities or additional responsibilities.

The sincere desire of every earnest student of Christian Science is to maintain steady spiritual progress each day, to turn increasingly away from materiality toward a greater consciousness of life as spiritual. A deeper understanding of God, Spirit, and of the real man's perfect relationship to Him is, of course, a basic objective.