Articles

The history of word-development often runs parallel with the progress of human thinking. To trace the origin and history of words, therefore, is often to throw light on the evolution of human concepts.

In striving to conquer sin, one should pray with courage and inspiration drawn from our Master's great command, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. " The mistaken habit of believing one's self to be identified with evil rather than with good may appear not to be broken either easily or quickly, but every temptation overcome is Truth's victory over error for that individual who persists in "Still treading each temptation down, And battling for a brighter crown.

When instructing the seventy as to the nature of the service required of them during that epochmaking tour which he bade them undertake to the glory of God,—that is, for the purpose of demonstrating the power of the Word by healing the sick and the sinning,—our Master enjoined them, "Into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. " Now it may very well be that Jesus intended them to obey this injunction literally.

An intelligent, accurate, and unprejudiced study of the life of Jesus the Christ is invaluable, because it enables one to understand and to follow the example of the most righteous character in history, and thereby to work out one's own salvation. In pursuing this study one should know at the very outset that the word "Jesus" and the word "Christ" are not synonymous, though they are frequently so regarded.

In going into a dark room from a lighted one, there is usually a sense of difficulty in finding one's way towards the farther side of the room; but on returning to the lighted room, one finds the light by which he can walk with assurance. All obstacles being clearly seen, they can therefore be avoided.

The spiritual seers of old believed that, whatever the situation, God was able to control it and to protect his followers. Often divided from their people—as in the cases of Joseph and Daniel,—held captive in alien countries with institutions and religious beliefs opposed to theirs, in the serene security of spiritual understanding they demonstrated the beautiful spirit of their religion, while Truth reflected gave to their lives a marvelous dignity.

From Genesis to Revelation the Bible is constantly pointing out to men that faithfulness is the foundation upon which the successful achievement of any endeavor rests. To be genuinely faithful is to dare to do what we know is right, regardless of any efforts or arguments that may be employed to dissuade us.

In these days of the world's financial reconstruction, a certain expression, "hard times," seems again to have achieved for itself almost universal acceptance. Swiftly it passes from lip to lip, carrying with it doubt, fear, and discouragement; and steadily and surely does it continue to claim its victims, until it reaches some one who knows enough to know that it is only a lie, and stops it right there.

In defining the word "tribulation," the Oxford English Dictionary gives, "A condition of great affliction, oppression, or misery;" and Webster adds, "A trouble; trial. " With these definitions in thought, the passage in Acts which says that "we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God," affords little consolation to the average person.

In attempting to write on such a vast subject as Christian Science, what stands out above all else is the necessity for keeping in thought from the outset that the authoritative sources of information regarding it are "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, and the Bible studied in its light, together with Mrs. Eddy's other writings.