Articles

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.

In all the Bible pages wherein are written accounts of the children of Israel, we read how help and guidance were given them through men who knew God well enough to be channels for His Word. It is noted that even though error seemed rampant,—doubt, distrust, disease, tempting mankind,—nevertheless, there was at all times a promise or word of encouragement to all those who would give ear to and heed the voice of Truth.

Before Mrs. Eddy gave to the world her gospel of freedom— Christian Science—mankind went heavily along, its back bowed beneath many burdens, which it carried as a matter of course, believing that sickness, poverty, sorrow, the so-called law of heredity, and such like, were either God-sent or else firmly established by some power apart from good.

The various accounts given in the New Testament of the teachings of Christ Jesus serve to emphasize the simplicity and directness of these teachings. He invited his disciples to "consider the lilies of the field, how they grow;" and not infrequently he spoke of the trees and the rocks, of oil and jewels.

The story of Philip and the eunuch in The Acts of the Apostles is a very unusual one, justifying careful consideration. We find there an account of Philip's guidance and obedience, and the beautiful result; we find the eunuch's earnest desire to learn, and the gratification of that desire; we find, if we read carefully; the true signification of baptism, the explanation of salvation, and we come happily to the conclusion that the eunuch "went on his way rejoicing.

Those who believe that man is the victim of fate customarily speak of destiny or fate as being blind; untoward happenings are the result of unseeing chance, of blind necessity. Fate operates enshrouded in darkness.

It has often been a surprise to Bible students that so much time and thought were expended on the dimensions and furnishings of the tabernacle, which the children of Israel erected in the wilderness under the guidance of the great Lawgiver. The minute details, as given by Moses in the book of Exodus, make it abundantly clear that every particular, down to the smallest detail, was considered of distinctive import.

The Psalmist sang, "O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. " Who does not long to accept that joyous invitation? Who does not yearn to be so sure of God, good, that good may be exalted in his thinking and in his whole experience? We may greatly rejoice that the way to this much-to-be-desired result is being clearly shown the world to-day through the teachings of Christian Science.