Articles

AN outstanding feature which is brought out in the New Testament is the progress made by some of the disciples in their later ministry. For a long time, the twelve chosen ones had been but dull and doubting students.

CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS are engaged in the divine business of demonstrating man's inseparability from God. Through the wondrous light thrown upon the teachings of the Bible by God's revelation to Mary Baker Eddy, all mankind is able, where the desire exists, to experience something of the deep inspiration and spiritual attainment of the prophets, the apostles, and others who have been imbued with the spirit of the Christ.

IT is safe to say that there are few students of Christian Science who do not approach the truth, as revealed therein, in order to gain freedom from some form of error to which they believe themselves in bondage. Some find freedom quickly, others more slowly; but for each individual, freedom from some beliefs seems to come more quickly and more easily than from others.

Everyone at some time or other has had the experience of halting in front of a new building operation and with keen interest observing the artisans plying their various trades. It has been noticed that they made use of the measuring line, rod, gauge, or other instruments when laying a foundation or sidewalk, building up brick or stone work, or setting a window frame.

Whenever the stress of daily existence grows too insistent and oppressive to an individual, the longing for peace becomes uppermost in his thinking. He may recall the Master's words in the twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew's Gospel, "Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled," the record continuing a little farther on: "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Rest is satisfaction, contentment, peace. Rest is tranquillity, serenity, composure, calmness, comfort, security.

How often throughout the centuries these words of the Psalmist have been quoted: "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer"! But how seldom has the petitioner assumed any moral obligation to make the meditation of his heart, his habit of thought, acceptable in God's sight! Mortals are prone to shift the responsibility for their welfare to someone else, instead of assuming the obligation of watching their own thoughts. The Bible teaching on this subject is most explicit.

Widely differing opinions are held as to what constitutes the happiness which mankind is seeking for, searching for, in all directions. Some are seeking it in idle amusement; others think material wealth will bring it, and so spend their lives accumulating vast fortunes; some think fame will secure it; while others look for it in social prominence.

Memories of childhood days in homes where parents were religiously inclined, usually recall the reading of the Bible as one of the required duties. What mysteries surrounded the apparently strange phenomena related in some of those stories! With what interest the youthful imagination attempted to draw a mental picture of a God so satisfying as to make those stories seem really true! In course of time the same "still small voice" that enabled the true idea to triumph in times of flood, famine, persecution, war, and disease, revealed through Mary Baker Eddy the Science of Christianity.

It is noteworthy that students of Christian Science who have made some degree of progress are more often heard to express their gratitude for greater spiritual enlightenment than for the alleviation of physical sickness. One reason for this may be that as they have advanced they have learned to apply their understanding of Christian Science more as a preventive agency.