Articles

In the book of Proverbs we read, "Where there is no vision, the people perish. " The Bible is replete with messages regarding the need of vision.

It is with a deep sense of gratitude for their textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, that Christian Science students sing the words of a loved hymn: "Holy Bible! book divine! Precious treasure! thou art mine: Mine to tell me whence I came; Mine to tell me what I am. " For was not this "book divine," the Bible, practically closed to them until the textbook, proving itself a veritable "key" to the Scriptures, unlocked the treasures of Truth therein, and they found comfort and healing in its pages? In sharp contrast to the awakened interest in the Scriptures that Christian Science inspires, one notes with wonder the attitude of many people to-day regarding these same Scriptures, and marvels to see them regarded as chiefly historical records, and of no practical use in daily life, or, what is worse, even openly disbelieved.

When the first joy of release from disease or mental suffering comes to us, bringing with it a sudden perception of the potentialities of Christian Science, we feel assured that never again can we be utterly cast down. But as the days go by this happy exaltation may seem to dim, and the conditions which have long been grievous in our human experience may once more claim our attention.

It was Christ Jesus who first taught men that all evil must and can be overcome by good; and after that teaching little by little had been seemingly lost as the ages passed, it was restored to mankind through the revelation to Mary Baker Eddy of Christian Science. Jesus knew God as all-powerful, ever present, ever active good, and therefore as unchanging Life and Love.

Students of the New Testament naturally love to study the Beatitudes, wherein Jesus changes the formal prohibitions of law into the revelation of good—of the blessings following goodness. The law says thou shalt not injure thy neighbor; the beatitude shows how men may enjoy good within themselves and be spontaneous in right activity.

"WHERE there is no vision, the people perish. " This is a truism applicable to all ages, individually and collectively.

THE deceptive tendencies of the physical senses are recognized by all thinking people, and yet through many centuries mankind has continued the practice of judging mostly from the standpoint of their testimony. He whom the Christian world acknowledges as having had the keenest insight into things both spiritual and mundane of any who ever walked this earth, strongly decried this tendency; and we have his admonition, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

CHRIST JESUS ' words, "Search the scriptures," or as the Revised Version has it, "Ye search the scriptures," were spoken, it would appear, in defense of his mission and works. The healing of the cripple had preceded the utterance.

IN the book of Acts we find Peter rejoicing because an "angel of the Lord" had come and delivered him "from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. " The extremely hostile attitude of Herod and of those around him gave the Christians great concern, else Peter would not have entertained and voiced that deep feeling of gratitude; and his experience may awaken us to a need to be watchful and alert lest we fall under the influence of something of the same sort, from which we would wish to be delivered.

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE is based upon the fact that God, good, is infinite; that He is the one and only Mind, power, cause, including all effect—indeed, that God, divine Principle, is All-in-all. "All things were made by him; and without him was not any 'thing made that was made," as the Apostle John declared.