Articles

A student of Christian Science was once asked by an earnest inquirer, a member of another religious denomination, "What are your sacraments?" Realizing that the question referred to the use of material rites, the student replied, "In Christian Science we do not use material symbols of worship. " When asked why these were omitted, he answered with a verse from the Christian Science Hymnal: And as we rise, the symbols disappear; The feast, though not the love, is past and gone; The bread and wine remove, but Thou art here, Nearer than ever, still my shield and sun.

When Jesus consented to the crucifixion, which was followed by the resurrection, he was demonstrating that death is not necessary to the achievement of immortality. His earthly career exemplified this, and the human need that it be brought more sharply into focus was met by his selfless obedience to divine direction.

St. John records the beauty of the resurrection in the twentieth chapter of his Gospel and indicates an outstanding lesson for Christendom.

As the second century of Christian Science begins, every student of this revelation may well consider what he is doing to further the Christian Science movement. One cannot receive the benefits of Christian Science like a sponge soaking up water.

The defeat of a Philistine army at Ebenezer (see I Sam. 7:10-13) seems to have held the Philistine forces in check for some time, thus upholding Samuel's position as leader of the Israelites.

Christian Science teaches that God is infinite and that man is made in His image and likeness, manifesting eternal life, without beginning or end. Although we accept this fact and know it is true, it is difficult to reconcile it with the picture that is presented to us constantly by the human experience, which seems to begin with birth and end with death.

Truth never changes. Whatever can be changed is never Truth.

Have you ever been walking in the mountains in summer, hot, weary, and thirsty, and suddenly come upon a clear, sparkling stream? How refreshing it is to take great drafts of the pure water and plunge one's face and arms into the invigorating coolness! Very likely the wise man who wrote the following proverb lived in a hot country where water was scarce. Because he knew the value of a well or stream fed by a constantly bubbling spring, the words, "Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it," Prov.

Mankind will eventually come to recognize that the precious quality in human character is the one which they still seem least inclined to utilize. Cherished like some valuable article locked away from general view, humility is often revered as something desirable but much too fragile to withstand the practical demands of daily use.

We are living in an age of great material research, and as a result of this, daily living has become easier. But research in the realm of the spiritual should keep pace with this tremendous urge to overcome human limitations.