Articles

As free as a bird is an expression usually employed to designate a carefree, untroubled, joyous mood and is associated with song, gratitude, harmony, and buoyant, zest-filled activity. This most nearly describes the freedom emanating from and to be found in all the manifestations of God.

In churches and over the air in daily broadcast services throughout the breadth of England and the British Empire go up simple prayers for the protection and guidance of the royal family and those handling the affairs of state of this great nation and its offspring peoples. To a non-Britisher this may seem like vain repetition or even a kind of hero worship, a personal devotion perhaps that in modern times seems to smack a bit of overtraditionalism.

One of America's greatest statesmen, Charles Sumner, was an uncompromising foe of human slavery, and his work in Congress had much to do with the ultimate banishment of this practice from our land. Of him, John Greenleaf Whittier wrote: One language held his heart and lip, Straight onward to his goal he trod, And proved the highest statesmanship Obedience to the voice of God.

An inward conviction that freedom is definitely linked with righteousness and its primal quality love, and is unattainable without them, led the writer to consult the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy on this subject. Today freedom is again being challenged, and it is good to make sure that our ideas on this tremendous issue are sound and clear and include a genuine conviction of its spiritual quality.

Peter glimpsed but faintly the true idea of Love when he asked Jesus ( Matt. 18:21 ), "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?" The Master's reply made it clear that Peter, placing a limit on forgiveness, did not fully understand the infinite all of Love.

Perhaps at some time in our experience we have heard a friend or acquaintance say with some measure of pride, "You know I am a perfectionist. " This announcement is intended to convey the information that the one who places himself in this category is a very meticulous person, demanding perfection in every detail of human experience.

Understanding Christian Science in a degree sufficient to heal requires humble, honest, trustful, and fervent application of thought. It does not call for merely intellectual struggle or attainment.

Nothing is more conclusive in Christian teaching and experience than that the human self must be renounced and put off in order that the real man, the divine idea, may appear. To the inquiring Nicodemus, Jesus replied ( John 3:7 ), "Ye must be born again.

How likely is it that we shall, any one of us, accomplish the good results we hope and work for? Of course the answer depends largely on whether our hope is wise or unwise and on our proper use of the right means of accomplishment. We can safely trust our desires to the direction of divine Principle, perfect Love, whose sole purpose for man is fulfillment.

It is natural that we should expect Christian Science to be practical and helpful in all phases of our maturing experience. Allegiance to its teachings will prepare one unerringly for important opportunities both within and beyond the college gates, opportunities awaiting those equipped to fulfill them.