Articles

The beginning of Christ Jesus' momentous ministry was heralded by God's statement of a glorious fact: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. " Matt.

Many of us can remember when Christmas was a very simply observed religious holiday. Pageants depicting the birth of Jesus, the singing of carols, the Christmas tree, and a simple exchange of gifts characterized the festivities.

In the twenty-first chapter of John we are privileged to share in a dialogue between Christ Jesus and Simon Peter, in which the Master gave his disciple an important directive. "Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.

A Chaplain who is a Christian Scientist might find himself in a combat zone or a coffeehouse, on a helicopter trip or a parachute jump. It's all in a day's work.

Little is known about Joel or his father Pethuel (see Joel 1:1); but apparently they were of Israelite stock living in the province of Judah, and more specifically in its capital, Jerusalem. Joel was familiar with the sacred city and its people.

On the morning of the day before Thanksgiving, in the year 1908, Mrs. Eddy called the members of her household into her study.

Many First Readers announce at each service in a Church of Christ, Scientist, "The members of this church welcome you. " But how do we as church members and regular attendants really feel about those of bizarre dress, of different colored skin, of poor reputation? Should any of these enter our church edifice, do we bid them welcome with love, or do we feel smug contempt? Are we glad that God has sent us some more of His children, or do we silently point them out by nudging elbows, nodding our heads and winking to say, "There's a strange one here"? And, later, do we discuss them as if it is odd that they come to seek the Christ, Truth? But isn't their coming a most natural action? Haven't our prayers been that all receptive hearts should share in our worship of God? Oh, let us love enough to look beyond the outer appearance! Let our welcome be the essence of love distilled—unselfed, innocent of all hypocrisy—an invitation to come again and again.

He who knows not and knows not he knows not: he is a fool—shun him: .

Teachableness, intelligence, vision—how can we assure an evidence of these qualities in the audience at our next Christian Science lecture? Mrs. Eddy writes: "The lives of all reformers attest the authenticity of their mission, and call the world to acknowledge its divine Principle.

Christian Science enables its students to develop the kind of self-reliance that is so essential to enable them to reap the fruits of prayerful work and success in a chosen field of activity. Through absolute reliance on God and on an understanding of the perfect spiritual nature of man, the student can develop his capacities and gain confidence to meet any demand upon him.