Articles

Hon . William E.

Mr. Torrance Parker, A.

MERELY to state that Christian Science is founded upon so distinctive a basis that it is necessarily differentiated from all other philosophies and religions does not carry conviction. Similarly, to assert sweepingly that the divine Principle underlying it constitutes the one and only true God makes no great appeal, unless there is unfolded a concept of God which is dearer than any that has before been entertained; for, ignorant though he may be of the fact, a mortal's right activities are conditioned upon his individual understanding of God; and no true reform can be consummated save through a transformation of thought originating in a clearer knowledge of what God really is.

THERE are few things in human experience about which more varying opinions are entertained than about prayer. Upon most of us, at some time or other, the need for prayer has been impressed; either in childhood by those having charge of us, or in later years, when coming into contact with others who had the welfare of humanity at heart.

THERE are times in human experience when one seems tried almost beyond the limits of endurance. When these occur, the alert student of Christian Science spends no time in giving way to resentment, or fretfully questioning the justice of the experience, but turns for relief to the sure balm for all his ills to be found in the Bible, the leaves of which tree are "for the healing of the nations," and in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," which God has given us in this age through Mary Baker Eddy.

FOR many years before becoming a student of Christian Science the writer was afraid to voice all of the Lord's Prayer, especially the sentence, "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. " She felt she did not want God to forgive her as she sometimes forgave! The spiritual understanding of this marvelous prayer, imparted by Christian Science, dispelled the almost superstitious fear, and gave her, instead, an abiding sense of protection, peace, and power, which no emotional prayer of mere supplication could ever give.

AN experience came to the writer many years ago which she deems worthy of recounting. While yet a beginner in the study of Christian Science, she came into possession of a young Saint Bernard dog.

WE sometimes hear the expression, "He is a gentleman of the old school;" and upon acquaintance with the character whom these words describe, we find a fine courtesy, mellow judgment, chivalrous honor, consideration in controversy, an intelligent discrimination, and a kindly humor. It has been the lot of many to know, in a more or less intimate degree, such a one in the relation of a "guide, philosopher, and friend;" and what better could we say in appreciation of such a one than that he was a courteous Christian gentleman? The argument that there are few left of the old school where such characteristics reigned is being daily refuted in the light of Christian Science, which teaches that the art of true living is possible here and now, and is attained through right thinking, that is, by having the same Mind which was in Christ Jesus.

A CAREFUL study of the history of the children of Israel shows that each of their many and varying experiences has its parallel in some form in the progress of any advancing Christian; and we are brought to the conclusion that Moses, the great leader of this people, who lived so close to God, who spoke with God so directly, face to face, that "the skin of his face shone," has recorded the steps of his own advancement in the life of a nation. These people were so near to him that they could receive the light in a degree; and this uplifting influence became such a power that they were ready to accept the higher spiritual laws of government, even though to many of them these could mean but a higher standard of human living.

IT is interesting to note the publicity given and the personal homage sometimes paid to individuals who have done either some great thing for humanity's sake or what seems to have been of general benefit to the world at large. But for those benefactors of mankind who have realized that real benefits can result only from the demonstration of the understanding of God's laws, personal homage has little or no interest.