Articles

" How can I progress most rapidly in the understanding of Christian Science?" is a question Mary Baker Eddy asks in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" ( p. 495 ).

It is helpful to ask ourselves, What does reading and pondering the life and works of Christ Jesus do for us? Does it not inspire us to draw closer to the Father, divine Principle, who governed the man Jesus? In gaining an understanding of the Principle of Jesus' teachings, we also gain an understanding of the Principle of his works. The inspiration of the Master's lifework comes to us in the degree of our receptivity to the spiritual truths he taught.

Which shall be supreme in our affections—divine Principle or human personality? This is the decision which every individual must make who would demonstrate Christ, Truth, in the way of Jesus' appointing. To work out one's own salvation, to become "kings and priests unto God," demands spiritual understanding and steadfastness.

After one becomes interested in the teachings of Christian Science and begins to demonstrate its healing and regenerating power, he naturally looks forward to church membership as the next step of progress. Usually he is imbued with the happy feeling that the Christian Science church is the open door to finding heaven on earth.

Late one Wednesday afternoon a member of a Christian Science branch church entered her home feeling weary and burdened. She had experienced an unusually trying week and thought that it would be too much of an effort to attend church that evening.

The age-old question ( Gen. 4:9 ), "Am I my brother's keeper?" propounded by Cain in his own defense, has recurred periodically and frequently through the centuries.

Man has a glorious inheritance. How much we appreciate this gift depends upon the knowledge we have of our spiritual birthright.

In time of great conflict men reach out for a sure defense. They know that success, and even survival, depends upon the soundness of their protection and their ability to use it.

In her sermon "The People's Idea of God" ( p. 9 ) Mary Baker Eddy writes, "Christian Science has one faith, one Lord, one baptism; and this faith builds on Spirit, not matter; and this baptism is the purification of mind,—not an ablution of the body, but tears of repentance, an overflowing love, washing away the motives for sin; yea, it is love leaving self for God.

While I was gazing from the height of our ranch home down into the beautiful river valley, and beyond it to the mountains, the reality of the eternal now of spiritual vision—in contrast with the unreality of the human concepts of time, past, present, and future—was indelibly impressed upon my thought. The valley dwellers and travelers upon the winding roads far below had a limited range of vision.