Articles

Perhaps there is not anywhere a more graphic picture of multiplied human affliction than is given in the story of Job. No clear understanding of the salutary influence of suffering seems to have come to Job to comfort him in his sorrows until Elihu, the God-inspired man, gently turns Job's thought from its self-centeredness to a contemplation of God's power as manifest in nature.

Are we, as Christian Scientists, proving in our lives that "perfect love casteth out fear"? Is our living sufficiently characterized by restfulness and unhurrying calm? We may, perhaps, be happily free from a great overshadowing fear, but if upon examination we find ourselves apparently tinged more or less with the subsidiaries of fear, we shall do well to take immediate steps toward their destruction. Fear must not be allowed place in our thinking simply because it seems to be of a trivial nature.

Heaven is man's necessity. When analyzed, man's every effort is to achieve some concept of heaven,—or, as too often proves the case, some misconception of heaven,—which seems to promise, as he reaches for it, to add something to his sum of good.

Courts, which are human instrumentalities for the determination of truth in the administration of relative justice, have frequently had occasion to consider and define reputation and character. Judicial expression has not always been clear; and the common use of these words has often been both misleading and confusing.

We are told that when the apostle John attained a great age he talked little; however, he frequently repeated the words: "Little children, love one another. " When asked why he clung to this one thought tradition says he replied: Because it is the command of the Lord and if this is done, it is enough.

Salvation is gained in the ratio that Truth is understood and mortal selfhood is relinquished. The definition of salvation, as given by Mrs.

In these strange and stirring times, when the disintegration of mortal mind goes on apace, when strife and tumult walk hand in hand with limitation and fear, it is well to remember where our succor is. The terror of those outside the ark of safety is pitiful; but when we remember that it is likewise baseless, we rejoice in some understanding of good that disarms error.

The writer has many times read articles expressing gratitude for our Lesson-Sermons. A short time ago he had occasion to spend Sunday in a small town in which there was no church, and as he was not acquainted with any Christian Scientist in the place, he went to his room at the hotel, and held a service alone, according to the usual order, except that he acted as both First and Second Reader, and also as congregation.

In childhood the writer often faced the question: What difference does it make what you believe in, so long as you believe in it,—that is, so long as you have faith in it as an ideal by which you can lift yourself up? To you, it must be good. She thus grew up with the comfortable assurance that all religions, including idolatry, were good for those who believed in them and honestly practiced them,—and would ultimately result in good.

As the world progresses in the knowledge of God, and human life and action gradually broaden into higher and freer modes of expression, the old-time duties of man assume new phases and the responsibilities of past centuries reappear in new forms and need to be considered in the clearer light of present necessities. The mass of intelligent men and women is increasing hour by hour, thereby giving rise to large bodies of people who ask that their viewpoints be conveyed to other greater and yet greater bodies, in a true and orderly way, and representation becomes one of the responsibilities devolving upon certain chosen characters, in modes of such far-reaching consequences that an ambassador of the time of Cæsar would quail before the exigencies of his modern military, civil, or denominational successor.