Articles

Newly elected Readers in The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, and in its branches throughout the world, as well as Readers who have had considerable experience, may recall as they prepare their work and go to the platform that they are representing an experienced and duly ordained pastor who will, through their spiritual understanding and correct reading, preach the sermon. Under the heading "The Christian Science Pastor," in Article XIV, Section 1, of the Manual of The Mother Church, we read: "I, Mary Baker Eddy, ordain the Bible, and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Pastor over The Mother Church,—The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass.

The Church of Christ, Scientist, was formed to restore primitive Christian healing to the world, the healing which is the evidence of God's love for His children. Its teaching is based upon the words and works of the Master, Christ Jesus.

When John the Baptist was confronted with the query, "Who art thou?" by the priests and Levites sent from Jerusalem to question him, he readily confessed, "I am not the Christ" ( John 1:20 ). They again asked: "What then? Art thou Elias?

Hoping to find some pretext for refuting Jesus' teachings, the Pharisees and scribes often asked him questions. Some-times they questioned him concerning tribute, or asked whether an adulteress should be stoned, or by what authority he did his works.

In the prayer which Christ Jesus taught us, called the Lord's Prayer, we say ( Matt. 6:10 ): "Thy kingdom come.

" Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?.

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy gives seven synonymous terms for God—Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, and Love. While these synonyms are interchangeable, each has its distinctive nature.

God's thoughts are active. Omnipotence is their native air.

" If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you," said Christ Jesus ( John 15:7 ). Yet in spite of the magnanimity of their promise, do these words at times seem abstract, their meaning far removed from everyday life? Do we sometimes seem to ask in vain—to seek healing and yet remain unhealed? It is noteworthy that Jesus seldom made a promise or effected healing without either directly stating or indirectly implying the obligation involved.

We often hear reference made to someone's advancing years. Study of the word advance shows that the verb means "to move" or "go forward," "to progress"; and the noun means "improvement" and "progression.