Articles

NATURALNESS is a much abused and misused word, yet taken at its best and in its highest meaning it is something greatly to be desired, and is within the reach of every human being. What then is naturalness? The dictionary tells us that it is "freedom from affectation, artificiality, or exaggeration," but it is much more than this.

THE natural tendency of mortals is to seek after that which will give them pleasure or in some way add to their happiness; but reasoning from a wholly material basis, their treasure, present or prospective, is that which is pleasing to the human senses, and all too soon they find it infected, by moth or rust and hopelessly corrupted. Until mankind can look at life from a different standpoint and obey the behest of the master Christian to seek "first the kingdom of God," all efforts toward finding true happiness or even peace, must prove futile.

IN working out the question of supply there is probably no more helpful and inspiring lesson in the whole range of the Scriptures than that contained in the account given in the opening verses of the fourth chapter of the second book of Kings. The man of God was faced with what seemed a difficult and distressing problem; a crisis had arisen in the life of one of his friends, which, if not handled promptly and firmly, promised a tragic finale.

THE clear little brook that flows joyously along its natural course in accord with the law which governs it, spontaneously supplies a great need to the many. Nothing does it know of the wants of men; and yet, by simply being itself and seeking with ever onward flow its inevitable destination, the brook involuntarily blesses whoever seeks its help.

THE Christian Science church organization is designed to be as complete and as pure a democracy as it is possible to formulate in human language and practice. Though The Mother Church is the head of the organization, it does not exercise control over the branch churches in local affairs, nor does it claim to do so.

IN the Manual of The Mother Church (Art. XX, Sects.

THE time once came when the children of Israel had urgent need to learn a lesson. Left without a leader after the passing away of Joshua, they so lapsed into evil ways that they at last found themselves fugitives in the land of Midian, hiding in dens and caves in the mountains for fear of the depredations of those around them.

ONENESS of mind in the upper room of consciousness, effected through scientific demonstration, is the marvel of this age. Many minds, many opinions, and diverse ways, is the rule of human belief, based upon personal sense-testimony.

IS there a man of whom you never think because you do not see him with your eyes or hear him with your ears? If there be such a man, is he physical and mortal, subject to change and decay like all material nature, whether organic or inorganic; or is he akin to Mind, and therefore spiritual and immortal? If man were nothing but breathing dust, despair and wisdom would be synonyms, all moral codes and ideals would be foolish and baseless fantasies, all moral government a myth and a tyranny. But if we predicate man's immortal being as self-conscious intelligence, the offspring of eternal Mind, then despair becomes a shadow which has fled, and joy, faith, and hope unveil their steadfast constellations.

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Oakland, Cal. AS in so many other localities, gratitude for healing was the inspiration for the first established work of Christian Science in Oakland.