Branch Church News
The weary traveler in the desert welcomes the sight of green foliage and blossoms. It is a sign that he is approaching an oasis.
The keynote of the teaching in the Christian Science Sunday School is found in Jesus' words ( John 6:45 ), "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. " All who have had the privilege of teaching Sunday School classes have had the experience of finding ideas flowing to them with an inspiration that was not human, but divine.
When Mary Baker Eddy established the Christian Science Sunday School, it became an integral part of the Church of Christ, Scientist. Therefore, instead of being an activity and responsibility limited to teachers and officers of the Sunday School, it affords an opportunity for every church member to share in some degree in this vital work.
Christ Jesus evidenced an unusual interest in and love for children. He said ( Mark 10:14 ), "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
It is significant that our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, ever cognizant of mankind's needs for spiritual advancement, established Reading Rooms very early in the growth of Christian Science. From "Historical Sketches" by Clifford P.
Today when our hearts are filled with love and gratitude for the Christian Science Sunday School and the many blessings it is bringing to our children, how precious it is to recall the account of the quiet evening in a cosy parlor of a New England home when the idea of the Christian Science Sunday School unfolded to Mary Baker Eddy. The account constitutes a portion of the recollections of one of Mrs.
" HOW shall I teach the children to love, understand, and apply the truth as revealed in Christian Science? How shall I appeal to their interest and banish restlessness and inattention?" These and many other questions are asked by the Christian Scientist when he undertakes the work of teaching in Sunday School. One who has had no previous experience in teaching is often troubled by distrust of his ability.
ON page 113 of "Miscellaneous Writings" our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, says, "The systematized centres of Christian Science are life-giving fountains of truth. " There is no doubt that she considered the Christian Science Reading Room as a systematized center of Christian Science— such an important one that no church can become a branch of The Mother Church until it supports or participates in the support of a Reading Room (Church Manual, Art.
" THE entire education of children should be such as to form habits of obedience to the moral and spiritual law, with which the child can meet and master the belief in so-called physical laws, a belief which breeds disease. " Thus writes Mary Baker Eddy on page 62 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.
" ALL are cordially invited to attend our services, and to use the Reading Room. " Such is the friendly invitation extended to those attending the services of a church of the Christian Science denomination.