A note about the cover sketch by Luanne:

Boston Light — little Brewster Island (outer Boston Harbor), Massachusetts

Boston Light was the first light station in North America and is the country’s oldest continuously used lighthouse site. The original structure, built in 1716, was destroyed during the Revolutionary War. Rebuilt in 1783, it has been called “the ideal American lighthouse.” Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1964, it is the only manned lighthouse in the United States.

“Heal the Sick”

Christian Science Journal, June 1893

In the last chapter of Mark, it is recorded that Jesus appeared to his eleven disciples as they sat at meat. At this last meeting, Jesus closed his earthly instruction with the following, “They shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.”

Can it be that these words were intended for only these eleven men? Was not his mission for all the world, equally, as much as for those of his time?

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, and surely sin, disease, and death must be the works of the devil which he came to destroy. He recognized sin and sickness as the same thing, or, more accurately, sickness as the result of sin; for he said to the man whom he healed at the pool of Bethesda, “Behold, thou art made whole; sin no more lest a worse thing come upon thee.”

Jesus repeatedly urged that we should follow him, and do the works that he did. We are not asked to blindly believe, but are simply given the rule by which we must work, and each one can prove it for himself.

We can scarcely believe that we, too, have the wonderful power that Jesus gave to his disciples! But are we any less his disciples, if we are following him, than were those who lived in his time? And if we are his followers today, trying to tread in his footsteps, then is not the command, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead,” for us? If we do not the works, it must be either because we cannot, or we will not, — which is it?

Jesus demonstrated what he taught, and urged all to do likewise. If we claim there is a God, we should prove it, and show that He is God of the living, and not of the dead. We should demonstrate that He is a “very present help in trouble.”

I am fast coming to the conclusion that, in most cases, if not in all, there must first be a sick mentality before there can be a sick body. I have quite a lot of evidence already, and am constantly seeking more, both as to discordant thought producing sickness, and as to healing being brought about through right thought rather than through drugs.

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Christian Science Sentinel, May 1899

Faith, according to the Scriptures, is a lever that will remove all difficulties from the path of anyone who chooses to employ it. It is such a simple, easy thing — just to have faith and “see the salvation of the Lord.”

But faith in Christian Science requires the faith of understanding, acquired in no other way than by patient and persistent practice.

Edison solved many problems in regard to the application of electricity to the service of mankind, but he did not come at the solution of them through a blind faith. Patient experimentation and proof led him step by step to a more thorough understanding of electricity than anyone before him had acquired. Edison had faith in electricity because he understood how to utilize it. Electricity was just as ready to work for Caesar as it was to work for Edison, but Caesar lacked the understanding to avail himself of it. Blind faith in the power of electricity would never help a man, and neither will a blind belief in the power of God. To receive divine aid, men must learn how to cooperate with God, which is quite a different thing from blindly believing in divine protection.

In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy indicates that faith means understanding and is the result of moral purification, the mastery of appetites and passions. Every thought must be purified; every act, however insignificant, must be enriched by a right motive.

As jealousy, pride, malice, selfishness, impatience, irritability, and readiness to find fault are replaced with patience, meekness, humility, compassion, and good-will, the warmth and light of divine Love permeate and energize human thought.

As we go on in the road that Jesus walked, honestly wishing to abandon selfishness, more of Truth comes to us. In this way we find the faith or understanding based on proof which enables Christian Scientists to heal the sick. As more of Truth is gained, greater power over error will be exercised. Many people are well to-day who were rescued almost from the grave by Christian Science. As the example of living set by Jesus is more and more closely followed, we will be able to do the works that he did, and his statement, “Greater works than these shall he do,” will be fulfilled.

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Every day we are overwhelmed with so much information on issues in relation to health, environment and other issues, and how government and politicians can fix a broken system. The truth is that people are worried over these issues as it relates to their families. Some people are worried about what would happen to their families if their health insurance is terminated, or if they get sick. If you are one of these people, look no further; your answer is in God. Human government is not the solution and never has been. Turn to God, the Maker of man and the universe, and trust Him with your life and family. He has always taken care of His own, and He always will.

If you are in need of health insurance, God has it. He is the only one who will never turn you away, even with “pre-existing conditions.” “The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.” (Deut.) God is calling us to come to Him, for He is all we need and He is the only safety there is.

Of course, we each take the human footsteps as God directs us regarding insurance, Remembering always that the only true and enduring insurance for our lives and for our possessions is through our understanding of God.

Don’t wait to obtain this deeper understanding of God. The Bible says, “behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (II Cor.) The only requirement God is asking of us is to trust Him with all our hearts and He will take care of us. God must be first, above everything else in our lives; we must commit to serving Him and working for Him wholeheartedly. There are no other requirements.

One of the greatest protections against the unknown, the unseen, the unexpected, is the work to bless humanity, because one cannot bless humanity without handling the error that comes to humanity, and the handling of such error is one’s own life insurance. In working for all humanity you must handle its animal magnetism. This is the Christian Scientist’s life insurance, since one cannot be handled by that which one is already handling.

Trust in God — God is Life — God is infinite, therefore if we are the image and likeness of infinity, we have no beginning and no end, and are His image and likeness; that is my life insurance.

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Gems

Through her healing work, Mrs. Eddy has proven that the power which Jesus used to restore the sick has never left the earth. It is an ever-present law which can be used by anyone who is willing to study Christian Science.

Peace and healing flood our lives as fast as our resistance gives way and lets them in.

There is only one thing true about you from everlasting to everlasting, and that is what God knows about you. God knows you as His idea, perfect, immortal, eternal, indestructible, and that is all that is true about you.

What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.

With what joy one awakens each morning, thanking God for Christian Science, which is progressively unfolding the spiritual, demonstrable inheritance of immortal life, unerring intelligence, limitless love, and perfect health, holiness, and purity.

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“The Sea of Galilee”

Sketch by Luanne Tucker

From Mrs. Eddy

The Morning Meal

What a contrast between our Lord’s last supper and his last spiritual breakfast with his disciples in the bright morning hours at the joyful meeting on the shore of the Galilean Sea! His gloom had passed into glory, and his disciples’ grief into repentance, — hearts chastened and pride rebuked. Convinced of the fruitlessness of their toil in the dark and wakened by their Master’s voice, they changed their methods, turned away from material things, and cast their net on the right side. Discerning Christ, Truth, anew on the shore of time, they were enabled to rise somewhat from mortal sensuousness, or the burial of mind in matter, into newness of life as Spirit.

This spiritual meeting with our Lord in the dawn of a new light is the morning meal which Christian Scientists commemorate. (S&H 34-35)

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“Children, Have Ye Any Meat?”

Excerpt from Sermon given October 25, 1885,
in Mary Baker Eddy’s Six Days of Revelation, page 183

“Then saith Jesus unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.” (John xxi:5) The scene with which our text is connected opens on the shore of the sea of Tiberius, the sea of Galilee. The night was dark, the clouds hung loweringly over the dark abyss of waters, the silence was profound; nought was heard but the startled call of the lone night-bird among the boughs along the outskirts of the pebbly shore. The silence is broken by approaching footsteps, and we behold seven men with sad, dejected countenances, seven disappointed, mistaken men walking slowly to the dull, dark shore. They have with them the paraphernalia for a fishing voyage, and there lies the old leaky boat so long unused; but they enter it again, fasten their light to the bow, hang their net to the stern, and launch into the dark depths of waters. They go backward and forward in the darkness, even as Job said of his experience, “I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him.” The disciples toiled all night but caught nothing.

They whom Jesus called away from their nets are now ensnared in them. The teachings of Jesus that had made them fishers of men are cast aside. The allurements of the world have won them into by-paths. They had promised to Christ more than they had given; hence their present loss. The disciples must have realized this in their vain toil and remembered how great a thing it was to be made fishers of men, able to draw all men after them, to heal the sick and reform the sinner; and comparing this great gift with the fallen sense of getting gain where there was only loss, they turned their boat toward the shore. It was the darkest hour before the dawn.

This high resolve saved them. The Christ had not departed from them, but they had left him, and lost him because they would not watch and work in the hour of his crucifixion.

In the days of his prosperity they followed him afar off, and forsook him when they lost the hope that he would restore the kingdom of the Jews. Lessoned by their afflictions, they would now retrace these false footsteps with this preparation of heart.

At this moment of self-surrender and consecration, they hear from over the dark wave the loving call of their Lord asking, “Children, have ye any meat?” They answered him, “No.” And he said, “Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.” But this was the point to be gained to know which was the right side: was it a material or a spiritual life that they should seek and strive to attain more devoutly than they had done? Here, man’s extremity was God’s opportunity, and the students of Jesus chose for the first time without a single consideration of self, the right side, the spiritual side, and now they could trust the loving Father to crown their labors with rich reward. This was the same as saying, “We are now convinced of our folly and will return and follow Christ nearer and more faithfully than we have done.” So the impulsive Peter leaped into the cold wave, not attempting this time to walk over when his Master was not by his side to help him, but he was willing to beat the wave, and swim for the shore to work, watch and pray until he himself had risen so as to behold the risen Christ, and gain a higher sense of Truth and Love. This could now be done when he sought Truth, not for the loaves and fishes, but for Truth’s sake, and willing to bear that cross before receiving its crown. Thus prepared for a blessing, he found it, and lo, the barley loaf and him on the shore.

Christ, the Truth of Life, always gives us enough to begin with when we are ready to serve Him. We shall know the Truth when we are ready to receive it, and then the Truth shall make us free. Now they were made willing in the day of his power to work with small support, they would now begin with one fish and one loaf to work who once had baskets full left of their supplies. They could sup with the Saviour with humbler terms than they would once.

This last lesson that Jesus taught his students was the most advanced, and this was that lesson: repentance, humility, self-consecration. This was our Lord’s last supper with his students, and it commanded a higher experience than the feast of the passover to remind his people of the passage of the Israelites out of the Egyptian bondage. It was his last human act that showed the divine love for men in a higher sense. It was the disciples’ first and last spiritual supper with their great Teacher. This supper with their Lord was the perpetual passover; it pointed the way to everlasting victories, the final destruction of sin, sickness, death, victories spiritually made through that which held no fellowship with material modes, the crucifixion of the flesh, and the faith that cometh by works, the demonstration of the divine Principle that governs man in the order of Science.

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History Corner

Lent — What is that?

March 1st is the beginning of Lent, the Christian observance of the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. For many Christians, Lent is a time for prayer, penance, repentance, almsgiving, and self-denial. It is supposedly based on events in the life of Jesus Christ.

According to the canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert before the beginning of his public ministry, during which he endured temptation by Satan. Ash Wednesday commemorates the beginning of this 40-day period of prayer and fasting. The number 40 in the Bible has a special meaning. Mentioned 146 times in Scripture, the number 40 generally symbolizes a period of testing, trial, or probation. During Moses’ life he lived forty years in Egypt, and forty years in the desert, before God selected him to lead his people out of slavery. Moses was also on Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights, on two separate occasions (Exodus 24:18, 34:1-28), receiving God’s laws. He also sent spies, for forty days, to investigate the land God promised the Israelites as an inheritance (Numbers 13:25, 14:34).

The prophet Jonah powerfully warned ancient Nineveh, for forty days, that its destruction would come because of its many sins. The prophet Ezekiel laid on His right side for 40 days to symbolize Judah’s sins (Ezekiel 4:6). Elijah went 40 days without food or water at Mount Horeb. Jesus was tempted by the devil, not just three times, but many times during the 40 days and nights he fasted just before his ministry began. He also appeared to his disciples for 40 days after his resurrection from the dead.

Modern-day Christians turn to fasting, or giving up certain types of luxury during this time, as if to please a stern father figure; while many Roman Catholic and some Protestant churches clear their pulpit of candles, flowers, and other devotional offerings, and cover crucifixes and other religious icons in violet colors, as if Jesus is about to die again.

According to tradition, the German word Lent originally meant, simply, the spring season. Since the Anglo-Saxon period, it has been used as the translation of the Latin term quadragesima, meaning the “fortieth day.” This, in turn, imitated the Greek name for Lent, tessarakoste (fortieth), and that word was chosen by analogy to Pentecost (pentekoste), meaning “fiftieth day.” Pentecost originally referred to a traditional Jewish festival, and later, came to refer to the Christian celebration of the descent of the Holy Spirit 50 days after Easter. In Spanish it is “Cuaresma.”

The date of Ash Wednesday (when Catholics put ashes on their foreheads), and thus the start of Lent, depends on the date of Easter, which varies from year to year. In the coming years, the churches intend to fix the date of Easter so it will remain the same every year for most countries.

And to Christian Scientists?

Mrs. Eddy and her teachings make no mention of Lent. In fact, she prohibited people from sending her Easter greetings and left instructions that no special services were to be held in our churches, as she felt it promoted a love of personality. It is important to note that she was talking about her own personality here, as people would send her gifts, for they appreciated her so much. Our Church Manual is very clear on this point.

Mrs. Eddy mentions in Miscellaneous Writings, page 180: “I love the Easter Service, it speaks to me of Life, not death,” implying that Easter is not forbidden, as in some puritan churches, but telling us that looking to any human personality will not satisfy our greater sense of good. Easter for us is a reminder of our daily studies — we don’t need a yearly event to remind us of the power of Science (Spirit) in our lives.

In our liturgical cycle, the Christian Science Bible Lesson subjects are not the same every year on Easter, as Easter moves between March and April. However, it is normal for the Lessons which occur on Easter Sunday to focus on this special time by narrating Bible passages, with their scriptural interpretation from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy.

So Easter is not forbidden for us, but is a time to separate the man Jesus from his message, the Christ. Daily we are to demonstrate the Christ in our lives, whether at Lent, or Easter, or any other day. Christian Science is not tied up into yearly cycles of ritual. It teaches us about the here and now, which always “was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be” as the doxology declares. So while Lent may be important to remind people about the man Jesus, it reminds the Christian Scientist about the Christ, never absent from us. It is this Christ which frees us and resurrects us from any false sense of things.

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Miscellany, p. 155

Beloved Brethren: — May this glad Easter morn find the members of this dear church having a pure peace, a fresh joy, a clear vision of heaven here, — heaven within us, — and an awakened sense of the risen Christ. May long lines of light span the horizon of their hope and brighten their faith with a dawn that knows no twilight and no night. May those who discourse music to-day, sing as the angels heaven’s symphonies that come to earth.

Sketch by Art Anker

“Easter Day,” said I, “should be observed
With reverent thanks for life renewed.”
At church I heard the holy Word
And sang glad hymns of gratitude,
Then meditated on love too great
For lips to speak or words to say.
“It is good,” said I, “to glorify
The Master thus on Easter Day.”

But when the day had turned to night,
Somehow I felt an unnamed gloom.
I tossed and turned and strangely yearned
To learn the lesson of a tomb—
An empty tomb, within whose walls
The crucified no longer lay.
What holy prayer was uttered there
To bring about an Easter Day?

There Life shone through the dark of death
And its false promise of relief;
The wonder of that faultless love
That would not yield to hate or grief!
Ah, well indeed that men should raise
Their hymns of gladness and should pray;
But, oh, my heart, have you had part
With Truth and known Christ’s Easter Day?

Rise from your self-made sepulchre
And know the glory of Spirit’s might.
From every grave Love’s power can save
And bring mankind into the light.
And, oh, what peace unspeakable
The resurrection will convey!
In that glad morn of joy newborn
Walk forth with Christ on Easter Day.

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From Early Workers

Christian Science Journal, May 1905

In the Saviour’s company, “Mary stood.” Mary had no sense of self. A blessing had been given her so rich that her only thoughts were those of gratitude and service. Greater than governor or king, was he to whom she brought her choicest gift. To Mary, overflowing with the flood-tides of gratitude, it was joy unspeakable to be allowed to stand in his presence. She was not coveting a position of dignity and honor. Heaven’s call comes not to the worldly great, but to those who rejoice to stand in the presence of God’s anointed.

Mary’s life was a psalm of gratitude. In her gift of the alabaster box of ointment, gratitude’s gracious offering is portrayed. At the cross, in the hour of adversity, we behold gratitude’s devotion. At the empty tomb, seeing with clear vision the risen Christ, gratitude’s reward is revealed.

Gratitude’s offering is the gift of self. It makes no reservations, but pours forth all. It measures not its service in wages. It is paid in the privilege of serving. Gratitude’s devotion is the spontaneous expression of the heart’s deep love. Success does not increase, nor failure lessen it. In adversity it grows stronger, and in the darkest hour it shines most bright. Gratitude’s reward comes unsought. It is the new birth; it is the discovery of the risen Christ by the pure in heart; it is the abiding presence of the Life which is Love. The angelic song is again heard, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

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Current Articles

In the Bible, in the book of Deuteronomy, it states, “Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; and thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”

So many people come to Science with great needs. Those needs are fulfilled, whether it is health, or financial problems, emotional problems, or relationship problems. After a wonderful healing, perhaps they find it easy to become complacent and begin to drift away from God. The Bible warns that there is always a falling away first, perhaps the demands of your job, of your family, or other ways that pull you away. Somehow your love and gratitude for God grows weak, and if you don’t catch it, you may find yourself back in the same condition where you were in the first place, or even worse.

It is so important that we always remember what God has done for us, how He has brought us out of the land of Egypt, out of bondage; and to remember that it was not our doing, but God’s doing that brought healing about.

One thing that is helpful in deciding what way to take, or what would be the best thing to do, is to ask yourself, “Will this bring me closer to God, or take me farther away from Him?” If you are going to get into any kind of relationship, ask, “Will this bring me closer to God?” Will a new job or a new home bring me closer to God or take me farther from Him?”

Whatever the event coming up might be, it is a good test to ask yourself that question. Then if it does bring you closer to God, and you have a feeling of peace, you can rejoice; it is God’s plan for you. But if you find it draws you away from God and His people, then beware. I am grateful for the sound instruction we receive here. It is not always all sweet and nice, sometimes it can be tough; but in that toughness there is power, strength, and great safety.

As you seek the things of Spirit, Spirit will bless everything in your experience. Your home, your business, your relationships, all things in your human experience will become better, because on a more spiritual basis, and moreover they will be safer, because they will be found in Soul.

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I used to think of healing as a way to be freed from pain or problems. But through the study of Christian Science, I’ve learned that healing is not about seeking a comfortable outcome, but rather, it’s to learn more of God and feel closer to Him. It brings greater strength to be able to stand firm in Truth, and greater confidence to trust in God’s power, no matter how challenging a struggle becomes or how long it seems to linger.

I used to become frustrated and discouraged when a problem seemed to reappear, because I would always wonder how long it would take for me to finally be healed of it. What I hadn’t realized is that a recurring problem can be a great blessing, giving me the very opportunity I need to prove that I have overcome my fear, so therefore it has no power over me.

For example, when faced with a financial problem, I’ve learned to stand in the truth that God is the inexhaustible source of my provision. And when met with a physical problem, I am now able to continue to affirm my spirituality and perfection as a reflection of God. By practicing this way, I’ve found that my fear has diminished until it’s finally disappeared, and healing results.

Mrs. Eddy’s Watching Point 217 states, “Watch, lest you seek to sweep and garnish your mental home because you desire to eliminate from it all that is offensive, rather than to make it meet for the Christ to come in.” Working to purify thought to be better able to hear God’s voice, that’s true healing!

Have confidence in your declaration of Truth. Rest in the assurance of Truth’s certain triumph. Through active reliance, put all responsibility upon God. He is capable of taking care of the whole business.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Ps. 119:105) But the number of those who are antagonistic and skeptical toward the Bible have almost doubled in just the last six years. There is a growing lack of knowledge of the Bible among Christians and non-Christians who have no exposure to the Bible at all. We can be grateful for the still large numbers who see the Bible as a moral guide, yet Jesus said: “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures.” “The message God gives is the most blessed, powerful, and effective of anything in the universe. His message instantly frees, heals, and uplifts mankind.” (“Church,” by Bicknell Young)

Animal magnetism cannot extinguish the word of God, nor can we be made to believe lies that argue that the Bible is just another book written by man, full of ancient stories, harmful or dangerous. We cannot be made indifferent or disengaged from this source of wisdom and all good. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John) Mind being Omnipotent, there is nothing to oppose it. Let us know that the world is ready for Science and Health, which will open the Bible and bring forth the spiritual sense of the scriptures, the Science of Life.

“The Word of God is a powerful preacher, and it is not too spiritual to be practical, nor too transcendental to be heard and understood.” (Mess. 1901)

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There is a statement in Science and Health that reads, “Final deliverance from error, whereby we rejoice in immortality, boundless freedom, and sinless sense, is not reached through paths of flowers.” It made me very grateful for a lesson I learned soon after joining this church, and that is, there is no easy way to grow.

As a child I attended Boston-affiliated Sunday Schools. By the time I came to Plainfield as a young adult, I was firmly convinced that the sole purpose of Christian Science was to enable us to live a life without problems; a path of flowers. I remember having some very wonderful healings after I got here — healings of health, of relationships, financial, mental — a lot of wonderful healings. I knew that I had found the right practice of Christian Science when I found this church and a practitioner in this church. However, in the back of my mind there was a nagging concern as to why I was having these problems in the first place. What was wrong with me that I was having all these problems? I did not think this was the way Christian Science was supposed to be.

I was relieved of that misconception by a practitioner in this church who taught me that it is not the purpose of Christian Science to make our lives problem-free. The purpose of Christian Science is to destroy the belief in sin and disease for mankind, and through our prayers we are to help ourselves and others to be what God made us, to be perfect, as God is. If we have problems, those are stepping stones in our spiritual growth. In fact, it is impossible to grow spiritually without having problems to face, facing them head on, and growing.

Facing and overcoming problems each day is not something to be avoided. I soon found that whenever I took a strong stand against something that was wrong, I would always meet resistance. The devil does not want to be destroyed.

Once this revelation sank in, it made a wonderful difference in my life. I no longer condemn myself or get angry when I face problems. In fact, there came a period where I actually looked forward to problems because it meant I was going to grow closer to God and feel His love even more.

I thank God for the help of our practitioners and that particular practitioner. I am also grateful to Mrs. Eddy for faithfully giving us this clear and complete explanation of what life is really about.

We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.

At a recent Roundtable discussion, one of the topics was the difference between personality and individuality. This helped me to understand the drastic difference between the way I was, and the way I am now.

From a very young age I was told that I was introverted, bad at talking to people, and unable to be happy. These supposed personality traits haunted me for many years, and during that time I lived up to them very well. I tried to tailor my personal and professional life to these traits; and, not surprisingly, I never had many friends, I never spoke much, and I was miserable.

After coming to Plainfield, things began to change. It became very clear that these imposed limitations had no true bearing on who I really was, and definitely did not define what God created me to be — my God-given individuality. Over time, with practitioner support, I have been able to see through the nonsense and finally start getting a glimpse of my real individuality.

God’s idea is not afraid to be around people, nor is he unable to communicate. He is filled with love, joy, and a desire to do good. Christian Science has shown me that this is true of me, because it is true of God. How can I, as God’s reflection, be different than He is?

I am so grateful to be free, or at least in the process of becoming free of the lies and limitations of personality — and to be learning that was never true about me at all!

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Christ Jesus warns, “Watch and pray” (Matt 26:41), and Mrs. Eddy cautions us to “Stand porter at the door of thought.” (S&H, p. 392) What an eye-opener to know that we have control of our thoughts and can learn to discipline our thinking!

We do this by accepting and claiming the Mind of Christ, as our true mind. We do our best to obey God’s laws, and exercise the dominion God has given each of us to overcome wrong thinking.

When we learn that God is only good, we also must know that no wrong thought can come from a loving Father-Mother. Instead of accepting negative thoughts or ignoring them we must rather ask, “Is this thought from God?” The answer should be simple because no wrong thought has its origin in God, good, and must be rejected instantly.

In Romans 12:2 we read, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Paul’s caution here tells us how important it is to renew our thinking, citing the impact of our thoughts on our lives.

In the past, not knowing what to do with wrong thoughts made me either ignore or entertain them. The accumulation of such thoughts convinced me they were my thoughts and were real. This consistent wrong thinking resulted in constant anxiety and sadness. When physical challenges appeared, I found past experiences, some physical reason, or the weather to blame. What I have learned and continue to practice through Christian Science, is to watch my thinking, challenge and discard any wrong thoughts, and replace them with the truth about my true being as a reflection of God, therefore spiritual, and immune to the false suggestions of sickness and disease that come.

It makes perfect sense that in Science and Health, on page 425, we read: “Consciousness constructs a better body when faith in matter has been conquered. Correct material belief by spiritual understanding, and Spirit will form you anew.”

The same wrong thoughts come to all of us, everywhere, and pretty constantly. But thanks to Christian Science, no one needs to remain under their false suggestions or their supposed power. We can have God reign in our hearts and thoughts! Mrs. Eddy lovingly gives us our protection, to “Allow nothing but His likeness to abide in your thought.” (S&H p. 495)

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Right thinking is equipped with power from on High, to compass the destruction of all wrong thinking, and the one who would do the will of God learns to begin humbly and patiently the readjustment of his own thought processes.

We can all learn to think rightly. We are thinking something all the time, either truth or error, harmony or discord. Christian Science teaches us to know God. We can think of Him; and when we think rightly, we reflect Him in consciousness, and harmony is established and will be externalized in health and happiness.

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How I Found Plainfield Church, and How It Has Changed My Life

Karen from Kansas

My family and I came to New York City from Germany in 1954. We had difficulty coming over here. My mother wrote a letter to Mamie Eisenhower, the wife of President Dwight Eisenhower, explaining our situation. It wasn’t long before we were called to the Munich Consulate again, and mother saw the letter she had written to Mamie Eisenhower on the consul’s desk. That day, we were processed unbelievably fast.

When we arrived in New York, we had no money. My uncle took us to the Bronx where we rented a basement apartment, and I was enrolled in a high school of 3,000 girls. Mom and dad worked in factories. From the beginning, I missed my friends, the woods and the hills. I cried myself to sleep every night. Finally, mother gave me a book which she carried in her suitcase. It was Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy. One side was in German; the other in English. I started reading in German, and almost devoured the pages.

I was already interested in religion. In school we had two hours of religion every week. When I found in Science and Health that the kingdom of God was within us, I was hooked. It reminded me of Germany when I walked a mile from home and lay down under the trees through which the wind gently blew. It was a moment of utter contentment and peace. I could feel that God was everywhere.

Mother had received the book in Germany, where ladies met in houses and studied the book together. That was after Mrs. Eddy told one of her students to bring Christian Science to Germany.

We lived in New York for six months. My brother managed to get his driver’s license and bought a used Buick. We headed West with no particular destination in mind. After passing several states, we came to Wichita, Kansas. It was April, and there were so many trees in Wichita, it looked like a big park. So we decided to stay. We rented a small duplex and my parents found jobs. My brother started work in a big department store there.

My school was a block away and I could walk there. I was enrolled in the eighth grade middle school. The school was beautiful, and I loved it. Christian Science had lifted me out of the blues.

After I finished middle school, my family found a bigger apartment in the Northwest part of the city. North High School was beautiful, and by a river. I started high school, and a girlfriend found out that I was a Christian Scientist and invited me to enroll in their Sunday School in the First Church of Christ, Scientist. In school I developed a fainting spell whenever I had my period. I called a Christian Science practitioner, who worked for me; and I never suffered from this problem again.

I became a school teacher, and eventually got married and raised a family. I still loved Christian Science but was not really practicing it anymore, and had many difficulties.

Three years ago, I was sitting outside in the evening, sitting by the swimming pool and praying to God to make my life useful again. After two or more weeks, my husband and I went to Manhattan, Kansas, to see his cousin, who was celebrating her 98th birthday. There, I met a lady who had the Plainfield Lesson Sermon Quarterly in front of her. She gave me a copy of “Love is the Liberator,” and the phone number of a Christian Science practitioner. I called her, and this is why I am here. I love our church and all that I am learning here. My problems are being healed. Thank God for answering my prayer.

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Science in Action

“Teach Them to Thy Children”

from C. H. in Pennsylvania

On January 28, at the Bible Study on Love, much of the session dealt with the reminder from Moses to keep the laws that had been given to them, and to teach them to the children. This made me think of my young grandson who is listening to truths about God that are spoken in his presence during our morning time together.

The other day I made a mistake with an important letter I had just mailed at the post office. I realized upon returning home that I had neglected to include a sheet of paper. My little grandson noticed that I was upset and said to me, “Don’t worry, Nona, God is good and God is fast!” And with that we put on our coats and went quickly back to the post office, where they kindly retrieved my letter and handed me scissors and scotch tape. It all went smoothly and I kept repeating quietly, “God is good, and God is fast!”

I’m so grateful for all I’m learning from the classes in Plainfield, and for how receptive the little ones are.

Storm Moved Harmlessly Away

from C. C. in New Jersey

A few weeks ago there was a strong storm here in New Jersey, a nor’easter, complete with very heavy rain and high winds. I was due to fly into Newark Airport that night. I asked for help from a practitioner here in Plainfield, and she said to remember that the plane is in my thinking, and I am not in the plane — and that God holds the wind in his fists.

As we approached Newark, the pilot announced that there were strong winds and we might have a bumpy landing. I also worked with something I remember reading that Mrs. Eddy said to her students about stormy weather — “the face of God is there, and I can see it.” I knew that the only thing we could see was the face of God, not threatening storm clouds.

The landing was normal and perfectly comfortable. The rain had almost stopped, and there was just a light breeze. As we were leaving the plane, I overheard the pilot talking to someone, and he said, “As we were coming in, the storm was moving out right in front of us. I’ve never seen anything like it in all my life!”

Nothing but the hand of God could have done this! I am so grateful to God for this clear proof of His protection, and for the powerful prayers of the practitioner.

Painful Arm Healed

from F. M. in Maryland

Last week I experienced an unpleasant pain in my left arm after doing a rather usual task, and at first felt somewhat disturbed. I stopped using it as much as I could for a while. But then I realized I needed to do more. Mrs. Eddy tells us in Science and Health that “Mind is the source of all movement, and there is no inertia to retard or check its perpetual and harmonious action.”

The next day my arm was somewhat better, but I persisted in this truth, in order to counter the fearful, negative thoughts that were coming, that I was never going to be able to use it as much again. But I persisted in knowing the truth. And after a couple more days the pain completely vanished, and I realized that my arm was as strong as ever.

I am very grateful always to God, to Jesus Christ, and to Mrs. Eddy for giving us this wonderful Science.

Irritation and Allergies

from L. S. in Pennsylvania

I am very grateful for practitioner support here at Plainfield. Continual work with my practitioner has been reforming and blessing all areas of my life by giving me a new and clearer understanding of God and Christian Science.

On a walk the other day I noticed I was able to smell a lovely flowering bush from a distance, which is something I wasn’t able to do for a long time. I also found that I could walk up a hill with ease and freedom of breath. While being grateful for this, it occurred to me that this year was the second spring since beginning work with this practitioner that I did not suffer from the severe allergy symptoms that would cause suffering and restrict many of my activities for weeks.

During this time of prayerful support, the practitioner was helping me replace reactions such as fear, irritation, criticism, and impulsiveness with the understanding of the love and principle of God. This brought into my thought more joy, deeper gratitude, calm, honesty, and courage. The more I learn, the more grateful I am for this Science and for Mary Baker Eddy, who sacrificed so much to give it to the world.

Mobility Restored

from E. S. in Georgia

I am grateful for a healing I had a number of years ago. I have always enjoyed being active — playing sports, running, and biking. At some point I noticed a pain in my right hip; and while I found it annoying at first, it soon got worse so that it was almost impossible to walk or run without pain. I became fearful that I might have to live with this condition.

I finally decided to pray diligently for myself. I worked with the citation in Science and Health, “A spiritual idea has not a single element of error, and this truth removes properly whatever is offensive.” I also prayed to understand that all action comes from God and that nothing could invade my being.

I remember one day I went to take a walk/jog and was frustrated — I didn’t seem to be making any physical progress. But there was a point that I stood my ground and refused to give in to the suggestion that mortal mind could make a law for me. I became so convinced that God was governing my every movement that immediately this pain just left and I began to run (not walk) with complete mobility. It was such an immediate release, and it never returned.

I am very grateful to be learning in Plainfield Church that nothing can stand before the power of God!

Shoulder Pain Quickly Healed

from J. D. in Arizona

Recently, I was awake off and on during the night with pain in my shoulder. In the morning I called and told the practitioner of my difficulty in sleeping. She immediately reminded me of my rightful place, and suggested that I place my thoughts on God.

After hanging up the phone, I started reviewing the synonyms for God. I had not completed the seven synonyms, and realized the pain had nearly disappeared. A number of times the pain tried to show itself, and I met each attack with a loud, verbal “NO!”

When the shoulder was feeling normal, I called the practitioner to tell her of this rapid healing.

I am most grateful for this rapid change from discomfort to one of comfort.

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Painting by Luanne Tucker

Miscellany, p. 177-178

“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church;” but succeeding years show in livid lines that the great Shepherd has nurtured and nourished this church as a fatling of the flock. To-day the glory of His presence rests upon it, the joy of many generations awaits it, and this prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled among you: “I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.”

Your Bible and your textbook, pastor and ethical tenets, do not mislead the seeker after Truth. These unpretentious preachers cloud not the spiritual meaning of Holy Writ by material interpretations, nor lose the invincible process and purity of Christianity whereby the sick are healed and sinners saved. The Science of Christianity is not generally understood, but it hastens hourly to this end. This Science is the essence of religion, distilled in the laboratory of infinite Love and prepared for all peoples.

On April 15, 1891, the Christian Science textbook lay on a table in a burning building. A Christian Scientist entered the house through a window and snatched this book from the flames. Instantly the table sank a charred mass. The covers of the book were burned up, but not one word in the book was effaced. If the world were in ashes, the contents of “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” would remain immortal.

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Letters of Gratitude

Please send me some of your literature. Our society has dwindled down to 5 members and we need helpful articles on pure Christian Science.

So happy to have spent New Years Day at Plainfield. Can not think of a better way to start the new year. As we were turning onto Prospect Avenue my husband said, “Look, there it is”!!! He was referring to the Plainfield Christian Science Church, Independent. There it was looking so regal, showing its strength, power and love to the community and the world. It is really a beautiful site.

Very grateful to have been with you all. Many thanks for your tireless dedication in bringing forth Mrs. Eddy’s pure Christian Science.

Your church has answered, and enlightened me to continue on my path of Truth and Love. Thank you!

The books and literature that were given me have been a joy and enlightenment to read. What a knowledge to live by.

Thank you again for your assistance in my journey for Truth, Life, and Love.

I wish to thank you for the lovely website which I came across online and the readings and the Roundtable discussions.

I am very grateful because I feel like I really understood the concept of Soul for the first time, and every word spoken just touched me in a much deeper way.

Thank you all and lots of love.

Thank you so much for all the work done for Independent Christian Science in the Plainfield Church.

I love that we can get together on the teleconference line for the Bible Studies, Roundtables, Unity Watches and give readings and testimonies for the services.

This church has been such a life-line to me over the years that I have been a member.

I am so grateful to be a member.

Plainfield Church — what a blessing! I can’t put into words to express enough gratitude for the work being done — the articles on the website and the audio on YouTube.

Thanks to all.

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Retrospection and Introspection, pages 87-88

Experience has taught me that the rules of Christian Science can be far more thoroughly and readily acquired by regularly settled and systematic workers, than by unsettled and spasmodic efforts. Genuine Christian Scientists are, or should be, the most systematic and law-abiding people on earth, because their religion demands implicit adherence to fixed rules, in the orderly demonstration thereof. Let some of these rules be here stated.

First: Christian Scientists are to “heal the sick” as the Master commanded.

In so doing they must follow the divine order as prescribed by Jesus, — never, in any way, to trespass upon the rights of their neighbors, but to obey the celestial injunction, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”

In this orderly, scientific dispensation healers become a law unto themselves. They feel their own burdens less, and can therefore bear the weight of others’ burdens, since it is only through the lens of their unselfishness that the sunshine of Truth beams with such efficacy as to dissolve error.

It is already understood that Christian Scientists will not receive a patient who is under the care of a regular physician, until he has done with the case and different aid is sought. The same courtesy should be observed in the professional intercourse of Christian Science healers with one another.

Second: Another command of the Christ, his prime command, was that his followers should “raise the dead.” He lifted his own body from the sepulchre. In him, Truth called the physical man from the tomb to health, and the so-called dead forthwith emerged into a higher manifestation of Life.

The spiritual significance of this command, “Raise the dead,” most concerns mankind. It implies such an elevation of the understanding as will enable thought to apprehend the living beauty of Love, its practicality, its divine energies, its health-giving and life-bestowing qualities, — yea, its power to demonstrate immortality. This end Jesus achieved, both by example and precept.

Third: This leads inevitably to a consideration of another part of Christian Science work, — a part which concerns us intimately, — preaching the gospel.

This evangelistic duty should not be so warped as to signify that we must or may go, uninvited, to work in other vineyards than our own. One would, or should, blush to enter unasked another’s pulpit, and preach without the consent of the stated occupant of that pulpit. The Lord’s command means this, that we should adopt the spirit of the Saviour’s ministry, and abide in such a spiritual attitude as will draw men unto us. Itinerancy should not be allowed to clip the wings of divine Science. Mind demonstrates omnipresence and omnipotence, but Mind revolves on a spiritual axis, and its power is displayed and its presence felt in eternal stillness and immovable Love. The divine potency of this spiritual mode of Mind, and the hindrance opposed to it by material motion, is proven beyond a doubt in the practice of Mind-healing.

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“Publish the Word”

Broadcast the Truth

“Freely ye have received, freely give”