Articles

What a rewarding work it is to introduce a newcomer to Christian Science! Yet how many of us shrink from approaching others. Procrastination, self-justification, and self-interest would hold us back with a variety of excuses.

When interviewing a number of applicants for membership in a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, a church committee found that although all the applicants subscribed to some of the Christian Science periodicals, not one had included The Herald of Christian Science in his subscription. Although subscribing to the periodicals is not mandatory for church membership, members and applicants together took this as a call to widen their mental horizons to embrace the specific purpose of the Herald outlined by Mrs.

It was said of Christ Jesus that no man ever spoke as he spoke. His words approximated the language of Spirit, and he prophesied that the sign of speaking in new tongues would follow those who believed (see Mark 16:17).

Have you ever suddenly found that one who seemed only a casual acquaintance was compatible—"one of us"? Do you remember how a whole new dimension began to shine in the relationship—more openness and deeper affection? Certainly interests in common with others make for closer relationships. But we all have precious spiritual things in common; paramount is one Father-Mother God, who includes all in His impartial outpouring of love.

Are we anxious about our church? A devoted church member may occasionally see conditions in his church he feels are unrepresentative of the spirituality church should express, and this disturbs him. He may find himself striking out at other members in a crusade of correction.

The world needs the discipleship of a practical Christianity which heals disease and overcomes sin. Christian Science supplies it.

"That was a moving experience!" "Get moving!" "Did you hear that the Smiths are moving?" "We should move ahead with that project. " What is the basic concept behind all these familiar expressions? God is the source of all action.

Are we dead already? Well, let us ask ourselves: Do I believe that matter is real? Do I accept the general conviction that sin, sickness, and death are realities—that death is inevitable? Am I of the opinion that God knows both good and evil? Have I a far-off heaven—a place somewhere above the sky? Am I inclined to think there is a personal devil with a burning hell somewhere under the earth? And do I identify myself as a matter man —a man made of dust, a mortal? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, in that measure do we accept a mortal concept of man—of ourselves—and are dead already. Now what can we do to overcome, rather than submit to, this lie called death? To work out our own salvation, to rise from the fake decree of mortal thought that we must die, and instead to live, we must do what Paul said he did: "I die daily.

Jesus gave us the clue to healing ability, spiritual success, and fulfillment: "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. " john 12:32; How is this accomplished? The answers are multiple.

Spiritual good is eternal, ever present. We can hope for and expect good, enjoy it in the present and tenderly recall it.