About the cover:

From In Defense of Mary Baker Eddy, and the Remnant of Her Seed, by Paul R. Smillie:

In the Christian Science Sentinel of September 6, 1913 on page ten, Archibald McLellan stated three most important points about the cover of the Sentinel and a minor change made at that time on its cover. Speaking of this change he said, “Beyond this there can be neither desire nor occasion for change in the Sentinel, because,” he said, “Mrs. Eddy’s instructions forbid any change.” He explained this by saying, “Mrs. Eddy likewise gave instructions.” The word “instructions” is most important. Speaking then of the two women, the lamps and the inscriptions beneath them, he said they had been “preserved as expressive of our Leader’s thought. ...” Mrs. Eddy requested that the cover of the Sentinel be light blue in color.”

“Christ and Christmas”

Introduction

Judge Hanna

The pictures are the object of the references on pages 115-116 of Science and Health. Blackest in each picture is First Degree — Depravity (lines 21-24). Gray is Second Degree — Evil beliefs disappearing (lines 26-27). White is Third Degree — Understanding (lines 2-3, 4-10).

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STAR OF BETHLEHEM

“O’er the grim night of chaos shone

One lone, brave star.”

Judge Hanna writes: First Picture: Black, gross materiality, error, unreality. The Star of Bethlehem, the Christ idea, Truth appearing to the world to destroy error.

Irving Tomlinson writes: The star of Bethlehem is the dominating feature of “Christ and Christmas.” The star is effulgent in nine of the illustrations; its absence from two of the others is of the utmost significance.

In the study of this first illustration, Mrs. Eddy’s words shine out: “The star of Bethlehem is the light of all ages; is the light of Love, . . . divine Science” (Misc. Wr. 320:27). Here we see that the only light, and all the light, is from the star. Without this star of Bethlehem — without the revelation of Mary Baker Eddy — there is nothing but chaos; nothing but darkness without one ray of light. All spiritual understanding, all true healing of sickness and sin, all true consciousness, all Science of being, is found in the light of the star of Bethlehem.

Our Leader also says: “The star of Bethlehem is the star of Boston” (Misc. Wr. 320:23). Why Boston? Because Boston is headquarters for Christian Science; is the home of The Mother Church and of The Christian Science Publishing Society. From this shines forth the light that is healing the world. To all those reflecting the light comes the promise of Christ Jesus: “He that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And I will give him the morning star.” (Rev. 2:26, 28).

THE OBJECT LESSONS

The star, divine Science

Grim night

Chaos

The light of divine Science dispelling the darkness of error.

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CHRIST HEALING

“The Way in Science He appoints,

That stills all strife.”

Judge Hanna writes: Second Picture. Dead in First Degree. Note ugly coffin. Black robe on Jesus’ shoulders represents cross. Note woman near Jesus in gray, in prayer. Note man, black Pharasaical belief, showing astonishment. Note woman in coffin, eyes opening, showing spiritual discernment.

Irving Tomlinson writes: What is the first manifestation of this light from the star? What does it do? According to Mrs. Eddy, this light shines forth, as pictured in the illustration called “Christ Healing.” We see that woman is the first to receive and be healed by the light of Truth. (This was Mary Baker Eddy’s experience.) Christ Jesus has a dark robe over his shoulders, symbolic of his birth in the flesh through the Virgin Mary. At the foot of the coffin we see woman welcoming Truth. As Mary Baker Eddy’s revelation of divine Science (“ Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures”) is free from any taint of fleshliness, the woman has no darkened robes. Woman is the first to understand and to welcome the Science of being. The poor mortal in the background with hand uplifted in protest of the Christ healing, stands for mortals’ vain antagonism to the Christ healing revealed through Mary Baker Eddy. But the light shines on:

“O’er the grim night of chaos shone

One lone, brave star.”

A beautiful prophecy, is it not? It fulfills the Scriptures of the Old and the New Testaments. Jesus said: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live” (John 5:25). And Isaiah prophesied: “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined” (Isa. 9:2).

THE OBJECT LESSONS

The star

The Christ

The resurrection: the dead awakened

The woman roused: appreciation manifest

The striver stilled

The dark robe on man

No dark robe on woman

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SEEKING AND FINDING

“Through understanding, dearly sought,

With fierce heart-beats;”

Judge Hanna writes: Third Picture. Quill of pen touched by divine light. Candle is half burned, showing Mrs. Eddy’s life was half spent when she discovered Christian Science. Clock time is behind her. The First Degree, animated serpent, would bite the heel of Truth. Divine light coming through window (must have an opening).

Irving Tomlinson writes: The Science of being must be sought and found, as we see in this illustration. The poem tells the story:

“What the Beloved knew and taught,

Science repeats,

Through understanding, dearly sought,

With fierce heart-beats;”

The symbols before us are a woman seated at a table, with open Bible; the star of Bethlehem shining through the skylight, falling full upon the woman and the open Bible on the table; a clock at the midnight hour; a candle almost burned out; and behind the woman a serpent.

The revelation of the Bible is plain to the woman through the light of Truth. The window pane is less opaque, showing that the light comes through a receptive thought. The candle stands for old theology, flickering out. The Bible is in the full light of Science. The serpent (animal magnetism) (S&H 594:4) is in the dark; in the light there is no serpent. When one abides in the light of Truth he is never harmed by animal magnetism. In the light of woman’s revelation the serpent is harmless. The clock points to Revelation 12:5, — the “man child,” — Christian Science breaks the belief of time. Time is behind the woman. Time (“mortal measurements”) (S&H 595:17) is put behind the seeker of the light of being.

As with the woman, so with us, Truth must be sought earnestly and persistently. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33).

THE OBJECT LESSONS

The star (Misc. Wr. 320:23-30)

The seeker: mother love

The open Bible

The candle, almost out; human doctrines

The clock: midnight labors

The serpent in darkness (S&H 594:1)

The pen and ink: the written Word

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CHRISTMAS EVE

“Make merriment on Christmas eves,

O’er babe and crib.”

Judge Hanna writes: Fourth Picture. Where is the Star? The tree is grotesque. Artist did not want to paint this picture. No beauty in Christmas tree which exists only to celebrate the birth and death of the human Jesus; and this belief is responsible for human birth, manhood, womanhood, old age, invalidism, distress.

Irving Tomlinson writes: This illustration is in contrast to the next one, “Christmas Morn.” It shows a Christmas tree, many infants, many aged and crippled, and invalids in wheel-chairs, all in a false state of consciousness. There is no star light. The tree is filled with dolls and sweetmeats: the Christ is dishonored by a material sense of merriment, getting rather than giving. Does the birth of the Christ take place here? The verse of the poem tells the story:

“...earthly Eves,

By Adam bid.

Make merriment on Christmas eves,

O’er babe and crib.”

THE OBJECT LESSONS

No star; artificial light

The aged; crippled; many little children

Toy gifts: “earthly Eves ...... make merriment.”

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CHRISTMAS MORN

“What can rehearse the glorious worth

Of his high morn?”

Judge Hanna writes: Fifth Picture. One Shepherd and one fold — twelve sheep. Two figures blending into one represents spiritual individualism. Note male strength is watching female at prayer — “Watch and Pray.” River represents Euphrates Prophecy of the Mother Church is in the background in light gray. Note black steeple — First degree R.C. thought.

Irving Tomlinson writes: This illustration foretells the time when Christian Science shall cover the earth. In contrast with Christmas Eve, Christmas Morn has no babes, no cribs, no aged or invalids, no crippled: no false states of consciousness. The light makes Christian Science manifest on earth. The angels (the two witnesses, Christ and Christian Science) behold the earth mantled with Christian Science. The roadway (“The Christ is . . . the Way, the Truth, and the Life” S&H 332:11-14) forms the letter “C,” while the river (Divine Science, S&H 585:16) (“the course of Truth,” S&H 593:15-16) shines forth the letter “S.” The dome in the light is prophetic of The Mother Church Extension.

THE OBJECT LESSONS

The two witnesses

The high morn:

“the glorious worth of His high morn”

The dome

Christian Science: the roadway and the river

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CHRISTIAN SCIENCE HEALING

“And aye, with grace towards you and me,

For health makes room.”

Judge Hanna writes: Sixth picture. Old belief leaving the bed — medicine is behind him. Curtains, First Degree, drawn back and light coming through brings the theological thought in the home to a state of prayer. Note picture on wall — “Breaking through the clouds,” etc. Robe represents understanding, reaches the base of bed, symbolizing her thought, reaching the foundation of sickness.

Irving Tomlinson writes: In this illustration we see the healer flooded with the light from the star. All Christian Science healing comes from the light of the star. Mrs. Eddy tells us in Science and Health: “This light is not from the sun nor from volcanic flames, but it is the revelation of Truth and of spiritual ideas.” (504:9-11). “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” (Acts 3:6). “God was made manifest in the flesh.” (I. Tim. 3:16). All true Christian Science healing is God made manifest in the flesh. Here we see the healer with eyes looking upward and with uplifted hand. The mortal-mind helper is looking down to matter. We note that materia medica has been discarded, for the medicines are behind the patient.

THE OBJECT LESSONS

The star

The healer

The healed

Materia medica discarded:

medicines back of patient

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REVEALED UNTO BABES

“Life, without birth and without end,

Emitting light.”

Judge Hanna writes: Seventh Picture. No barriers of age to Truth.

Irving Tomlinson writes: Here we see the aged one seated beside the closed Bible, with a hard grip on matter. Time (“mortal measurements”) (S&H 595:17) is behind him. The light from the star shines full on the babe with the open Science and Health, thus enabling her to see the written Word and shed light to “the wise and prudent.”

THE OBJECT LESSONS

The star

The grandfather, with his grip on matter

The little girl with open Science and Health

The closed Bible

The clock

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TREATING THE SICK

“Christ’s silent healing, heaven heard,

Crowns the pale brow.”

Judge Hanna writes: Eighth Picture. Where is the Star? Bed is grotesque. Artist objected, no art. Mrs. Eddy’s thought in painting this picture was that the bed was the biggest thing in consciousness. Note that the eyes are closed — book is closed — patient is making no effort to rise out of the condition.

Irving Tomlinson writes: This illustration is one from which the light of the star is absent. In the lap of the practitioner, the woman at the bedside, lies Science and Health, closed — not open: treating without illumination. The patient and the practitioner have no open vision, and consequently no change of consciousness takes place in the patient. The elongated bed typifies satisfaction in matter. “Truth . . . is the only basis of health.” (S&H 120:22)

THE OBJECT LESSONS

No light: Science and Health closed

The unscientific treatment

The patient asleep

“Too much bed,” as Mrs. Eddy said

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CHRISTIAN UNITY

“’Tis the same hand unfolds His power,

And writes the page.”

Judge Hanna writes: Ninth Picture. Circle represents the world. Note, Jesus has laid off the robe, showing dominion. Take Christian Science to the world and in that light, creation shows anew.

Irving Tomlinson writes: In this picture we see Christ Jesus seated, the woman standing; Christ Jesus with a robe across his lap, the woman free from darkness; Jesus’ feet are hardly visible, while the woman’s foot is wholly so. Christian Science is in the woman’s hand, and Jesus’ hand is out-stretched to approve it. The two are hand-in-hand, and the light from the star floods all.

Christ Jesus is seated, for his work is completed. The robe is symbolic of the human, to be laid aside. This figure symbolizes healing, raising the dead, etc. The halo is slight.

The woman is standing, because her mission is just beginning. Her revelation is free from any fleshly taint: it is Christian Science as given in Science and Health, The Mother Church, The Christian Science Publishing Society, the Manual. The foot is symbolic of understanding. The woman’s halo has more light: more inspiration.

“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” (John 10:16). The poem tells us: “’Tis the same hand unfolds His power, And writes the page.” God’s power is unfolded and His message given us today as it was in Palestine.

THE OBJECT LESSONS

The star

The standing woman

The seated man

The joined hands

The woman’s gift

The man’s waiting hand

The woman’s foot entire

The man’s feet hardly visible

The two halos

The man’s black robe

The woman with no robe

Man welcoming and receiving Christian Science from woman

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TRUTH versus ERROR

“Truth pleads to-night: Just take Me in!

No mass for Me!”

Judge Hanna writes; Tenth Picture. Child thought sees or perceives Truth.

Irving Tomlinson writes: This illustration pictures the realm of mortal mind; the woman at the door of mortal-mind consciousness. Through the window is seen the mortal-mind gaiety while only the children at the window welcome Christian Science. The light from the star falls on the woman who is to give true light to all the world.

This picture symbolizes Christian Science presented to human consciousness. The dancing, drinking, pleasure-seeking mortal minds are not interested. Only innocence and purity can see and welcome the Truth. “. . . away from sin Christ summons thee! . . . No mass for Me!” The Christ is to be lived now, without celebration for something past and gone. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:20)

THE OBJECT LESSONS

The star

Christian Science at the door of mortal mind

World-mindedness

The children at the window

Illustration from first edition of “Christ and Christmas,” mentioned in Mr. Tomlinson’s notes.

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THE WAY

“Eternal swells Christ’s music-tone

In heaven’s hymn.”

Judge Hanna writes: Eleventh Picture. Foreground is First Degree — following the path of light up the right way, leads beside the still waters and green pastures. The smaller cross represents demonstrations — birds represent God’s winged thoughts. Note the white dove coming from heaven with thought messages nearest the crown. The left side of the picture reaches the same destination, but the way is rugged.

Irving Tomlinson writes: The dark cross illustrated here is resistance to the Truth; the light cross typifies the awakening consciousness. The crown means freedom, joy, harmony, victory, dominion, Life eternal. In the first edition of “Christ and Christmas” Christ Jesus was pictured at the cross. Now there is no personality: demonstration over the human. The Way is the star-lighted Way, which brings only victory and spiritual dominion.

“No blight, no broken wing, no moan,

Truth’s fane can dim;

Eternal swells Christ’s music-tone

In heaven’s hymn.”

“Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” (John 11:26)

THE OBJECT LESSONS

The star light

The dark cross

The flower-decked cross

The crown

The dove (S&H 584:26)

The Pleasant View pond (Misc. Wr. 206:24-6)

Smiling is Infectious

Spike Milligan

Smiling is infectious,

I know it to be true.

When someone smiled at me today,

I started smiling too.

I walked around the corner,

And someone saw my grin.

When he smiled, I realized

I had passed it on to him.

I thought about the smile,

And then realized its worth.

A single smile like mine,

Could travel round the earth.

So if you feel a smile begin,

Don’t leave it undetected.

Let’s start an epidemic quick,

And get the world infected!

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So often we have a kind of vague, wistful longing that the promises of Jesus should be true. The only way really to enter into them is to believe them with the clutching intensity of a drowning man.

Faith is a higher faculty than reason.

At certain periods, certain modes of thought lie, as it were, in the atmosphere, and come to light in the most remote places, without any perceptible media of communication.

Why mourn above some hopeless flaw

In the stone tables of the law,

When Scripture, every day afresh,

Is traced on tablets of the flesh?

Pray because you have a Father, not because it quietens you, and give Him time to answer.

When we pray, God doesn’t give you what you want; He gives you what you need.

Leaders are visionaries with a poorly developed sense of fear and no concept of the odds against them. They make the impossible happen.

We will not be driven by fear if we remember that we are not descended from fearful men.

To educate a man is to unfit him to be a slave.

Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. No one was there.

Men who fear God face life fearlessly. Men who do not fear God end up fearing everything.

Christian Science should be the synonym of all that is respectful and courteous in everyday affairs.

I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection.

We must never despair; our situation has been compromising before, and it has changed for the better; so I trust it will again. If difficulties arise, we must put forth new exertion and proportion our efforts to the exigencies of the times.

Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.

This is courage to bear unflinchingly what heaven sends.

Were it not for my little jokes, I could not bear the burdens of this office.

Happy the man who has broken the chains which hurt the mind, and has given up worrying, once and for all.

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The Preface of Instruction in Metaphysics by Dr. Alfred E. Baker says the following:

"Many were the interesting things that I heard from Dr. Baker's lips. For instance, he related that when Mary E. Speakman was made Assistant Editor of the Christian Science Sentinel, thereafter, when the postman left the Sentinel at Mrs. Eddy's door, she invariably opened it to Miss Speakman's article and read that first of all. The one that she liked best of Miss Speakman's editorials was the one called, “I am Well” in the issue for July 10, 1902. This editorial is worth reading to show how its incisive quality appealed to Mrs. Eddy. It asks no questions of error, but obliterates its so-called affirmative with the affirmative of Truth, without quibbling or parleying."

“I Am Well.”

“S”

Christian Science Sentinel July 10, 1902

The erring material senses with their lying estimate of what is true, rebel against saying, "I am well," while still to mortal sense they are holding the field with a false, physical claim of sickness. "Well? forsooth," they argue, "Well? with aching nerves and stiffened joints and obstructed breath? Well?"

But there, just there on that Rock, Truth, while the surging billows of error threaten sure disaster, we must stand. With that declaration of the reality of harmony and the unreality of discord begins the new birth, the awaking consciousness of the dominion of Spirit, God, Life.

Lately, in trying to make and have others make this assertion despite all contradictory appearances, John 1:1, has come to me with new significance: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

In the beginning, the very beginning, we must speak the word that awakes this new consciousness, the avowal that Life is omnipotent and omnipresent and omni-active, and that man is Life's reflection. Truly, in the beginning is the word, and the word is with God, with Good, Truth, Love, Life, — and "I am well," spoken in the midst of the howling of terror and error, is spoken with omnipotence, and the word is with God. It is the "Peace, be still" of the Master. And the word is God — Immanuel, God with us. It is the utterance of the eternal fact of God's ever-presence. It proclaims the perfection of man and establishes health, harmony.

Sometimes we will get a thought or a feeling of danger, or just an unexplainable uneasiness. It’s always good to pay attention to these warnings. Mrs. Eddy addresses this in Divinity Course and General Collectanea (the “Blue Book”). She states, “Your premonitions are what will save you if you employ them. The evil always works beforehand on the minds of those in health to fear, or to believe they cannot help those it intends to slay, and if only this preparatory mental malpractice is understood, as I now trust it will be by you hereafter, it enables the individual to watch better and to have oil in his lamp, for each experience of this kind is a bridal that weds you to Life and Love everlasting.”

I received a warning recently, and I’m very grateful I listened. We had chosen to have a small wedding. On Saturday night we had a small celebratory dinner with just a handful of family, where we exchanged vows. Then on Monday the two of us went to a Justice of the Peace to check the legal box for our marriage.

On the two-hour drive on Saturday, I kept thinking about how odd it would be if we were to be seriously injured in a car crash on the drive to our wedding celebration. My husband can be a very aggressive driver, and I confess it wasn’t the first time I’d felt the need to pray when he was behind the wheel.

On the way home after the dinner, I drove the first leg of the trip. That same thought came to me again. As I drove, I firmly prayed that our loving God would not have brought us together only to have us be in an accident.

We had agreed to split the drive; and about halfway home, I pulled into a gas station on a major interstate highway to switch drivers. I prayed again, knowing that we were firmly in our Mother’s loving care at all times. I wasn’t concerned about having an accident, since the prayers made the thought of an accident seem absurd. I recalled a statement from Miscellany, “The Principle of all power is God, and God is Love. Whatever brings into human thought or action an element opposed to Love, is never requisite, never a necessity, and is not sanctioned by the law of God, the law of Love.” I started to nap lightly, knowing that the Law of Love meant that nothing could ever happen that could harm us or any of God’s children.

A few minutes later, my husband tapped me on the arm and said “watch this!” I sat up and noticed him looking in his rear view mirror, and then a car came speeding past us, going well over 100 mph and smashing numerous times along the center divider on the interstate. My husband came to a complete stop in the middle of the highway, and we watched as that car spun across all the lanes, and back again, finally coming to a complete stop sideways, no more than a foot from the front of our car. I looked directly into the car and the driver looked right back at me in complete shock, but clearly unharmed. His car was totaled.

We then noticed that all the traffic on the interstate had come to a stop and that no harm had come to any other cars or drivers. I am confident that my premonition that evening and the resulting specific prayer not only protected us, but also that driver and all the other people on the interstate.

How grateful we can be for the wonderful history we have from Christianity to Christian Science, and for the faithful ones who left a record to guide us.

I had a matriarch in my family before I came here, my grandmother. One day she took me aside and read to me the Beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 through 7). I realize now that the Beatitudes are Christian Science. Jesus said, “take no thought for your life … but seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” I am learning more and more that if you are doing your best to serve God and do His work, that is seeking the kingdom of God. You will have fruits, and you will bless others. This church is blessing through its website and many broadcasts. I am part of some of that, and whenever I have a need, it is taken care of.

Recently I got a big bill, a big energy bill, that I did not expect. Since I’m retired, I’m careful about how I spend money. I showed the bill to my 19-year-old son and asked that he be careful about how he uses lights and electricity, and he said that he would. We have been doing right, and I knew God would take care of things. I remembered something Mary Baker Eddy wrote in Miscellaneous Writings, “God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for tomorrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment.”

The very next week, I got a check for about the same amount as the earlier bill. Immediately, I said, “Wow, thank you God.” I showed it to my son and said, “See what God has done!” and he recognized it. God was definitely meeting our need. That is Christian Science. God knows our need. He has it. He provides it. Thank God for Mary Baker Eddy, who made so many things so clear. I’m so glad I can have peace in the care of God.

I am grateful to be learning not to be so attached to having things done my way. This has often caused friction in my home. I often felt like I had to do everything myself and, of course, this led to feeling resentful.

A practitioner from the Plainfield Church mentioned this to me some time ago, and I took this to heart. I began to work on this, and also worked to see my husband correctly, the way God made him, and to see the “beautiful, good, and pure” in him and others. Another thing the practitioner mentioned was to listen to what my husband was trying to say, and to speak to him in a kind and respectful way.

I also worked to catch myself when he would want to do something differently from the way I would do it and realize that it doesn’t matter how it (whatever “it” is at the moment) is done — for example, loading and running the dishwasher. This helped me to not over-react to things and to let him help me more.

Now, at this point, I still have a way to go; but isn’t it interesting how it looks like my husband has started to change? As I am more understanding when I need to speak up about something, he is more willing to work things out.

And on a side note, the other week when I had a dental procedure coming up the next day, I was feeling a bit nervous. As I was getting ready for bed, I noticed the nervousness just left. The next morning he told me he had prayed for me. To me, this is a really big deal!

I am very grateful for Mary Baker Eddy’s pure Christian Science as taught and practiced in the Plainfield Christian Science Church, Independent and for the help of my practitioner.

The following article was written by a young woman who grew up in a Communist country and was greatly inspired by reading Herbert Eustace’s article “Gratitude.”

Gratitude does wonders. It’s an important element in healing and granting our deepest desires. It brings about the one thing all people seek — happiness. The latter, they say is a state of mind. Gratitude unlocks the door to this state.

It is tempting to take the good that was already given to us by God for granted. It is easy not to contemplate it and mentally imbue it with value. One could say that by the time many of us enter adulthood, this thanklessness becomes our default modus operandi. The good things already in our possession lump together into a faceless, nameless clump that is “sort of” perceivable, but, really, as far as the human mind is concerned, does not exist. Our loved ones, health, shelter, the God-given ability to breathe, walk, create, love — even the fragrant breath of the Autumn breeze — the gifts already in our possession dangle in a limbo, a vacuum, unnoticed and unappreciated.

With this overlooked clump in the background, what has usurped the foreground? It is our giant, endless wants and needs, constantly contemplated by our exhausted minds.

The most overlooked and yet grandest gift in possession of any human on Earth is the gift of life. It precedes all other gifts and is an absolute prerequisite of anything else in the world — certainly of all material things, no matter how grand they may seem. Even the fulfillment of our wildest dream would mean absolutely nothing without it. If so, why do we often spend so much energy thinking of (and wishing for) something that cannot even exist outside the gift of life, while barely acknowledging this very gift, that is already in our possession? It is akin to fixating on a doorknob while ignoring the entire palace that had been gifted to us, without which no doorknob would carry any meaning as it would have no door to attach to (and the door would have no room to open to).

Could it be that God is generous with those who dwell in a permanently active state of gratitude? Perhaps He bestows His gifts upon those who recognize how generously they have already been lavished with blessings?

Of course, like with most things in life, there is no need to take things to the extreme — to obsessively count our blessings, make lists (and checking them twice) of great things in life — just a good old spiritual hygiene of daily gratitude would do. When you are feeling down, think about the good in your life, and thank God for it. And when you are feeling good, again, be thankful for it. Eventually, with a lot of mindful discipline, gratitude will become an effortless practice — and you will find yourself feeling down less and less. In place of negative feelings, you will find a far steadier, more “reliable” feeling of general satisfaction, ever increasing inner harmony.

If you regularly acknowledge the good in your life and weed out mental complaining, life becomes life. Count your blessings. And never cease the gardening work in your spiritual (mental) garden — weed out the negative, water and fertilize the positive.

Don’t we pray for gifts, wants, needs, and blessings, so they would make us happy? What is the purpose of having a townhouse in central London or meeting “the love of your life” if not for the feeling of happiness these things would supposedly give us? Well, each of us is already in possession of many great things — some of them are even specifically the wants and needs of the past that became fulfilled! That means we are already happy. We are already happy — all of us! What a simple, yet profound revelation! Let us repeat it, “ I am already happy!”

It is not happiness that might be missing from our lives, but the realization that it has been here all along. Therefore, whenever we call to God with an “asking” (as opposed to “thanksgiving”) prayer, much like we ask Him to help us see ourselves the way He sees us, perfect (especially in physical and “medical” regard), we could ask Him to help us recognize our own happiness.

In conclusion, let us paraphrase an old Russian saying, “Want to be a happy? Be happy.” “Want to be happy? Be grateful!”

Recently I was again reading the story in Genesis chapter 32, where Jacob wrestled with the angel at Peniel. It tells how the angel “touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.” I was always puzzled by this, until after researching, I discovered that the “hollow” of the thigh is where it meets the hip joint, and is the seat of the sciatic nerve.

Many years ago, I had a very severe case of sciatica, and resorted to an operation — mainly because I wasn’t ready or willing to learn the spiritual lesson that I needed. That lesson was, to give up human will and all sense of a mind apart from God. The operation stopped the pain, but the lesson was never learned, and needless to say, cropped up in later years as another severe physical problem.

Jacob’s needed lesson was a similar one. He had to release the human will and his mortal sense of a selfhood apart from God. Mrs. Eddy defines “Jacob” as “a corporeal belief; the offspring of error; envy; hatred; selfishness; self-will; lust.” ( S&H) These are the false beliefs that needed to be healed, and it wasn’t until his thigh — or false belief — was thrown out of joint, that he became “as a prince” that had “power with God and with men.”

I am so grateful for these deep lessons that the Bible has for us, — that often it takes a mighty wrestling to overcome some of our long-cherished, false beliefs. But if we keep at it and don’t give up, we will succeed!

I remember when I first discovered Christian Science and moved to Plainfield, Mrs. Doris Evans was the teacher. One of the things she emphasized a lot, more than anything else, was demonstration. Everything needed to be demonstrated. Actually, before coming to Plainfield, I barely knew what it meant to demonstrate from the standpoint of Truth. Here I am, learning that demonstration is significant in my growth and my understanding of Christian Science. Every day provides the opportunity to demonstrate what we are being taught. Failure to demonstrate hinders one's progress and ability to succeed in many things. We must let our light shine. And it starts by putting God first, which was my most important lesson.

A couple of years ago, I wanted to look for another job opportunity. I thought I had prayed about it and that it was the right thing and the right time. I sent in my application and resume to a few agencies I was interested in. They offered me interviews, but at the end they never materialized. Then the thought came to me, strong and loud, saying, demonstration, demonstration, demonstration. I prayed to understand what that meant, and the answer was simple, to put God first. Then I realized how foolish I had been through self-will and not recognizing the omnipotence of God. As the Psalmist said “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” The same can be applied to job search. From that moment on, I put everything into God's hands and let Him lead the way.

I stopped searching for a job, because in truth there is nothing to search for anymore, for God has already provided. The job has always been there; all I needed was to acknowledge God, and everything else would manifest itself. Soon after this demonstration, I got a phone call from a company I had applied to a while ago. I had forgotten about them. They told me they reviewed my application and decided that I was the right candidate for the position. They asked me to come in for an interview. This time, the interview was different. I knew immediately that I got the job, and I did. This demonstration is another reminder that when we put God first everything becomes so easy, even the most difficult problems are resolved quickly.

If you are looking for a job or something of great importance to you, I want you to stop looking for a moment and turn your focus and thoughts to God — for there is nothing lost to be looked for. All there is to every human need is our understanding of God. When you find God, you have found your way and you will search no more. Be it a job, healing, happiness, when you find God, all these things will come to fruition, for God the Omnipotent reigns in this place, now and forever.

I was commenting to a friend the other day about how I now understood why I wasn’t demonstrating Christian Science before finding the Plainfield Church. The answer had to do with Science and Health and Prose Works. Both of us agreed that we had never read any of the books through, from beginning to end, although for many decades we had read many pages and passages through the study of our weekly Lessons.

The question came, how could we properly live and demonstrate Christian Science if we had not read the textbooks upon which our religion was established. It was like clipping the flower in the garden for its beauty and not recognizing the importance of the bush that produced the flower.

I started to see what had happened over the years. When I attended Sunday School, we used the textbooks in connection with a study of the weekly Lesson. I grew up going to the Lesson for healing thoughts. I actually marked the citations of my weekly Lesson in the textbooks and most of the time read more than the “designated” citations, when I opened the books. Then, the church started offering the Bible Lessons with all of the citations already printed, so that we, who were so busy with life, could get our Lesson. So, we came to a point where the textbooks were no longer needed. The printed version replaced them. I also noticed how at one time, I could go to a local bookstore and find Science and Health and other related books on the shelves, and then the time came when I found it hard to find the books because I guess there no longer was a demand for them.

When I started working with a practitioner from Plainfield, I was made aware of the importance of reading the textbooks. My practitioner instructed me to read them from beginning to end; and when I finished, to read them from beginning to end again, and then again for the rest of my life. Each reading would bring a greater spiritual understanding to demonstrate this Science.

It is important to be obedient to what is righteous and I am now into my textbooks, reading as much as I can each day, having started from the beginning pages. I am finding so much inspiration and healing truths to apply in my life. Here at Plainfield, I use the printed Lesson Sermon available for us, but I feel this is okay for me because it is used in the correct way. It is only the start of my study and not for the sake of convenience. It leads me to my textbooks to read more and search for greater understanding, plus the reading of my Lesson is always accompanied by my daily reading of my textbooks, page by page.

Thank you, Plainfield practitioners, for leading and guiding us in the way we need to walk to demonstrate Christian Science.

Before coming to Plainfield, I often had difficulty with people, and they seemed to have difficulty with me. I've been thinking about this today, because after all this time with the church and having regular practitioner support, I find that, as a rule, the people I encounter are happy and competent.

As an example, a man came to my house yesterday to install a new internet service, and he was so pleasant and good at his job. We talked for a little bit, and he asked what I do, and I let him know about this church. He then said, “Oh, that's why you're such a nice guy!”

It made me laugh, and I definitely have to give credit to Christian Science. I spoke to my practitioner about this today, and she said that what usually comes into our experience is dependent on our thought, although on occasion someone difficult may come along who is in need of a blessing.

It occurred to me later in the day that I was transformed by Christian Science from that difficult one who comes for a blessing, to someone who is capable of being a blessing to others. I am so grateful to be here learning this practical, life-changing Science, and to be able to be a part of this mission.

One of the most important things we can learn in Christian Science is to listen to God. God is speaking to us all the time, but how well do we hear what he is telling us?

When I first came to Plainfield, I thought I was a pretty good listener. I was good at listening to my teachers, my co-workers, and my family members, but I wasn’t that good at listening to God. I found that unless I am listening carefully for what God is saying, I can’t really count on doing anything right. As I grew in Science, that became a very insecure feeling, and I found that when I wasn’t listening for God, I was making mistakes. I was doing things incorrectly, doing the wrong thing at the wrong time; and it was becoming more and more painful. I am grateful that a Christian Science practitioner in this church was willing to help me learn to listen for God.

There is a statement in the Bible that has meant quite a bit to me in this regard. In Zechariah 2:13, it says “Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord.” One of the things it means to me is, don’t entertain the physical senses. For example, don’t sit around listening to music, don’t spend a lot of time watching television, don’t talk too much. I had to learn to stop being enamored by the sound of my own voice, but to stay quiet and peaceful and open my heart, because that is how we hear God. Mrs. Eddy writes in our textbook that “Spirit, God, is heard when the senses are silent.” ( S&H p. 89) I had to learn to silence the senses, and, as I did this, I found I was doing things better; I had a better idea of what needed to be done, a better idea of how to do things, and learned how to do them at the right time. I also find now that I have better and quicker healings; and with all that, I have a better, stronger sense of God’s presence. That is the greatest sense of peace and security anyone could ever have.

Once more the season is near which should remind us that we are the sheep and Christ is our Shepherd. Sheep signifies innocence; inoffensiveness; those who follow their leader. ( S&H, p.594) And Psalm 23:1 so beautifully makes this clear: “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” That loving statement helps us to realize what a glorious, harmonious inheritance we have!

Christ owns all the good we can ever need. That is why we never panic when there appears to be lack of any kind. Knowing ourselves as manifestations of Mind gives us the only certainty of our wellbeing. Only the Christ idea possesses everything good — heath, wealth, joy, love, right purpose. It is our oneness with Christ that vanquishes all the false senses of lack and anything discordant.

From our textbook, Science and Health, page 242, we read, “There is but one way to heaven, harmony, and Christ in divine Science shows us this way. It is to know no other reality — to have no other consciousness of life — than good, God and His reflection, and to rise superior to the so-called pain and pleasure of the senses.”

The beautiful sense of the Shepherd’s tender care for his sheep; how he takes each one in the evening and examines it to remove anything harmful, cares for any wounds and lovingly puts each to rest, demonstrates how we are cared for if we humbly walk with Christ, our Shepherd. The Christ, Truth, searches and reveals all the errors that disturb us and will replace them with the truths that give us calm and peace.

Yes, an ever-present Shepherd, our Christ, directs, protects, and unfolds all good for us. We learn through Christian Science that the only thing that gives the certainty of all things good is the radical, consistent reliance on the Truth of our Shepherd forever near (God with us).

Our Shepherd’s everlasting fullness assures our completeness; that we should never lack. Hymn 224, reads in part:

When all material streams are dried;

Thy fullness is the same;

May I with this be satisfied

And glory in Thy name!

Let us all be confident and be so grateful for this unchanging Truth, and know it is true also for all our brothers and sisters everywhere.

In Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, where he was reminding them of how God had taken care of them and met their every need, he said, “Out of weakness were made strong.” (Heb. 11:34) God even provided the strength they needed!

It is so important for us, too, to realize that fundamental fact, that in weakness we become strong. In weakness we reach out to God for help, whereas before we were weak, we would not have done that. In reaching out to the Father, we become infused with an inner strength, and that is the only thing that ever makes us strong.

I am so grateful for the statement in Romans 8:11 that says, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

It is wonderful to realize that the very Spirit that dwells in Christ dwells in me — dwells in all of us! Isn’t that amazing? we have this strengthening connection with the Christ. The Spirit that raised him from the dead, it’s the Spirit that accomplished all the healing that he did. It is the Spirit that has always been with us. It's Spirit with a capital S, the Spirit which is God.

To just know that, and to appreciate it, and to cultivate it, and to think that the works that Jesus did we can do as well, because He said that — greater works shall ye do.

I looked up the word ‘quicken.’ It means to make alive, to revive, to cheer, to refresh by new supplies of comfort and grace. How beautiful is that? This is what that Spirit is doing for us every day. It’s making us alive, more awake, alert, happier, cheerful, reviving us and refreshing us by new supplies of comfort and grace every day. The Spirit of God dwelling within us does this for us. There’s a beautiful hymn, Hymn No. 166. It says,

Think what spirit dwells within thee;

Think what Father’s smiles are thine;

Think what Jesus did to win thee;

Child of heaven, can’st thou repine?

Think what Spirit dwells within you, within all of us!

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Letters of Gratitude

The following is from a letter sent from a woman in Africa to a friend telling her about Plainfield Church.

I admire their love for our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, and also for the early workers. They are doing round the clock watches for the U.S. elections. There is a dynamism about this church. The light shines there. They do their services online, so one Sunday, there is a Reader perhaps from California, on a Wednesday, a Reader from another state. Their outreach is amazing, with their website translated into many languages, some very unusual languages.

I love their magazine, “Love Is the Liberator.” They have kept the same cover design which Mrs. Eddy designed and wanted us to keep. I love the articles by the early workers: William McKenzie, Bicknell Young, Rathvon, Louis Knight Wheatley, Gilbert Carpenter. Then there is an article about “unauthorized literature.” And we both love Paul Smillie as we both see our Leader as the Woman in Revelation. Such lovely articles by the early workers, some of which are not found in Journals and Sentinels. They print speeches by George Washington and other American heroes. They really believe in upholding the U.S. Constitution. Here is the website for the Plainfield Church and its beautiful website: plainfieldcs.com.

At times, at the beginning of the week, the thought comes to me that the particular Lesson doesn’t speak to me and I will get nothing out of it, but this only causes me to laugh, because I know that this is impossible. When were the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, ever void of meaning? And, as I persist in reading my Lesson during those times, the texts do start speaking to me.

I bring up my gratitude for the Lessons, because they start my day from God’s perspective. Each week, I am able to share the Lesson with my mother, when I travel to my sister’s home to help care for her. I know my reading to her, blesses her, me, and the household. And it does. I leave at night, to return home and there is such a presence of peace, harmony, love, wellbeing, that I know God’s work has been accomplished. And that is my purpose for the day.

Thank you, Plainfield, for our inspiring Lessons each week, I love the Lesson format provided here, and am so grateful for our textbooks and the beautiful, inspired readings during our services.

I am most grateful for what I am learning by your kind outreach of Bible Studies and Roundtables, besides the services and meetings being broadcast by Plainfield. I loved the sung version of the 91st Psalm recently, and it was also good to be reminded about the “church built by the children,” which I have not read for a long time, thank you.

I want to say how appreciative I am of the work each and every one at Plainfield Christian Science Church, Independent is doing. With each week I am gaining a better understanding of the application of the Science of Being. The commitment to publishing the real teachings of Christian Science is extraordinary and is bringing a much-needed healing to many years of dismay.

Thank you so much for today’s (10/4/20) Roundtable with its vital information — explaining why the Constitution of the United States of America is so important to protect this church’s mission and the liberty of all! Thank you for all the instruction and inspiration; the healing testimony shared was much appreciated, as well as all the practical guidelines to keep one alert. The Sunday Service was beautiful from beginning to end, complete with the joy of hearing Faith and Peter sing “The Reality of Things.” Many thanks to all!

Thank you so much for the ongoing Bible Studies every other Saturday. Thank you, Mike, for the questions for the 9/26 study, and for all that everyone shared. I didn’t know very much about the Bible at all, until I came to this church.

I thank this church for waking me up to the realization of who Mary Baker Eddy is in Bible prophecy. For me, this was the missing piece of information that prompted me to accept Christian Science and see how the Bible gives her writings spiritual authority.

Paul Smillie’s book “Mary Baker Eddy The Prophectic and Historic Perspective” is a hidden gem and has been eye opening to me. A paragraph that stood out is, “The large majority of Christian Scientists do not understand Mrs. Eddy’s place in Bible prophecy and therefore Mrs. Eddy’s words and works do not carry the authority, importance, and impact to their thinking as they should. Very few Scientists have searched the Scriptures to find their Leader. Without a recognition of Mrs. Eddy’s place in Bible prophecy, they will not obediently follow her as Discoverer, Founder, and Leader of this Science.”

As a long-term Christian Scientist, my wife and I were always free as Christians, no organization. I found the Plainfield Church on the web, and I have read and translated dozens of articles from your website into German. Perhaps I can also help you a little with that.

Best regards to all of you, full of gratitude for your great work.

I am filled with thanks and gratitude for all of the healing truths and treatments given during the Roundtable this morning, September 27, 2020. It is wonderful to always receive support from fellow church members during our Roundtable discussions, Bible studies and church services. God’s angel messages always flow through these activities.

Finding the story of Jonah, in the belly of the whale is a highlight of the Lesson for November 1, 2020. This is a story taught to my children so long ago. My heart smiled with immense gratitude for Plainfield Christian Science Church for their continuing work to bring the good news to all. “A light set on a hill” beckoning all to come home. The joy and gratitude for this Lesson is beyond measure. To know that we can never be outside the presence of God, even if one finds themselves in the belly of a whale, that we can never be devoured, even though in the moment it may seem to be.

I am very grateful for my practitioner who walks alongside showing the way, lifting, and encouraging. For all the work that pours forth non-stop from the members of the church in preparing online materials for all to study, to listen to and pray with. Always fresh, always filled with Truth and Love. And yes, I sing with joyous gratitude for the work of Mary Baker Eddy and the early workers hearing the call to duty, committed with incredible diligence, to reach, and to bring forth the Christ, Truth, Christian Science. I stand in awe and devotion.

I opened the book Sermons and Articles on Christian Science by Doris White Evans and read the article entitled “The Early Days.” Mrs. Evans said, “Today Science and Health is here, it is ours. God has given it to us. The only hope the devil has, is that we won’t read it. Or if we do, go over it in such a superficial manner that we fail to see the tremendous truths that are stated therein, that have for over a hundred years healed the sick, raised the dead, brought prosperity and blessing to mankind, and will continue to do this great good forever.”

I thank God each day for His books of instructions. I thank God for finding my home in this Plainfield Christian Science Church, Independent, where the most important textbooks in my life have a place of honor and respect.

I’m very grateful for God’s unlimited resources, one of which is our church website and YouTube channel. During prayer, I was led to the verse, “From sense to Soul my pathway lies before me.” On our website I was able to listen to this hymn being sung during a church service on our YouTube channel. So wonderful to be able to print the words of this hymn and listen to it so I can study and sing it throughout my day.

With much love.

Thank you for the beautiful service and all the organ music on September 20, 2020. “Amazing Grace” is a favorite and it was a very uplifting performance. Also, thank you for the Roundtable on gratitude and praise, and a better understanding of the Bible lesson on Ahab and Jezebel. I looked up the wonderful quote from Miscellany, page 195, that was shared at the meeting — so thankful for the inspiration: “We must resign with good grace what we are denied, and press on with what we are, for we cannot do more than we are nor understand what is not ripening in us. To do good to all because we love all, and to use in God’s service the one talent that we all have, is our only means of adding to that talent and the best way to silence a deep discontent with our shortcomings.”

Thanks again for all the services you provide to attune us to the kingdom of heaven, that is right here and right now in every moment, if we choose to embrace it in Love.

Thank you to all the Plainfield family for all you do to keep the light of Christian Science burning bright. I have sent many to your website. (Yay Jeremy) and I am there daily.

Your sacrifices and love are so appreciated.

My wife read to me the October 9, 2020, daily calendar statement: “Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens. — Jimi Hendrix.” I had never heard or seen this quote before and was really touched by it and understood what was being said. The author was a rock guitarist from the 60’s. I would never have attributed this quote to him and really feel this came to him from God. Thank you for sharing this.

My gratitude for all the contributors who give testimony by word and loving contribution to the Plainfield Christian Science Church, Independent and its manifold outreach. There is always good food for thought in the Saturday Bible Study, Sunday Round Robbins, Wednesday night testimonial meetings, and the wonderful regular support from my Plainfield practitioner. I really appreciate the emphasis given to “Thy will be done.” I am now more mindful to include that as part of my prayer thoughts.

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Testimonies of Healing

Nebraska

I’m calling from Nebraska, but I’m originally from South America. The first time I encountered the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, I was in an American college, and somebody gave me Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. I grew up in a very Catholic home. One day my American friend gave me this book, and I started reading it. I was 19, and I’m 66 now.

I read the book and I received healing, and I got scared. My mother told me that I need to get rid of this book. But I kept the book for many years. Every time I was in a difficult situation, I would go to the book, but I was still scared.

When I moved to the United States, I joined a Christian Science church in Charlotte, North Carolina. I brought the book with me, and that was almost 20 years ago. I had a lot of demonstrations. Recently I found Plainfield Christian Science Church, Independent. Since then I’ve been studying and listening, together with my fiancee, a University of Nebraska professor. This has been a long journey.

I am grateful to Mary Baker Eddy, to Christ Jesus, and to the Plainfield Christian Science Church for the tremendous work you guys are doing. I have two children and a brother. We are all Christian Scientists, and we are from South America. I’m so grateful for this book and Mary Baker Eddy, the woman in the Apocalypse. Everything is true.

Thank you for the meeting tonight. I’m still learning. Thank you for the Roundtable. I’ve been sending the Roundtable to my friends in Costa Rica, Panama and Venezuela. I love the Bible lessons and the comments by Florence and Mary. I don’t know them, but my friends and I have been enjoying their comments. Thank you so much, and thank you for opportunity.

from N. S. in New Jersey

Last week I woke up in the middle of the night with extreme pain in my chest and upper back which made it very difficult for me to breathe. I sat up and started declaring that God was my life, and the very breath of my life. I also began repeating the Scientific Statement of Being. As I was praying, a testimony given that evening about working with the command statements in Science and Health came to my thought. I was so grateful for this, as I knew this was an angel thought from God, given to me to use at that time.

I called my practitioner in the morning for prayerful support. As I explained my situation, I was met with such calm loving compassion, and strong assurance of the truth of my being. I was instructed to work with, and abide in, the 91st Psalm and also Hymn # 144. “In atmosphere of Love divine, we live, and move, and breathe.” I was also asked to call back in a little while when I was feeling better. I loved this, as my practitioner’s strong expectation that I would be feeling better quickly was very reassuring to me.

Almost immediately after speaking with my practitioner, a sense of peace and calm came over me. Little by little the pain began to lessen, and my breathing became a little easier. After about two hours I was able to call my practitioner back with great gratitude, to tell of the wonderful progress that was already being made, although I was not totally free of this condition. I was told with great conviction that this lie would be completely lifted from me, and to keep working with the command statements in Science and Health found on pages 390 to 393.

As I worked with the following statements, “Banish the belief that you can possibly entertain a single intruding pain which cannot be ruled out by the might of mind,” and “Suffer no claim of sin or of sickness to grow upon the thought,” I could feel a change taking place within me. I was able to sleep comfortably that night, and woke up the next morning completely free from all pain, able to breathe deeply and normally.

I am filled with joy and gratitude to God for this very quick and very beautiful demonstration of the healing power of Christian Science. I am deeply grateful to my practitioner, whose strong, healing support, quickly lifted me up and out of what seemed at the time a very fearful situation. I am very grateful to Mrs. Eddy, Christ Jesus, and so grateful for the priceless instructions and teaching we receive here at the Plainfield Church.

from D. W. in Virginia

I’m very grateful to be learning in this independent church to pray scientifically, to strive to see things in their correct light. The other day I went to work on my computer, and after starting it up, suddenly everything went dark. No matter what I did, there was no response, even my backup system was not functioning. I thought I would have to take it to a computer technician, but then I remembered what a practitioner in this church said about seeing our possessions as spiritual ideas, not material. Well, if this computer was an idea that was God-given, then it must be harmonious and function properly.

I picked up a copy of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mrs. Eddy, and randomly opened to the chapter on Christian Science Practice (page 362). It begins with this verse from Psalms:

Why art thou cast down, O my soul [sense]?

And why art thou disquieted within me?

Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him,

Who is the health of my countenance and my God.

I spent some time reading and drinking in the truths of God’s allness. When I went back to the computer, all was well — everything functioned perfectly. I’m so grateful that here in this church we learn to be calm, determine what is happening, and make sure that God is in the middle of it.

from S. W. in New Jersey

Recently I was cooking and burned my arm. Immediately I declared that there are no accidents in divine Mind and there is no spot where God is not. Everything was fine. But about five minutes later, my arm started hurting. The pain was horrendous. I started laughing. I asked myself if my arm could talk, and of course it can’t. I knew then it was mortal mind, and mortal mind is a liar. The pain stopped quickly, and the problem was healed.

I am very grateful that I learned in this church that, when a problem comes, either laugh, cry or get mad. This breaks the mesmerism and the problem can be healed.

Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health, “You say, ‘Toil fatigues me.’ But what is this me? Is it muscle or mind? Which is tired and so speaks? Without mind, could the muscles be tired? Do the muscles talk, or do you talk for them? Matter is non-intelligent. Mortal mind does the false talking, and that which affirms weariness, made that weariness.”

Thank God for Mary Baker Eddy, practitioner help, and for what I am learning in the Plainfield Church.

from L. L. in Ohio

I am very grateful for several healings that I have had recently.

I was experiencing pain near my ear with swollen glands. Knowing that I am a perfect reflection of God, this claim was a lie about my true spiritual self. My practitioner said that every organ is a spiritual idea and that “A spiritual idea has not a single element of error.” (S&H page 463) I am grateful for this truth and the healing that occurred.

Another healing was of an ankle injury, where I was experiencing pain. That too was healed where I can walk with no problem, just as God intended.

I’m so grateful to this church, God, Christian Science, and to my dedicated, loving practitioner who is always there for me.

from K. D. in California

Two weeks ago, I needed to be in Arcadia, California, for a period of time, taking care of my mother and three dogs, while my sister and her husband were out of town. The Bobcat fire started just before they left, and it filled the sky with ash and heavy smoke. Each day I started my morning by reading the weekly Lesson to my mother, and then articles I had printed from the Plainfield website, to raise our thoughts upwards to God and feel His calm and harmonious presence.

My practitioner reminded me of the importance of using common sense with regards to our safety and told me of something Mrs. Eddy said in the Blue Book, page 78: “There is no life in fire.” Working with this, I knew that no harm could come to us; that we were under God’s care and would be instructed by Him. And we were. The “still small voice” instructed me twice over the next four days to prepare to evacuate. On the fifth day, when I saw several fires coming down the mountain from my sister’s driveway, the situation turned from an evacuation warning to a mandatory evacuation, and the Fire Department gave us ten minutes to get out. I was able to pack my car, and then work quickly with a friend of the family to load things from the house into his pickup truck. I look back on the experience and am so grateful to have witnessed the presence of that “still small voice” in the midst of chaos.

The fires did stop, and my sister’s house, as well as other homes in the area, were safely preserved.

My continuing gratitude goes out to Plainfield Church, where Christian Science is demonstrated. Thank you for all the inspiring articles posted on the carousel and for the Plainfield practitioners, who keep watch over all of us.

from D. A. in Virginia

I was hurrying into my car the other day and jammed by thumbnail into the steering wheel. Pain shot up and I immediately said, “there are no accidents in divine Mind!” I did look at the nail and it didn’t look good, but I looked away and got on with my errands.

I drove again yesterday and remembered the hurt nail, which I had totally forgotten; but as I looked, it was completely normal and the pain had ceased the moment I declared the truth. This was a little thing but a wonderful reminder that we have always been in God’s loving care.

from C. H. in New Jersey

A few weeks ago I asked for practitioner help because my ear was hurting. It wasn’t an earache, but a pain right inside my ear. This discomfort vanished, but then I noticed it tried to return.

I remembered many months ago I came across a sheet of paper titled “Reversal” written by Mrs. Evans in 1989. At the top of the sheet is a sentence from Herbert Eustace that says, “There is only ONE law of reversal, God’s law, the law that by virtue of its own infinite goodness, is the spontaneous destruction or reversal of everything unlike good.” I held to that truth, and the discomfort left quickly.

It is good to realize that “there is no power that can reverse the unfoldment of Truth,” also found on the sheet I mentioned.

I am very grateful for the prayers and tools taught here at Plainfield Church that not only protect us and everyone, but restore and comfort and bring progress to our spiritual growth.

from K. M. in California

Last Friday night standing up after dinner I felt a great deal of pain in my hips. I knew I could not go to sleep while believing that this pain was going on in the body or in my hips.

With the support of my practitioner and all that is available on the church’s website, I have been learning how to turn from the body and seek God or Truth as my only comfort. I know now that when a lie tries to assert itself, it is nothing but animal magnetism, or the suggestion of a power or presence apart from God.

Mary Baker Eddy says in Science and Health on page 395, “It is mental quackery to make disease a reality — to hold it as something seen and felt — and then to attempt its cure through Mind.” I had to clear my thinking and hold to the truth, the right idea about which this was a lie. I also have been working with a statement from Dorothy Rieke’s article “The Truth About Body” where she says, “All of our troubles come from worrying, fretting, and stewing about the physical nobody, which we are not, instead of appreciating the spiritual somebody which we really are. Let us refuse — absolutely refuse — to be mortal, material, physical nobodies.” I rejoiced that I was now and always have been a spiritual, perfect somebody in the kingdom of heaven!

I felt slightly better the next morning, but I knew I had to keep rejecting all temptations to believe that what I was feeling had any reality. As I did, I could feel the pain and discomfort start to lessen. Within an hour or so as I continued to move about the house doing what I needed to do, I felt freer and freer until by lunch time all pain and stiffness was gone.

I am so grateful to be learning to have more faith in Truth, without letting fear, doubt or discouragement get in the way. I am so grateful to be a part of Plainfield’s worldwide membership.

from D. F. in Florida

I have been a Christian Science most of my life, and I have had and seen many wonderful healings.

One in particular was the healing my father had of the last stages of cancer. He was a school teacher and was given medical leave because of his condition. The school doctor had examined him, sent him home and felt he had no chance of recovering.

He had worked with a few practitioners and also went up to a Christian Science nursing home in Boston known as the BA. It was not until he called a practitioner in this church, Mrs. Evans, and came back home at her request, that the healing started.

She would visit him almost every night and sometimes brought in meals. He had been totally bed ridden and was so weak he could not walk. Within a few weeks he began to show progress and was able to get out of bed. I will never forget the day he was able to walk down the stairs. Within no time, he was back to work. The school doctor could not believe it, and actually attested to the fact that it was Christian Science, and nothing else, that healed my father. Christian Science the way it was and is taught in this church does heal. I’m grateful to be a member here.

from S. W. in New Jersey

I recently found an article in “Love is the Liberator,” November 2017 issue, called “Live in the Present,” by Mary Beth Singleterry, which can also be found on our church website. It said, “There is a lot of temptation to be thinking about the past, either longing for it or thinking how terrible it was and ruminating over it — whether it happened a year ago or many years ago. The other temptation is to be worried about the future.”

This reminded me, with the holidays coming up, that we have been taught to handle the holidays. That means not to review the past or worry about the future, but to see each day as God’s holy day. Be grateful for every event of the day and send love to all mankind. By doing this we are not tempted to become depressed or anxious but, as hymn number 139 says, we will “walk with Love along the way, and O, it is a holy day.” This is living in the present.

Announcements

When Plainfield Church first became independent, we were asked, “How will you survive? What will you read?” As you can see below, through the grace of God, we have survived very well, thank you — and flourished!

We began by writing our own Bible Lessons, and then Independent Christian Scientists from all over the world began sending us writings by early Christian Science workers that were not available anywhere else. And we grew from there — and continue to grow.

Lectures on Christian Science,
by Peter V. Ross

And, our church book store is growing! We have just published a book of Lectures on Christian Science given by Peter V. Ross. This version is accurate and true to the original, just as Mr. Ross first published it. These lectures are wonderfully inspiring, and cover a variety of subjects. His wonderful “plain talking” reaches people at every level, encouraging and healing. This book is available in paperback version from Plainfield Church for $18.00, postage included.

Our Website

Our church website, plainfieldcs.com, has a wealth of inspiring and healing items to read and listen to, including recordings of past services, Bible Studies, and Roundtable discussions.

You will also find a treasure trove of articles and other literature by early workers in Christian Science, including Bicknell Young, Martha Wilcox, Herbert W. Eustace, and many others. There are also audio recordings of many of these articles and books. Audio recordings of the current week’s Bible Lesson, and a Forum to post comments relating to the Lesson are available, and also a Bulletin Board where you can post comments of a more general nature.

YouTube Channel

Our YouTube channel has over 3,000 videos of church services, classes, readings of books and articles, hymns, and music from our services, which are visited regularly by people from all over the world.

Check out all that we have to offer by going to:

YouTube.com/PlainfieldCS

Our Church Publications

Our church publications are available free on our church website, but sometimes it’s nice to have a copy in your hand to refer back to at your leisure, or during the night when there might be a need for comfort. Descriptions and subscription prices are included below.

Newsletter

In alternate months, our church publishes our church Newsletter, “Plainfield Independent.” This publication contains news about church activities, miscellaneous writings, and other fun things that will make you smile, laugh — and think.

Books by Early Workers in Christian Science

Plainfield Church is the source for many books and writings by early workers in the Christian Science movement, many of whom worked in Mrs. Eddy’s home and were taught by Mrs. Eddy herself. These priceless writings are available for purchase at very reasonable prices, and are listed, along with ordering information, on our church website, plainfieldcs.com. Many articles on our church website are excerpts taken from these books, so to have the complete works is a real privilege!

You can find a list of books we have available for purchase by clicking “Store” on the top menu of our website.

Church Membership

“When one sees that Christian Science is the only way, he is ready for church membership, and there is no other requirement.” — Mary Baker Eddy

This is the only requirement for membership in Plainfield Church. We welcome everyone who wishes to become a member and work for God to send in an application, which you can find under the “Members” tab on our website. Or send an email to our clerk at: clerk@plainfieldcs.com.

Websites in Other Languages

Our missionary work is expanding. We have recently launched websites in the languages of Hungarian, Ukrainian, Russian, Marathi, Nepali, Pashto, Persian, Sindhi, and Tamil, which join with our existing Spanish, French, German, Dutch, Chinese, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu — that makes seventeen languages other than English!

Much gratitude to all of our translators for their individual demonstrations which are working to bless every corner of the world!

We recently received the following email from someone new in Pakistan:

Accept my greetings and salute for the lovely way to produce your unchallenged true teachings about God, as our Mind, we as His ideal creation and making it clear what the Christian Science Church is giving to the spiritual-thirsty like me. The great work you and your Church is dealing regarding foreign languages is amazing and fruitful. I am having great blessings since I have started learning the Word of God through your website and YouTube channels. Especially Pashto, Sindhi, Urdu, Punjabi, Tamil and Marathi languages are doing great things spiritually in my life when I read and listen to the YouTube lessons.

I greatly appreciate it and ask my Lord for the unstoppable blessings for the whole church worldwide. May you always please my heart and soul by producing these lessons and other great material in all the languages of the world especially for my Pakistani and Indian people. Amen.

I thank you and the whole church again for all of this.

Our goal was, and still is, to get the Word of God out to people all over the world who need this pure, unadulterated Science, as we did, and still do. So you will see that much of what we provide on our website, plainfieldcs.com, is free. Please feel free to browse through all that we have there. You don’t even have to tell us who you are — we warmly welcome everyone!

But there are expenses involved in maintaining a website, and in maintaining our church home and our church services. So if you are helped by what you find here, and you wish to show your gratitude, please use the “donate” button on the website. It would be greatly appreciated!

Tenets of Christian Science

Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,
by Mary Baker Eddy, pages 496-497

The following is a brief exposition of the important points, or religious tenets, of Christian Science:—

1.     As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life.

2.     We acknowledge and adore one supreme and infinite God. We acknowledge His Son, one Christ; the Holy Ghost or divine Comforter; and man in God’s image and likeness.

3.     We acknowledge God’s forgiveness of sin in the destruction of sin and the spiritual understanding that casts out evil as unreal. But the belief in sin is punished so long as the belief lasts.

4.     We acknowledge Jesus’ atonement as the evidence of divine, efficacious Love, unfolding man’s unity with God through Christ Jesus the Way-shower; and we acknowledge that man is saved through Christ, through Truth, Life, and Love as demonstrated by the Galilean Prophet in healing the sick and overcoming sin and death.

5.     We acknowledge that the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection served to uplift faith to understand eternal Life, even the allness of Soul, Spirit, and the nothingness of matter.

6.     And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure.

A note about the lighthouse 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.

“Publish the Word”

Broadcast the Truth

“Freely ye have received, freely give”