Articles

There is only one prayer that is ever answered—the prayer to know God. He is our one real need.

Mrs. Eddy's answer to the question "What are body and Soul?" provides a thought-provoking definition of man's spiritual identity.

Early in my study of Christian Science I was challenged by a remark that shocked me into serious thinking about the Lesson-Sermon—the Bible Lesson in the Christian Science Quarterly that is the basis of all Christian Science Sunday services. During a dinner table conversation in a college dormitory, a faculty member turned to me suddenly and said, "I don't see how Christian Science can ever succeed without personal preaching!" My reply was brief, but in the quiet of my own room afterward, I mentally dug my heels into the ground in defense of my impersonal pastor.

It is very significant that the most effective man who ever walked this earth said, "I can of mine own self do nothing. " John 5:30 Jesus was not merely making some meek statement of self-effacement.

A number of active, working Christian Scientists were asked to write us letters telling how they study the weekly Lesson-Sermon in the "Christian Science Quarterly. " Excerpts from these letters will appear under this heading during the next eleven months.

Effective teaching in the Christian Science Sunday School gains inspired impetus as teachers recognize the source of all true knowledge. This source is Mind, God.

Are you enjoying your true heritage— the heritage of a child of God, spiritual and immortal? Jesus taught and proved this relationship of God and man to be the source of illimitable good. Then, as sons and daughters of God, we need not sit in sackcloth while beliefs of aging knock at our mental door.

Democracy as practiced in any branch Church of Christ, Scientist, makes special demands upon its members. The most important rule of democratic procedure allows a majority to pass decisions for ultimate action and implies that the minority will then support the joint purpose.

Is somebody saying things about you that are either complete falsehoods or distortions of the facts? Have you been doing your very best to express the qualities of God, to demonstrate God-given abilities in your work, church, and relationships? And now, instead of receiving respect and appreciation, are you getting criticism and condemnation? This state of affairs is only too familiar. But it can and should be reversed.

During World War II, I heard a young servicewoman at a Wednesday meeting in a Christian Science church testify how in the midst of enemy bombing she had reached out to God for help to overcome fear. The thought that came to her, instantly wiping away all fear, was, "Why, there's no mortal me to be afraid!" That healing thought has stayed with me through the years, convincing me that the testimonies we give at our Wednesday meetings can span time and distance and be remembered with healing effect years later! They can bless immeasurably because the unselfishness that motivates them originates in God.