Articles

Is it possible to be optimistic about the world situation when daily there appear new areas of conflict and violence, as well as continuing problems from the past? Can one survey all these disturbances in an intelligent and helpful way and still maintain faith in ultimate and certain good? First of all, we need to gain and sustain a proper perspective. A few years ago, an Austrian physicist wrote an article for an American magazine explaining how he, as a physicist, could be an optimist in these times.

By defining God as the one divine Mind, and man as the expression of this Mind rather than as a mortal with a mind of his own, Christian Science shows spiritual thoughts emanating from the divine Mind to be the true fabric of being. Mortal thoughts don't start from the brain, although they may seem to.

If a problem seems unyielding despite persistent prayer, one might ask himself, "What is my motive for praying? To improve matter? Or to glorify God, good?" A problem can seem mountainous, can seem to dominate our mental horizon and limit our view of infinite good. Result: we find ourselves accepting it as a reality, an obstacle to peace and progress.

Recently, a small Christian Science Society contacted The Christian Science Board of Directors. Their membership was down to four people; they explained they couldn't raise a great deal of money, but they wanted to build a new church that would cost about forty thousand dollars.

Most of us work hard and pray deeply about our choice of readings, when the choice is up to us. But until you have actually read a selection aloud you don't know how it will sound.

"You're going to start Christian Science services in your town?" our friends asked. "Why? Are there other Christian Scientists there?" We answered that we knew of no others yet.

What has happened when a pregnancy has miscarried? Can an idea of God be terminated or lost? Certainly not. Then if God governs everything, is this God's will? Is it "nature's way" of correcting a mistake? Both these questions stem from a belief that there is life in matter.

Christ Jesus loved the childlike thought—receptive and yielding so quickly to good. He said, "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

There is an island that belongs to the birds. Each evening at sunset flocks of ibis, herons, egrets, and pelicans fly into the embrace of the trees on the island.

Most of us have encountered the human problem of losing something we possessed. We not only lose objects we value, but we are also faced with the sense of losing companionship, our health, employment, or financial security.