Welcome
If hard-working Christian people become too accustomed to thinking of their local church as a fragile thing, in danger of failing or falling apart, they can be surprised when spiritual breakthroughs show that Church actually sustains them in difficult times. When the Saviour described his church as something against which "the gates of hell shall not prevail," he was declaring the absolute permanence of God's power to govern the lives of His people.
We are brought together each month by something much more powerful than paper and ink. What unites Journal readers is a deep commitment to scientific Christianity—and the vital church experience that supports Christ-healing.
Dear Reader, When the churches in Eastern Europe began to come out from under communist repression and we saw what a force for change spiritual renewal could be, we cheered. And many of us felt strengthened in regard to our prayers for this kind of renewal in our own churches and communities.
This issue of the Journal offers some Christianly scientific perspective on issues of special concern to many people right now—particularly the world's deep-rooted economic problems, which cause unemployment, poverty, and homelessness. If we were to try to look for solutions entirely within the framework of recognized cause and effect for these problems, we might quickly come to the gloomy conclusion that the need is too great and there is simply not enough good to go round.
All over the world as 1992 gets underway, people's quest for freedom remains foremost in the news. The desire to be free wells up in those who live under political domination.
At the beginning of the chapter called "Fruitage" in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, the author, Mary Baker Eddy, writes, "Thousands of letters could be presented in testimony of the healing efficacy of Christian Science and particularly concerning the vast number of people who have been reformed and healed through the perusal or study of this book. " Along with the Bible, Science and Health is the foundation and superstructure for the demonstrable Science of Christian healing today.
A handwritten letter from Mary Baker Eddy to James Neal, January 28, 1897, regarding the importance of the practice of Christian Science healing My beloved Student, Your letter is my best New Year's gift. I had felt for sometime the fitness you possess for healing I knew it when you were a member of my College class.
Some months ago we worked closely with The Christian Science Board of Directors in developing a special issue of the Christian Science Sentinel called "Humanity's quest for health. " Out of the wide-ranging discussions held at that time also emerged plans for a special issue of the Journal.
"If we are going to maintain the interest of the newcomers we are attracting, what better 'schoolroom' can we provide than interesting and inspiring firsthand testimonies proving the application of spiritual truths to everyday current problems?.
Board of Trustees, Third Church of Christ, Scientist New York, New York Dear Friends: We want to thank you for the opportunity of sending greetings to the members of your church and through you to the members of other Christian Science churches in Greater New York and vicinity. We also want to assure you of our interest in what you have termed a "Gratitude Meeting.