Articles

One of the many interesting points about the Beatitudes is that each condition mentioned, is described as being blessed in the present rather than in the future. In the second beatitude Jesus' striking statement, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted," surely implies by the use of the word "are" that such a state of blessedness is here and now available for such as mourn.

Whenever a man in combat service fails to return to his base at a given time, or to reach a destination to which he has been sent, a message is sent to his next of kin stating that the soldier or sailor is "missing in action. " This information is usually passed on to others by word of mouth or through the newspapers, so that in a very short time the belief of loss is quite generally accepted.

" How do these truths apply to my problems or to the world? What is there in this very familiar citation which I have not yet fully grasped?" The Christian Scientist approaching his study of the Lesson-Sermon with these questions in mind will find his reading to be vital and meaningful. No false sense of routine, no lack of inspiration, can vitiate the thought which turns in alertness and gratitude to the Bible and to "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy for daily bread.

Through Christian Science the Scriptures are illumined, and the parables and sayings of Jesus unfold in clarity and meaning as the student turns in thought from the material sense of creation, commonly accepted as real, to the spiritual sense, based on the first chapter of Genesis. In the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, the chapter headed "Glossary" enables one to translate material terms into their spiritual meaning, which, when apprehended, furthers progress.

In Mark it is related that one day there came a certain ruler to Jesus, asking for help for his little daughter, who lay "at the point of death. " On the way to the ruler's house people thronged the Master and delayed his arrival.

Mary Baker Eddy writes in "Miscellaneous Writings" ( p. 23 ): "Few there are who comprehend what Christian Science means by the word reflection.

" The determination to hold Spirit in the grasp of matter is the persecutor of Truth and Love. " So writes Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, on page 28 of her textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.

Today , plans of every kind are being made for the present and the future, for victory in war and peace, for health, for security and happiness, for democracy and freedom. And to this universal planning for a new world Christian Science offers an invaluable contribution.

The progressive thinker instructed in Christian Science knows that the one need of humanity is spiritual enlightenment, a clear understanding of the nature of God and His creation and the futility and nothingness of evil. It is of paramount importance that men should realize that the arena where every conflict with evil is fought and finally won is in individual thinking.

Christian Science teaches that true worship of God is shown forth in an explicit understanding of divine Love accompanied by good deeds. Our love for God can always be measured by our love for man, and it is by deeds that men find access to heaven, harmony.