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.”

The Fourth Commandment

Christian Science Sentinel, April 21, 1923

When Moses received the Ten Commandments from God on mount Sinai, he may not have seen that in them was later to be found the basis for all true human law. He may not have known they were to stand unchanged through all time, and were to become the very foundation of all religious and moral ethics. When the people of Jesus’ time accused him of overthrowing Moses’ law, he insisted that he came not to destroy but to fulfill it. In direct line with this, Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (p. 174), “The thunder of Sinai and the Sermon on the Mount are pursuing and will overtake the ages, rebuking in their course all error and proclaiming the kingdom of heaven on earth.” And in Rudimental Divine Science (pp. 11, 12) in speaking of one “who is indeed a Christian Scientist,” she writes, “Above all, he keeps unbroken the Ten Commandments.” No Christian Scientist, therefore, doubts the absolute necessity of his learning to understand and obey them.

Each of the Ten Commandments is of great value in working out all human problems. When God gave the command, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy,” He presented to all mankind not only a duty, but a marvelous privilege and protection. In recent centuries great thinkers have almost with one accord agreed that the nations which have regarded the Sabbath most have prospered best. Daniel Webster once said: “The longer I live the more highly do I estimate the Christian Sabbath and the more grateful do I feel to those who impress its importance on the community;” while Montalembert declared, “Without a Sabbath, no worship; without worship, no religion; without religion, no permanent freedom.”

This demonstration of keeping the Sabbath holy is one which, like all others, must be definitely individual. Just how each individual Christian Scientist is to spend the Sabbath day to keep it holy is not for one to tell another. Divine Mind alone is able to direct each one in his use of those valuable hours. As in all else, each must, however, be a law to himself that he be true to the demands of Principle.

In this age, as in Jesus' time, the devil is still very fond of quoting Scripture. For instance, it uses with great diligence Jesus' statement, “The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath.” This is certainly true; but it is well to remember that it could not continue true if separated from the command, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” The devil even goes so far as to say: Jesus rarely went to church, so why should you? overlooking what Luke tells us of Jesus, “And, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day.” Later, when “he arose out of the synagogue,” he went to Peter’s house and healed his mother-in-law.

Could we possibly imagine Jesus doing or declaring anything contrary to God’s command? or anything that was unholy on any day? Error, arguing from the opposite standpoint of personal gratification, says: You work hard all the week, and surely Jesus intended the Sabbath should be a day when men may be free to follow their own inclinations; that is the way for them to rest and so fit themselves for better service. As a protection against such argument as this we have the wonderful By-law (Manual, Art. XVII, Sect. 1), wherein we read: “A Christian Scientist is not fatigued by prayer, by reading the Scriptures or the Christian Science textbook. Amusement or idleness is weariness. Truth and Love rest the weary and heavy laden.”

It is indeed true that all days are God’s days. And are we not given in the fourth commandment the protective, practical, gentle way to prove them such in our own experience? As we lift the one day into higher holiness, surely the others will naturally approach the better standard. To those seeking spiritual good, what joyous possibilities this orderly progress promises; what hours for quiet, refreshing study; what royal opportunities to rest beside still waters; what glorious times of sweet communion with God! Then, as Christian Scientists, we shall certainly be alert to avail ourselves of the untold blessings which must accrue from remembering “the sabbath day, to keep it holy;” and as a result, we too shall go forth to more effective, quicker healing of the multitudes!

Christian Science Sentinel, October 17, 1925

A student of Christian Science was deeply impressed with Jesus’ observance of the Passover. Not only did he observe it in obedience to a religious custom from the time of Moses, but he elevated the form of worship to a more spiritual meaning. As this began to unfold, the student then realized the need today for the observance of certain forms of worship, and for our, as well as our children’s, loving compliance.

In our Church Manual (pp. 62, 63) we find the first of our Leader’s provisions for the instruction of children in Sunday school: “The first lessons of the children should be the Ten Commandments.” Many who turn to Christian Science for healing and salvation have come from varying beliefs. As Mrs. Eddy states in Miscellaneous Writings (p. 224), “We should remember that the world is wide; that there are a thousand million different human wills, opinions, ambitions, tastes, and loves; that each person has a different history, constitution, culture, character, from all the rest.”

From these varying attitudes toward the Sabbath, the student of Christian Science will awaken to the joy of observing the Sabbath in ways which will elevate thought by attending the church services, and by seeking that which is beautiful, lofty, and inspiring in all ways. Learning obedience to the fourth commandment and constantly bringing out its meaning in our own lives, we can readily guide our children to a normal, happy observance of the Sabbath, with the giving up of those forms of entertainment which fill the thought with materiality.

The world needs our example in all ways today; and through loving observance, through “remembrance and love” of what the Sabbath typifies and promises, we shall, by throwing the weight of our thought and actions on the right side, arouse others to seek the true rest, freedom, and joy. By thus doing, the children, so ready to discern the wisdom and love of God’s commands, will more readily follow the demands of Truth.

Christian Science Sentinel, January 15, 1910

The revelation of the Sabbath as a day of rest seems to be the first law of conduct unfolded to human thought, for in the second chapter of Genesis we read that “God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.”

The consecration of the Sabbath seems to go back to the dawn of human consciousness, for when the Bible was written men were already observing the Sabbath. Noah observed an interval of seven days when sending the birds out of the ark. When the commandments were written “with the finger of God,” the fourth commandment read: “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy,” which implies a recalling of what had already been established. The Sabbath was intended to be a period of joyful rest and recreation in communion with God, who Himself, according to Scripture, rested on the seventh day.

The New Testament lays great stress on the Sabbath, and the hypocritical Pharisees criticized and condemned Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, but the Master proclaimed, “It is lawful to do good on the sabbath days.”

It was indeed a memorable Sabbath when Jesus cast out the devil from the demoniac in the synagogue; nor can we forget the Sabbath when the cripple, lying at the pool of Bethesda, who had been paralyzed for thirty-eight years, “took up his bed, and walked,” at Jesus' command. But when the Jews persecuted Jesus for breaking the Sabbath, he replied, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.”

The disciples were accused of Sabbath-breaking on that journey through the cornfields, when they plucked the ripe ears of corn to appease their hunger. Jesus rebuked their critics by telling them that, had they known the meaning of “I will have mercy, and not sacrifice,” they “would not have condemned the guiltless.” It was on the Sabbath, too, when the man with the withered hand had it “restored whole, like as the other.”

It is possible for each of us to “rest in the Lord,” and have a Sabbath consciousness or peaceful state of mind, every day in the week as we grow into the “stature of the fulness of Christ,” and have that Mind in us “which was also in Christ Jesus.” Then our days will all be filled with the good works which must result from right thinking; and we shall keep the Sabbath by doing the works of the Master.

Christian Science Sentinel, May 4, 1918

The Hebrews instituted the Sabbath as a day of rest, and even extended the thought of it to the land, designating every seventh year as a period of rest for the soil. They were not to sow or even to gather what sprang from the soil during the seventh year; but to compensate them for this loss, their crops were tripled during the sixth year. Moses sought in this way to lead the people to see that God was the real source of their sustenance. The land did not need the rest so much as the people needed to understand that the power which had tripled their crops was in reality the only source of supply. In like manner, the people needed to cease at times from their material labor, in order to refresh themselves by turning their thoughts from material gain to the contemplation of spiritual reality; and so the Sabbath was set aside as a day of rest.

In the fourth commandment the children of Israel were told to “remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” In it they were to do no work. Gradually, however, this commandment became a mere form, and was observed outwardly by attending religious services and refraining from material labor, but without the inward consecration which alone could bring peace and rest. So it came about that its true meaning was lost.

Our Leader tells us, in speaking of Jesus' teaching, “He knew that men can be baptized, partake of the Eucharist, support the clergy, observe the Sabbath, make long prayers, and yet be sensual and sinful” (S&H p. 20). If observing the Sabbath in a merely material way was pleasing to the Father, surely our Master would have kept it in this manner; but we find him continuing his righteous activity even on the Sabbath.

In our own day we find most people are agreed that mortals need to rest frequently, and the Sabbath is usually spoken of as a day of rest. Isaiah prophetically describes the time when men shall seek rest in divine Mind. He says, “It shall come to pass ... that the Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve.” This is surely the rest we all need to seek.

Rest does not mean inactivity, but happy, joyous activity. Our Leader makes this clear on page 519 of Science and Health where she tells us that “God rests in action.” Our Master said: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” The Christ consciousness lifts thought above the sense of physical weariness and shows us that real activity is restful.

The six days of labor, spoken of in the commandment, typify the struggle of mankind to lift itself out of the hard bondage of material sense, while the seventh day is the discernment that spiritual activity alone is real. During these six days of labor, if we have faithfully striven to serve God, we have become meek and lowly in heart, and having taken our Master’s yoke upon us, we are receptive to the spiritual understanding that divine Mind is the only activity. We thus cease from material thinking and recognize God’s thoughts as the only realities. Thus we are ushered into the seventh day of rest, and find our place in the divine activity, in that consciousness where neither what we call our own thinking or that of others can cause us to turn from the perfect rest of Mind. The last stanza of Mrs. Eddy’s poem, entitled “Mother’s Evening Prayer” (Poems, p. 5) beautifully describes this realization in the following lines: —

“When heaven’s aftersmile earth’s tear-drops gain, And mother finds her home and heav'nly rest.”

Christian Science Sentinel, May 6, 1911

A study of the fourth commandment shows the necessity for something more than a literal interpretation of the Decalogue. If we seek no deeper meaning, the fourth commandment is merely a law to be observed every seventh day, instead of what every Christian Scientist knows it to be, the word of Truth that directs each step of the way out of the house of bondage into the promised land.

The difference between the literal and the spiritual interpretation of this commandment hinges upon the distinction between a material and a scientific sense of time. Mrs. Eddy tells us that “Mind measures time according to the good that is unfolded. This unfolding is God’s day” (S&H, p. 584). In the light of this spiritual interpretation, we see that each brighter realization of Truth is the dawning of a new day, but it is our place to “keep it holy.” When we realize that God’s commands not only can be obeyed, but that they cannot be disobeyed, the power of this commandment reveals the falsity of every sense of discord, sin, or sickness that would seek to desecrate the spiritual idea that God has blessed and hallowed.

If we will let it, the inspiration of this commandment becomes a guardian angel of the time set aside for Christian Science study and work. The day may be full of duties and plans that try to intrude and distract, but Christian Science study brings us into God’s day, wherein “thou shalt not do any work” and all the surrounding conditions shall be in harmony with the truth that is being unfolded.

When the individual sees in any true sense the mighty work that Christian Science is doing, and the splendor of the spiritual ideas it is revealing, he awakes to the reality of being and strives to reflect in his own life this light divine.

Christian Science Sentinel, October 26, 1912

John the Baptist came preaching, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand,” and thus he turned men with expectancy to the truth revealed by Christ Jesus, to the “golden now” as the time in which to experience health, holiness, and heaven.

One who lived in Mrs. Eddy’s household wrote of her, “She never allowed her day to dawn darkened with the clouds of yesterday, but with forward gaze she pressed toward the mark.” We are bidden to “remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,” but when is it Sabbath day? He who is from “everlasting to everlasting” knows no time; to Him there is no Saturday or Sunday, He knows only the one eternal day. This hour, then, is the Sabbath, to be kept holy by spiritual right thinking.

How significant is the “remember”! We are never to forget that this moment is the time to be hallowed. And how shall it be kept holy? We must not only forgive, but forget all injuries, all wrongs, all hardships of the past, to keep the “now” hallowed with peace and acceptable unto divine Love. No dates of past sorrows should be recorded, no darkness or doubt; no unkindness or criticism can be thought or spoken in this ever-present Sabbath.

The eternal Sabbath is a day of rest; there must be no toil or worry, fear or anxiety; we must rest in the sacred sense of the government of infinite good. In hours of perplexity, when material sense whispers that we know not what step to take; when decisions must be made, from Truth comes the answer, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Keep the “now” hallowed with active, positive faith in the operation of divine good. He who is the “same yesterday, and today, and forever,” gives the same good to creation every day.

All that ever has been, all that ever can be, is here today. Jesus proved this to be a divine fact when he said to the man infirm for thirty-eight years and unable to walk, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” No time was needed to convalesce, for “now” held within it the needed health and strength. Men are rising on every side and claiming in the Sabbath “now” their holy heritage of sight, hearing, health, and life.

In Unity of Good (p. 37) Mrs. Eddy writes: “Our Master said, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Then God and heaven, or Life, are present, and death is not the real stepping-stone to Life and happiness. They are now and here; and a change in human consciousness, from sin to holiness, would reveal this wonder of being.” Because disease of every name is a mental experience, a supposition instead of a condition, a change from material to spiritual thinking alone can bring health to the body. Because life is a thinking process instead of a breathing process, freedom from disease can take place in “the twinkling of an eye,” — at any moment when discordant thinking yields to godlike thinking.

No longer need the weary bow under the enslaving beliefs of age, sin, sickness, or sorrow, when they realize that they are “sons of God,” and “joint-heirs with Christ.” Can the heir of eternal Life grow old or lose any of his faculties? Can the heir of boundless strength be weary? Can the heir of omnipotent good be bound by evil appetites? No, for it is written, “Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” When? Now! Now is the life, light, health, and peace of God ours as sons and heirs.

Christian Science Journal, October 1883

Is human life best solaced and sustained by amusement, a “witches stew” into which everybody must drop something after his own kind? Things good and delightful should sometimes have the floor without evil at their elbow, and because the puritan made Sunday a penance, the modern man need not dramatize it, make it a play; nor the land of the Pilgrims throw off her sacerdotal [religious] robes to don the fashions of flimsy France. Must things new and olden lose the bright hue of consistency?

I venture to say it is neither well for a man’s morals nor his religion to rise from his morning prayer with the law on his lip “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy,” and say to his children whose minds he moulds “Let’s go to the Foreign Exposition,” where people can throw off the shackles of Sunday, are free to smoke, spit tobacco juice, and see all things new and novel. Well, I suppose even this would be a delight to some, but not to all. Others may say, we have served our employers, worked hard all the week, and it’s nothing more than just for God to give us a rest: and there is neither rest nor recreation in a dress parade at church (I agree with you); the sermon too is a fossil, and we would rather see fossilized remains of another sort. But dear friends, there are glorious sermons from the pulpits in Boston, and “sermons in stones,” that on Sunday, would recreate me more than foreign exhibitions of art and industry, most interesting in their proper place.

Our theories from first to last are at fault for every wrong practice, they graft evil into good on every occasion and then say the fruit is good. If we are willing to listen one day in seven to Truth, it entertains, elevates and invigorates mind and body, and there is no need of amusement to make us forget it or get rid of its effects. But giving a tithe of our time to the Lord, then escaping from such service and possibly after reflecting having to beg pardon for it, do we improve mind or body? I believe in the poor having proper time for amusement; but let this opportunity be on a week-day evening, or one afternoon in the week, not on the Sabbath. “All work and no play” makes dull boys; and all days are alike in a moral sense, for it is lawful to do good on all, ennobling and rejuvenating.

(Mary Baker Eddy has been verified as the author by The Mary Baker Eddy Library.)

Items By and About Mary Baker Eddy

Christian Science Journal, November 1895

Beloved Brethren: —

Until recently I was not aware that the contribution box was presented at your Friday evening meetings.

I specially desire that you collect no monied contributions from the people present on that occasion. Let the invitation to this sweet converse be in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”

Invite all cordially and freely to this banquet of Christian Science, this feast and flow of Soul. Ask them to bring what they possess of love and light to help leaven your loaf, and replenish your scanty store. Then when presenting your various offerings, and one after another opens his lips to discourse and distribute what God has given him of hope, faith, and understanding, be careful to gather up the fragments, and to count the baskets full of accessions to your love, and see that nothing be lost.

Yours lovingly, MARY BAKER EDDY

Pleasant View, Concord, N. H., Oct. 1st.

Christian Science Journal, November 1884

The element of Christian healing has almost been lost to the world for 1800 years, but we are still the sons of God and live and move and have our being in Him, and by faith we are able to claim our inheritance. And when this attribute of Christ shall be once again in the hearts of his followers, then indeed and in truth, has the Second Coming of Christ been fulfilled.

— Mary B. G. Eddy’s lecture on the Coming of Christ.

Watches Prayers Arguments, page 70

Before you are ready to close your eyes in sleep, be sure you are not holding anything unlovely in your consciousness, anything unlike God; laying aside every fear, put yourself entirely in His charge. Quiet yourself with the thought that He who has all power will protect you, give you health, and all you need in abundance, and know that whether sleeping or waking, you are safe, because your life is hid with Christ in God. To declare that you are well, is the exact truth; you are not flesh, but rather the ray of divine light that, shining upon flesh, makes it appear alive. This you is spiritual, and cannot be sick. Remember, that power is exerted by merely stating a truth. All truth is the word of God. Assert it constantly, even though your so-called human mind screams falsehood. It is to acknowledge Him, to have your mind stayed on Him, to be directly benefited by the activity of good.

Watches Prayers Arguments, page 140

This is God’s spiritual household. Nothing can enter to annoy or destroy. Nothing can enter to manifest sin, sickness or discouragement, for God, good, keeps this household in perfect peace. There is no will-power, obstinacy, or animal magnetism that can darken the atmosphere of my home, for God does in very deed dwell on earth with men, and governs every event. There is no evil condition of thought, that can argue, or suggest, or make any law to dominate or control me, intimidate me, or crush me, bring any evil to pass upon me, or shut out of my consciousness any good. There is no law of failure, want, poverty, lack or limitation. There is no law but the divine law, which is plenty, abundance, harmony and dominion. No mortal mind or minds, or mediumship, can touch me, or anyone within the radius of my thought this day, for God, good, governs every member of this household in perfect peace and love.

Watches Prayers Arguments, page 71

PRAYER Beloved Father-Mother, God, give me wisdom to meet the problems I may have to meet today; give me understanding to deny error and to proclaim the truth. Give me grace to keep silent, when speech is unnecessary. There is no strife, for Truth, risen Truth, will destroy error of every sort. And heaven is right here. God gives abundance of intelligence and opportunity. I cannot be impoverished mentally, physically, spiritually, or financially. God is substance, and I reflect that substance. Realize to yourself daily, more than once, that the fields are white and ready for the harvest, that divine Love always has met every human need, the need for work, as well as any other; that Mind is ever active, and you reflect divine activity; that the source of supply supplies every need; that there is plenty of work for all, and yours belongs to you, and no one else can do it. It comes to you direct, and the supply is abundant, and know all the time that this is so. Never let a lack of anything stay a moment with you. It is rank error and brings all sorts of disease and difficulty.

Watches Prayers Arguments, pages 40-41

WATCH — Hold on and persist for good, because there never is a hopeless situation. When error meets with resistance, it begins to be scattered. Where a situation seems unbearable, it is because error is letting go. Being is one and cannot war with itself; and there is nothing outside of it to strike a blow. No shadow of mortal mind can touch me; there is nothing to fear. God works in me to will and to do, and I shall perform my work. No cloud can touch me or my patients. All that is within me is the spirit of victory.

Daily Angels

Stand fast!

Our God has not left us alone;

His strong right arm defends his own.

By Him is evil overthrown,

Stand fast!

Be strong!

His is the power by which we stand.

All heaven and earth are in His hand;

No greater might on sea or land.

Be strong!

Fear not!

For all things real our God has made T

hat His commands should be obeyed.

All life for us is unafraid.

Fear not!

Press on!

Soon night and fears will all be gone Before the breaking of the dawn.

We cannot fail if we press on.

Press on!

History Corner

William D. McCrackan was born in 1864 in Munich, which at the time was part of the Kingdom of Bavaria. His great-grandfather was Scottish and immigrated to Connecticut around the time of the French and Indian War.

William McCrackan graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, then traveled to Europe and attended Heidelberg University in Germany. He lived in Europe for several years before returning to the United States and settling in New York City. He was a journalist and lecturer, and wrote several books on history and travel.

Mr. McCrackan turned to Christian Science in 1900. Within just a few months, he had Primary class instruction in New York City and, at Mrs. Eddy’s invitation, Normal class. He served three years as Committee on Publication for New York, where he wrote two articles for the North American Review in response to articles they had recently published by Mark Twain, which had ridiculed Christian Science. Mr. McCrackan sent his articles to Mr. Twain. Twain replied, saying he had read them “with admiration and with profit.”

The two men developed a cordial relationship, though they remained in disagreement regarding religion. The last time they met, Mr. Twain’s wife was very ill and he told Mr. McCrackan that he would gladly ask him to pray for her, except that his wife would rather die. Later, when Mr. Twain’s child became seriously ill, she was entirely healed through Christian Science treatment, and Mr. Twain gave Christian Science full credit for the healing, changed his opinion, and even wrote articles praising Christian Science.

In 1905 Mr. McCrackan was appointed First Reader of The Mother Church. He was responsible for the final proofreading of Mrs. Eddy’s 1906 revision of Science and Health, and was made a Trustee of The Christian Science Publishing Society, resigning six months later when he became a member of the Board of Lectureship.

After serving as a lecturer for eight years, he began a three-year term as an Associate Editor of the periodicals. Mr. McCrackan was a member of the committee in charge of translating Mrs. Eddy’s writings into French, and from 1917 to 1918 he was President of The Mother Church. Mr. McCrackan wrote, concerning the career of his friend Laura Lathrop, “The present generation cannot measure adequately the struggles of the pioneers in the work, sent out to do unaccustomed things at the request of the Leader, feeling themselves perhaps unsuited by training or lack of education ... doubting their own abilities, often beset by financial difficulties. ... Nothing but single-minded adherence to the teachings of Christian Science could have brought these persons ... through these trials to the extraordinary successes which crowned their efforts.”

(Compiled from Wikipedia and from Longyear)

Thank God for these faithful and courageous workers!

Christian Science Sentinel, November 23, 1918

A Heavenly host of guardian angels go in and out the Bible pages, concerning whom a volume might be written. To the sleeping Jacob angels seemed to be ascending and descending on a ladder which reached to heaven. Guardian angels were seen at the sepulchre after Jesus had risen; and while the disciples beheld Jesus' ascension, it is recorded, “two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” In an exquisite article on “Angels,” to be found in Miscellaneous Writings (p. 306), are these words: “When angels visit us, we do not hear the rustle of wings, nor feel the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but we know their presence by the love they create in our hearts.”

Christian Science lifts the veil and reveals the heavenly host of right ideas as ever present and ever active. Man may seem beset by hosts of evil suggestions, dark forebodings, threats — at that very moment Christian Science rightly understood brings the absolute assurance that God and His angels, the heavenly host, are at hand to protect and save.

There are stories of soldiers who were conscious of what will be known in history as the Angels of Mons. This place, by a stroke of divine justice, was retaken in the last hours of war. Many unquestionable witnesses attested that they were conscious of the presence of a heavenly host which encouraged the Allies to go forward and stopped the advance of the German soldiers.

When the king of Israel surrounded Dothan to take Elisha with a great host of horses and chariots, the prophet could assure his servant, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” Then it is added, “And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”

The physical senses do not tell us the truth about God’s creation. Hedged about by matter, deceived by appearances, they testify falsely and would if they could confine mankind behind a curtain of materiality and shut out the glories of spirituality. When the ever presence of God and His ideas is realized, the needed help will manifest itself through the invariable operation of divine law. The cry of the sick and distressed, the oppressed and the sinning, is answered through Christian Science, and behold a heavenly host is recognized as round about, ready to deliver, to heal, to protect. The heavenly host is an army of right ideas collected for a divine purpose. It expresses the joyousness of the one Mind.

To be as the angels in heaven is to dwell in the pure thinking of the Christ, Truth. To behold the spiritual Christ-child with the Mother-God’s love is to be under constant, ever present divine protection. The right ideas of God, acting as swift-winged messengers with healing in their wings, circle the universe, heal the sick, raise the dying, and supply a table in the wilderness for the newborn. All who will take the necessary steps can ascend out of the debris of mortal with its human experiences, and can partake of the heavenly feast of right ideas and be fed by His presence.

While human footsteps are being taken under the power of spiritual understanding, the triumphant song of angels can be heard and the tongues of angels can be used in conversation. Intelligence corrects ignorance, brotherly love heals hate, and Mind brings the light which illumines God’s messages to mankind, written on the mental wall by the angel’s pen.

The multitude of the heavenly host of angels, God’s messengers, utter their voices in unison. Theirs is the true community singing, and their song is Hallelujah, Praise ye the Lord. Above the din of terrestrial battles, into the very desolations of the desert, an innumerable company of angels glorify God and assure salvation, banishing all fear with the song of victory.

Daily Angels

Open our eyes, dear God, that we may see

The nothingness of lust and sin,

Of pleasures and pains of sensuality;

And raise our thoughts from matter’s din

To seek Your healing truth and to be free

To find Your peace and love within.

Interesting Squibs

Through meditation and desire for understanding, you open the door to heavenly visitors.

Your emptiness is but the preparation for your being filled; and your casting down is but the making ready for your lifting up.

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.

Everybody is a genius in the sight of God, and there is no other sight.

God did not make a single mistake and left nothing to be improved.

The mind that wants is never the Mind that has.

The conditions and circumstances of our existence depend upon the state of our consciousness, what we know, not simply what we might wish.

Nothing that mortal mind or man ever did, or ever can do, can change the eternal harmony of Spirit.

My body is a wholly good body, because it is the embodiment of a wholly good Mind.

The first purpose of prayer is to know God.

God is the buoyancy, symmetry, strength, and vigor of the body.

Healing is the increasing awareness of perfection, rather than the eradication of disease.

The best interpreter of a book is generally the man who wrote it. The Holy Ghost wrote the Scriptures. Go to him to get their meaning, and you will not be misled.

The only way to pray, is to pray; and the way to pray well, is to pray much.

You need not cry very loud; He is nearer to us than we think.

Prayer must be kept up as duly as meal-time.

Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others.

The work of God does not so often lag because we are discouraged, but we are discouraged because we allow the work to lag. The best preventative against discouragement is to push on the work with all possible zeal, whatever difficulties may be in the way. The workers least subject to discouragement are those who work the hardest.

Plainfield Church Roundtable Discussion

“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” Isaiah 2:22

The word “accounted” means “esteemed, considered, regarded, valued.” This is a good check — how much time and consideration do I give to this so-called mortal self? Am I always concerned about how it is feeling? Looking? Sleeping? Do I worry about diet, exercise, beliefs of aging, etc.? This instruction from Isaiah tells me to stop all this — “Cease ye”!!

How much infinitely better to dwell upon our spiritual nature, to be thinking about the things of God, to be knowing we are His perfect reflection, to know we are all His children, knowing that God is the one and only Creator, to know the government is on His shoulders, to know we are ageless, diseaseless, and deathless.

The Bible and Science and Health give us so many wonderful Truths to identify with, and in so doing I am enriching and expanding the kingdom of God within me. “Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual.”! (S&H page 468) This was a great reminder to me, to keep my thoughts on the right side.

I love what Mrs. Eddy writes in Miscellaneous Writings, on page 28: “In proportion as mortals turn from this mortal and material dream, to the true sense of reality, everlasting Life will be found to be the only Life.”

So how much time are we really spending on this? If we’re not careful, we will see the material everywhere. In an article by Bicknell Young about age, at an Association meeting he said, “I know you were all thinking, look at that one, she looks a lot older than last year.” We've got to stop with this. Watch your thoughts. What side are you on? Mrs. Eddy talks about the scale — let’s balance the scale on the right side. Don't be thinking all these negative thoughts — and they do creep in.

This is very useful for both self-identification and also for re-classification, isn't it? “Cease ye from man whose breath is in his nostrils.” Start with yourself, who am I to be accounted of? And then see the rest of mankind as God’s creation as well. Because you can't love others if you don't feel God’s love for you. You can't see others correctly if you don't know who you are.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

We have to admit to ourselves and to God, and ask His forgiveness, if we have done something harmful to anyone. But we must be careful not to continue to dwell on it.

There is an article by Ella Hoag called “On Confessing One’s Sins” that is very good. In it she says, “Now sin seems to hold tenaciously to its own supposititious entity, and therefore it all too frequently deceives mortals into believing that it is well to talk much of it. As the Christian Scientist awakens to the claims of sin, unless he is aware that it is a mistake to chatter about his shortcomings, he may be betrayed into doing this, believing that it will be a benefit to himself or others. To be sure, James has written, 'Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.' He, however, could scarcely have intended that mortals should magnify evil by talking unduly of it.”

This is very interesting. The Catholic church encourages confessions. Being honest, having humility, and facing our sins is good, but too much talking about it magnifies the problem. Sometimes you then have to work hard to again see yourself as God’s perfect child. Mrs. Eddy says, “If a man is jealous, envious, or revengeful, he will seek occasion to balloon an atom of another man’s indiscretion, inflate it, and send it into the atmosphere of mortal mind — for other green eyes to gaze on: he will always find somebody in his way, and try to push him aside; will see somebody’s faults to magnify under the lens that he never turns on himself.

“What have been your Leader’s precepts and example! Were they to save the sinner, and to spare his exposure so long as a hope remained of thereby benefiting him? Has her life exemplified long-suffering, meekness, charity, purity?

“She readily leaves the answer to those who know her.” (Mis. p. 129-130)

Nancy Beauchamp sent an article (see below) that is very helpful. It deals with what Mrs. Eddy calls surplus thinking, how we think about others when we are off guard and not actively thinking.

(Written to a woman who was having issues with her ex-husband.)

Dear Heather,

Your thinking needs adjustment. Just like Lazarus in the tomb, you have wrapped up Josh in mortal beliefs: he is unreliable, he is ungrateful, he is selfish, he is violent at times, he has PTSD, etc.

When Jesus raised Lazarus, he did it by refusing to accept the lie that he had died. He told his disciples that he needed to wake up Lazarus from sleep. The disciples misunderstood Jesus, so he spoke to them on their level of understanding and said, “He is dead.”

This shows that Jesus refused to believe what the material senses said about Lazarus. Instead, Jesus “knew the truth” about Lazarus — that he was eternally the image and likeness of God — alive, not dead. “Loose him, and let him go.” You, Miss Heather, need to loosen the grave clothes that have bound Josh. See him as Jesus saw Lazarus. See him as God sees him — spiritual and perfect — the reflection of his Maker. Take off the bindings for Josh. Like Lazarus, he cannot do it on his own. Stop seeing him as a sinning mortal — the devil wants you to see that viewpoint.

And how did Jesus speak to the devil? “Get thee behind me, Satan!” Put off those false suggestions about Josh every time they come knocking on the door of your thinking. Jesus also said, “You are a liar, and the father of it.” Josh is not a mortal sinner — he is God’s beloved child. We need to impersonalize the error — take it off of Josh — and recognize its true source — the one evil, or evil one.

So, sweet Heather, start seeing Josh as God made him. Put off the old man with his deeds and put on the new man. “New” in this instance means “not brand new, but always there, dusty from lack of use.” Remove Josh’s graveclothes and wrap him up instead in God’s love. And, be obedient to Jesus’ command — loose him, and LET HIM GO.

From the Early Workers

Christian Science Journal, March 1894

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (II Cor. 12:9)

The words of Paul are a comfort to every Christian warrior. His experience, patience, and wisdom, are an inspiration to all those who seek the Law of Life. He sets an example of fortitude, perseverance, and unwavering trust. Through all his afflictions and persecutions, he saw nothing but the finger of God pointing to a glorified existence in the revelation of the real.

He relates his troubles in a meek and humble spirit, and counts them all as benefits, blessings, guides, through which spiritual facts are made discernible. He declares, “Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I been in the deep.” He does not relate these trials in a rebellious, murmuring spirit, or in a way that made a reality of them; but with Christ-like, honest confession, he portrays the path through which his bleeding footsteps found the way to the heights of revelation.

Paul’s method of handling error, his manner of exposing it, his ability to speak of it in an impersonal way, points to us a lesson of common sense and humility. Experience showed to him the golden quality of hope, and hope was like a green fir-tree, pointing toward the shore of eternity. Hope maketh not afraid; with eternity in view, fear vanished, and the glorious warrior for Truth stood bound with the girdle of strength, and proclaimed the law of freedom. Pulling down the strongholds of evil, weakening the citadel of pride, self-will, self-justification and all other mortal self-qualities, his strength was made perfect. Strength is a life-giving property, and is in Mind only.

The walls of Jericho were encompassed seven times before a belief in the strength of matter yielded to the strength of Spirit; then Joshua and his soldiers' shouts of victory and freedom were long and loud. We have but to storm the bulwarks and towers of evil with the trumpet notes of Truth, and the walls of belief will give way to the strong forces of understanding.

Let us put our house in order, and make preparation to take higher steps, and do our duty, one toward another, so that we may be called dutiful sons and daughters of God.

Christian Science Sentinel, May 20, 1911

The eighth chapter of John is one of the most remarkable chapters of the four Gospels. In it the great Teacher, speaking from the mount of Olives, declared himself to be the light of the world, and said that those who followed him should have the light of life.

This leads up to that wonderful saying of the Master’s which has been so often quoted, and which is one of the favorite texts of Christian Scientists: “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” But what of the context? What is the condition attached to this freedom? Let us consider the whole statement: “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

There is a vast difference between studying a part of the text and studying the whole of it. The danger lies in supposing that no matter what the individual thinks or does, he will somehow be made free by the truth. To accept or believe only part of it is misleading. Nor is it sufficient merely to believe. There must be a continuing in his word. And what is it to continue in his word? Nothing less than full and absolute obedience to the Christ-teaching, — all of it, not merely part. To continue in his word is to study his word, understand his word, and do his word. Thus only can men become his disciples indeed, and thus only can they be made free.

Similar to this saying of the Master is that declaration of the Christian Science textbook, which we so love to quote: “Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need” (S&H p. 494). This is often treated as if it, too, were complete in itself. In one sense it is, but the fulness of its meaning can be understood only by taking it in connection with the whole teaching of the textbook. Thus reading it we find that there is the same relative meaning attached to it that characterizes the saying of the Master above referred to. Divine Love meets all human needs, provided always that the necessary conditions to such meeting are complied with.

There must be a meeting of divine Love and the human need. There must be a mutuality, a cooperation. The Scriptures say that the Lord loveth an even balance. A one-sided sense of Love would be partial and uneven. The sane farmer would not expect a crop of wheat if he failed to prepare the soil and sow the seed. No more should we expect our human needs to be met unless we do our part toward bringing about the meeting.

We have much to think of and much to do in connection with these familiar and much-loved sayings.

When we are tempted to complain because of seeming failure, we would do well to study carefully these sayings, with their context and correlatives.

Christian Science Sentinel, March 31, 1917

The noble motto “In God we trust,” found on many coins of the United States of America, sets forth concisely the fundamental truth of all religion and of successful statecraft as well, implying as they do, the parenthood of God and the brotherhood of man. Christian Scientists are active citizens, loyal to God and country, ready to uphold Principle. Only a land of the free can do full justice to the above motto.

If an attempt is made to filter trust in God through a person or organization, there is every reason to suspect that they will impart to this trust a personal sense and interfere with the direct appeal to God. Therefore a working trust in God implies some measure of self-government.

Mrs. Eddy expressed herself as follows: “I believe strictly in the Monroe Doctrine, in our Constitution, and in the laws of God. While I admire the faith and friendship of our chief executive in and for all nations, my hope must still rest in God, and the Scriptural injunction, — ‘Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.'” (My. p.282).

The belief that national life can be governed according to human dictates will corrupt a nation if left unchecked, whereas simple trust in good frustrates treachery within and without, turns aside the secret thrust, and establishes a plan of defense which is never aggressive and never afraid — since God, all-power, knows no evil.

The hour has dawned when the nations of the earth are called upon to declare their allegiance either to Principle or to person, to God or to self, to divine Mind or to mortal mind, to Truth or to error. On the one side is human ingenuity pushed to its utmost efforts in order to perpetuate personal or class domination; on the other side is a growing willingness to submit national action to the test question of allegiance to God, who is Truth.

Christian Scientists, trained to turn to God for the solution of every problem, no more hesitate in the moment of national emergency than they do in the case of personal peril. The motto “In God we trust,” rising beyond merely national lines, is today an international asset belonging to the whole world and declaring that Principle always wins.

Christian Science Sentinel, August 17, 1907

St. Paul tells us that “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places;” in other words, against the works of the devil “mortal mind” in its various phases. Meanwhile mortals think that the physical body, or some person whom they do not like, or some apparently disastrous combination in outward affairs, is responsible for the discord.

While engaged in fighting the outward or visible conditions, they do not perceive the source of the annoyances, and so mortal mind continues to torment them — but when men grow wiser, and recognize these outward effects to be but the phenomena of mortal mind, and begin to fight with the sword of the Spirit and the shield of understanding, the overcoming they have so longed for is realized.

Error often places before men some supposed worldly good, — such as wealth, fame, worldly wisdom, stimulants, fleshly lusts, and various fads and foibles, — and until they become wise, they are given to chasing after these things. Some of us gave many years to this folly, but finally we woke up to the fact that in pursuing the wisdom and pleasures of this world, we were learning that “to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

We learn to break these mesmeric influences by striking at their source, mortal mind itself, by knowing that there is no evil mind to deceive and govern us, because God is the only creator, and He, being good, did not make any evil mind. Thus we employ our understanding of Christ, Truth, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, “to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked,” “to stand against the wiles of the devil,” and thus, like Christ, “to destroy the works of the devil.”

Christian Science Journal, November 1928

Our Master silenced the accusations of the multitude on a certain occasion when they questioned why he mingled with sinners, by answering, “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick.” Jesus implied a lack of something in the lives of those he sought to save, since to be “whole” means to be complete, lacking nothing. When he added that he came not to “call the righteous, but sinners to repentance,” he stated quite plainly what the lack was — the lack of righteousness.

The sinner, bound about with the beliefs of life in a material body, wrapped in the graveclothes of mortal fear, frailty, and failure, does need to be shown the way — does need to hear and heed the call “Come forth,” which Jesus uttered with a loud voice at the tomb of his friend Lazarus. The sinner must come forth from the false beliefs of matter as having reality.

On page 290 of the textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, we read, “Life is the everlasting I AM, the Being who was and is and shall be, whom nothing can erase.” And man is the image and likeness of this “I AM,” God. Let not the seeming weight of past mistakes deter us.

Those who have triumphed over sin through the realization of the power of Truth and the nothingness of evil, do not find it hard to point the way of righteousness, of right thinking and living, to others — the way which leads from sin and death through the understanding of Truth and Life.

In the Christian Science textbook our Leader writes, “To get rid of sin through Science, is to divest sin of any supposed mind or reality, and never to admit that sin can have intelligence or power, pain or pleasure.” (p. 339) How true! How could sin have intelligence, since God, good, is all-intelligence? James says, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.”

Webster’s Dictionary gives as one of the meanings of “entice,” “To induce to evil.” So we can readily see that the lusts of the flesh, “the carnal mind” as Paul calls it, “induce to evil.” Whereas we have abundant record in the four Gospels that the Mind which was in Christ Jesus overcomes all manner of sin and sickness, and destroys the belief of death; hence the earnest admonition of Paul, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”

Let this Mind be in us; let us be transformed by it, know ourselves no longer as sinning sons of an Adam race, but as the blessed sons of God, in whom is neither sin nor the desire to sin. Mary Magdalene gained this consciousness by learning the unreality of the so-called pains and pleasures of the senses. No one need despair. The Psalmist said, “If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.” Hear also these words from our Leader’s beautiful poem, her “Communion Hymn” (Poems, p. 75):

Sinner, it calls you, — Come to this fountain, Cleanse the foul senses within;

'Tis the Spirit that makes pure, That exalts thee, and will cure

All thy sorrow and sickness and sin.

Christian Science Journal, January 1887

Infinite Spirit! Supreme and “adorable” Intelligence! We revere thee; for Thou art Omnipresent Life. We praise Thee; for Thou art Omniscient Truth; and we adore Thee, for Thou art Omnipotent Love. We thank Thee, and rejoice that we can, with the understanding, in Spirit and Truth, worship Thee as our Father and our God. Help us to realize Thy nearness to us; even that it is in Thee that we “live, move, and have our being,” and may our knowledge of Thee increase, till we can, with the confidence that is begotten of the understanding, take hold of Thy great and precious promises, and realize that Thou art an ever-present help in every time of need.

May each human life be a prayer of good deeds, and a continued anthem of praise and thanksgiving; thus fulfilling the divine injunction to “pray without ceasing, and in all things to give thanks,” and may we be abundantly blessed in our efforts to attune our thoughts in accord with Thy great and harmonious laws of being, and while our hearts are warmed with a flame of sacred love from Thine own great heart of Parental Affection, may we be led by thy wisdom into all truth. We ask all in the name of him who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” and “Lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world.” Amen.

Christian Science Sentinel, August 21, 1915

The consciousness of the Christian Scientist is like some sweet, still garden, wherein each day is unfolding new blossoms of thought, nourished by the dews of faith, refreshed by the winds of hope, and quickened into life and beauty by the warm sunshine of love. It is a place of perpetual springtime.

As the world awakens each year from its long winter’s sleep, so do mortals, too long asleep in material beliefs, awaken sooner or later under the transforming touch of Truth to find themselves in a new world of loveliness, the “new heaven” and the “new earth” of John’s prophetic vision. The activity which unlocks the frozen shallows of the brooks, which flings green garlands on every bough and coaxes the anemone to uncurl its shy petals in the sunshine, is but a type of that spiritual activity which makes “the wilderness and the solitary place” of some starving human consciousness to bud and “blossom as the rose.”

Mrs. Eddy asks, “Who that has felt the loss of human peace has not gained stronger desires for spiritual joy?” Then she adds, “The pains of sense quickly inform us that the pleasures of sense are mortal and that joy is spiritual” (S&H, p. 265). Joy, then, being spiritual, is but a part of man’s eternal heritage. God’s obedient idea has a right to be happy, because it is ever knowing and doing the Father’s will. It is just as natural for man to be happy as it is for a bird to sing. Joy is a spiritual possession, and it necessarily follows that it is impartially and universally bestowed, — an ever present fact, as changeless and eternal as the Mind from which it emanates.

But what says mortal mind to all this? It flatly contradicts it, of course, just as it attempts to contradict and reverse everything that is true. It says that joy is far from being a universal possession, but is instead some rare gift allotted to a favored few. It says that joy is not the normal state of man, but the abnormal. It insists that man is naturally “of few days, and full of trouble.” Job once believed this, but it was before he had learned to differentiate between frail humanity and the perfect man of God’s creating. Popular opinion on this subject has not greatly changed since that day when beggared self-righteousness, shorn of all it held most dear, sat in dust and ashes, listening to the false sympathy of false friends.

Job was supposed to be happy when he was at ease in personal sense, and to be unhappy as soon as this sense of ease was taken from him. The world in general agrees with Job; it says that a man’s happiness consists “in the abundance of the things which he possesseth,” so it straightway goes to work to accumulate “things.” It says that joy is synonymous with wealth, power, fame, worldly success, gratified ambition, ample leisure for self-indulgence, — all that stands for “the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” It therefore spends its short span of time in pursuing these, as children pursue some dancing will-o’-the-wisp, yet all the while knowing that when this passing thing called happiness is once attained, it will be retained only so long as chance and change decree, and that at any moment a sudden turn of that elusive weather-vane called “circumstance” may send it floating provokingly away into the distance.

How it rests one, after thinking of these things, to remember that the man who had as little in material possession as any one of whom the world has ever known, once included “my joy” in the rich legacy which he left to his disciples. In the hour before Gethsemane, Christ Jesus said to those sorrowing hearts, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” His joy, when he was about to be crucified! Yet as we read those matchless words spoken that day in the “upper room” at Jerusalem, we feel sure that in the face of him who uttered them there must have shone that look of holy joy which shines in the faces of all who follow him, because it is clear and undisturbed radiance of right thinking.

The only sort of joy which really exists, loses not one iota of its pure serenity through the empty flutter of passing events. Paul once wrote that he rejoiced in tribulation. Joy does not mean that one has run away from trouble; it means that he has overcome it. Joy has proven the affluence of its God, and is giving thanks. It is not the untried, undisturbed tranquility of a garden bathed in June sunshine; rather is it this same garden uplifting fragrant chalices of gratitude because of the refreshing of the rain. It is the rainbow blossoming into beauty against the blackness of disappearing storm-clouds. It is the smile that shines through tears. It is that which has had its starless midnight and at dawn has heard the thrush’s song.

In a certain quiet room there stands a vase of iridescent glass, delicately sensitive to the tint of any flower confided to its care. All day long it sparkles like a fleck of imprisoned rainbow, flinging out soft blues and purples and opalescent rose color, a thing of perpetual beauty, changing its hues each hour as the sunshine shifts its point of view. But it is when the sunshine goes away and evening shadows creep into the room that it grows most beautiful of all in the eyes of its possessor; for while it loses its color, it still shines on, like some clear, steady little star, long after everything else around it has melted into darkness. Thus it reminds one of the true Christian Scientist, lifting his gaze above the clouds of sense, rejoicing in the sunshine, merging himself with delicate self-effacement into the general harmony of his surroundings, a source of unfailing light and gladness to all about him.

In Miscellaneous Writings our Leader says: “The lives of great men and women are miracles of patience and perseverance. Every luminary in the constellation of human greatness, like the stars, comes out in the darkness to shine with the reflected light of God” (p. 340). “Your joy,” said Jesus, “no man taketh from you.” Then shine on, little star! Who knows how many are watching for your light? Who knows how many, now wandering afar in the darkness, shall see your steady glow, and come out from among the shadows to find, as you have found, the eternal sunshine of Love’s abiding presence?

Daily Angels

When much seems wrong with those near me,

And I feel I am closely confined

With little opportunity,

Then these few truths I bring to mind.

Only my thought of other men

Makes them seem either small or great.

The wrong I think I find with them

In my thought must originate

And I need never change my place

To know Life’s fullness to the brim.

I need but grow the more in grace

And let Love’s light become less dim.

All opportunity is here

To love my God and fellow man.

And doing so brings heaven near

And so fulfills God’s loving plan.

Current Articles

When our family was very new in our study of Christian Science, we witnessed a wonderful healing. This healing was a great blessing to me because it demonstrated the truth about cause. It was the first time I realized that there is only one cause, and that cause is good. It occurred when our oldest son was attending elementary school. He was eight years old and his age level participated in a health class. He told me that in this class, causes for diseases were being discussed in detail, viruses and bacteria, in particular. I was concerned because I thought that these lessons of error would seem more real to this child than his brand-new, just-budding understanding of Truth.

One morning, he felt too sick to go to school. He had unpleasant symptoms of the flu, so he stayed in bed. We prayed together with the little scientific understanding we had, thanking God that His power is the only power in the universe. But he still felt sick. He stayed in bed all morning and for part of the afternoon.

Suddenly, he came running down the stairs. He had a big grin on his face, and he said, “Guess what?” This is what he said to me: “If bacteria and viruses were crawling all over me, they wouldn't hurt me, because Love made everything — they have to be friendly.” He had been instantaneously healed when he realized the scientific fact about one, primal cause.

Because God is cause, and God is Love, everything that Love causes to be, must be, just has to be, harmless. Everything has to be good. Everything created by Love must have the same intrinsic quality of kindness — everything, no matter how it appears to the material senses. Our son was completely healed and returned to school the next day. The truth that he had seen so clearly is found on page 207 of Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy, “There is but one primal cause. Therefore, … there can be no reality in aught which does not proceed from this great and only cause.”

This lesson on primal cause has continued to bless me throughout the years. It is so simple. It is the fundamental truth preserved in the gospel of John 1:3: “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

I was plagued with motion sickness since childhood. A few years ago I had the opportunity to take a long trip, involving cars, trains, buses, planes, and a small boat. Finally getting there and being on the boat, I felt the motion sickness begin. I just absolutely refused to have spent all this money, and all this time and effort to get to this beautiful place, and to spend a minute of it sick! It occurred to me in this moment of inspiration that I was living and moving and having my being in God. I thought to myself, OK, I know that, but how does that apply to this?

The inspiration came that I hadn't really been up in the air, and on the ground, and traveling in all these things. All this time I had been living and moving, and having my being in God! I was in one place the whole time. That sank into my thought on such a deep level — one place! Everything seemed to speed up, I got sick briefly, and then it was all over. It just passed off, and I've never had that problem again.

I have enjoyed testing it. I've ridden in vans, in planes, and I even had a semester where I rode in the back of buses, and I was free, because of that idea of living and moving and having my being in God — only being in that one place. It sank in, and took, and I have never had that problem again. I am so grateful for this, and I've been able to share this healing with other people. What a wonderful thought, that we all have only ever been in one place no matter what the human experiences may seem to have been.

I'm very grateful for the teachings in Christian Science, the dominion that it gives us, the proof of immortality that it gives us, and for the teaching at the Plainfield Church. I am grateful for the website, all the beautiful articles there are for inspiration, for all the services online for us to listen to any time.

A couple of months ago, just before the holidays, my dishwasher started to make a strange noise. I opened the door to see if something was in the way of the arm, but everything looked fine.

This close to the holidays was not a good time for a repair, or to buy a new one — or to be without the dishwasher, so I prayed. Then I remembered in Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes, “If Mind is the only actor, how can mechanism be automatic?” I remember Mrs. Evans telling us a long time ago that the transmission in her daughter’s car needed to be replaced, and she couldn't afford to have it fixed at the time. Mrs. Evans prayed with that statement, and the car ran for another two years, until she was finally able to take care of it.

Thinking about it, I realized, of course mechanism is not automatic; everything in God’s universe is governed by, and responsive to, Principle — including her transmission and my dishwasher. The noise stopped, and it is still running perfectly.

Thank God for Christian Science! The power in one simple statement heals!

I am so grateful to know that the everlasting arms of Love are constantly around all of us, and that God is an ever-present help, even when something seems a little trivial, like paint color.

I met a client to discuss the plans for his bathroom. He wanted tiles halfway up the walls, with paint above the tiles. The tiles were supposedly blue, but as we looked more closely, there were different shades of blue and a little green in each tile, and were quite difficult to match.

The client and I went to the paint store with some of the tiles, but they seemed to change color depending on which light it was under. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, and I remember wondering if we were going to be able to find the right color.

It suddenly came to me that, of course, I could ask God, the great Designer, as He would undoubtedly know exactly which shade was needed. In fact, He already knew it! I don't think that I prayed any more than that, really, because the clarification came instantly. As soon as I thought to acknowledge God, my eyes were immediately taken to a card down on the bottom row, a soft creamy beige with a slightly silver element to it, and I picked it out. I then took another card of similar shade, and now we had our samples.

After the tiles were installed, the paint samples were painted onto the wall, ready for the client to choose. Of course, the client chose the sample that my eyes had been divinely led to. I had a little quiet chuckle and a little thank you to God for His help.

I keep thinking of when Jesus turned the water into wine and everyone at the wedding agreed it was the best wine they had ever tasted. It feels that the same perfection is present on the walls in that room. What an amazing adventure it is to learn to live Christian Science! I am so grateful to know God, to know Christian Science, and to have the opportunity to learn so much and be a part of this very special church. Infinite Mind really does have all the answers.

I’m so grateful for the prayers of the Weather Committee, and for God’s government and protection of His kingdom.

During a tropical storm several months ago, there was prediction of tornadoes in thirteen New Jersey counties. The Weather Committee prayed, as did other church members, and none of the predictions materialized. Nor did we have days of torrential rain as predicted. And there have been other instances of God’s protection and care before and after.

William McCrackan writes, “The true atmosphere is, therefore, always harmonious, and the belief that atmosphere is physical can be properly controlled by the spiritual realization of the kingdom of heaven.”

Mrs. Eddy is very clear about God’s dominion over all facets of weather, and ours as His reflection. She insisted on careful and complete watching until everything was returned to normal and the human need was met, as she herself demonstrated with storms, heat, etc.

In Mrs. Eddy’s “Argument for the Weather,” she states, “God governs all, is All-in-all. God is our constant Guide and Guardian. No mortal thought, known or unknown, seen or unseen, can interfere with the manifestation of Love’s presence with us. The weather manifests God’s government, and no evildoers can change this fact. The devils of human thought — all the powers of many minds — are powerless in Love’s presence. God is All. God is Mind.” (Watches Prayers Arguments, pages 100-101.)

Some time ago, during a period of what felt like heavy opposition against me and my work, I realized I needed to be more active in handling doubt. I was beginning to understand from all I was learning about Christian Science and from practitioner support that these claims were coming to me for life, and therefore the accountability was squarely on me to “stand porter” (S&H, p. 392) and cast these evils out.

I started to carefully watch to see how the various truths we are taught here are being fulfilled in my life and in the lives of those I know. There needed to be absolutely no hint in my thought of merely saying the words like a magic spell, but rather a true and consistent recognition and understanding that the Word of God is being made evident in my daily life.

An example of some of the truths from the Bible are “...all things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28), “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1), and “...the Father hath not left me alone” (John 8:29); and also truths from Mary Baker Eddy such as “Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need” (S&H, p. 494), “Too soon we cannot turn from disease in the body to find disease in the mortal mind, and its cure, in working for God” (Mis., p. 343), and “When these things cease to bless they will cease to occur” (My., p. 143), and many others.

Learning to look for the fulfillment and culmination of these truths appearing in daily life, and finding them constantly, has solidified in me a concrete understanding that Christian Science does indeed work without fail, helping me to “Trust in Truth, and have no other trusts.” (My., p. 171) I am grateful for this practice of actively handling doubt as it comes, and for every good and true and inspired idea that I have learned in this wonderful church.

A very powerful Watch statement is from the Glossary in Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy: “Wind. That which indicates the might of omnipotence and the movements of God’s spiritual government, encompassing all things.”

Mrs. Eddy pointed out that Christianity is symbolically one of the four walls of the holy city, in which we live, move, and have our being, and so it feels right at this time to recall some of the great revivals in Christian history that were brought on by extensive, importunate prayer, followed by a “rushing mighty wind,” like the Day of Pentecost, the two Great Awakenings, and the Azusa Street Revival, etc.

We have the duty, the right, and the privilege to command the “four winds” of spiritual dominion to sweep over every square inch of the Earth from every direction, as never before, removing everything unlike itself until Spirit, whose right it is to reign, shall reign.

In her chapter on the Apocalypse, Mrs. Eddy describes what these mighty, world-transforming “winds” carry in their eternal, unstoppable currents: “This sacred city ... ‘lieth foursquare’ ... “Northward ... the North Star, the Word, the polar magnet of Revelation; eastward, to the star seen by the Wisemen of the Orient, who followed it to the manger of Jesus; southward, to the genial tropics, with the Southern Cross in the skies, — the Cross of Calvary, which binds human society into solemn union; westward, to the grand realization of the Golden Shore of Love and the Peaceful Sea of Harmony.”

Let the fourfold wind of Spirit cover the Earth as the waters cover the sea!

Regarding mass-madness and mass-moral-idiocy — Since God is all-knowing, so ignorance and brainwashing of all stripes, no matter how much they appear to be multiplying, are not a part of creation, hence have no origin whatsoever in our parent Mind; and this understanding — that the chaos of many minds against each other and the one Mind that made us mentally upright — can subdue ignorance and mesmeric programming, so that all can be clothed in their right mind, which is Mind.

Scripture teaches us that the insanity of King Nebuchadnezzar and Saul of Tarsus was short-lived.

I am so grateful to learn through Christian Science that I am worthy, and everyone else also is worthy, of God’s Love as my birthright, and that this gives me the dominion to say “No” to my fears. Without this learning I remained easily mesmerized by any false suggestions that false sense threw my way. It is simply exhausting living in fear. To me, that makes it illegitimate, and not a part of our birthright. I learned that even when my knees are shaking, I must know that God is my ever present help and will never leave me. This brings comfort.

There are so many verses in the Bible; for example, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” and also, I like what Mrs. Eddy writes in Retrospection and Introspection on page 61: “Science saith to fear, ‘You are the cause of all sickness; but you are a self-constituted falsity, — you are darkness, nothingness. You are without “hope, and without God in the world.” You do not exist, and have no right to exist, for “perfect Love casteth out fear.”’ God is everywhere. “There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard; and this voice is Truth that destroys error and Love that casteth out fear.”

I am so grateful for this learning because often it is the fear that we need to get rid of in order to live as our Father-Mother wants us to as God’s children. I am so grateful to God, Christ Jesus, Mary Baker Eddy, and all who are demonstrating this Science, to help awaken others to this Truth that makes man free.

I was attracted to the Plainfield Church many years ago because there was a very clear practitioner here — very clear, very strong, very loving. She raised people from the dead, she healed people in the last stages of cancer, and every healing that she experienced was through Christian Science treatment.

Some of those healings were very quick, but some of them took a long time. One of the things I have learned is that sometimes a quick healing is not what I need — sometimes I have to change my thought in order to be more useful to God. Until I do, I need to keep working at it. So, whether I'm healed slowly or quickly is really up to me and my relationship with God. But, whether the healings have been fast or slow, I'm most grateful for the lessons that I have learned.

It reminds me of Jesus healing the ten lepers that passed by. How many of them came back to give thanks, or to learn about what it was that actually healed them? Only one came back. Quick healings are not always the best thing. But God knows what we need! I'm grateful that Christian Science uncovers what needs to be uncovered, changes what needs to be changed, and heals everywhere on this earth — everywhere in the universe.

I'm so grateful to Mary Baker Eddy for discovering this Science, and for having the courage, and the love to put it in a textbook, and teach people, so that all mankind has access now to this Science of Christian healing. The love of God does heal, and Mary Baker Eddy gives us much to work with — it is so provable. I thank God I found this church. It was God’s plan. He knows everyone, everywhere, and I thank God that He takes us in, schools us, and makes us better workers, and better people, and shows us what He made.

Mrs. Eddy sometimes refers to God as the Great Physician. What a wonderful thought! I love to think of that and to also think about the beautiful statement from Miscellaneous Writings, that God’s preparations for the sick are “potions of His own qualities.” Mrs. Eddy counsels us on page 354, also in Miscellaneous Writings, “A little more grace, a motive made pure, a few truths tenderly told, a heart softened, a character subdued, a life consecrated, would restore the right action of the mental mechanism, and make manifest the movement of body and soul in accord with God.” Deeply ponder this! As we become more God-like in our thoughts and in our ways, our body naturally responds to this right thinking by becoming healthier in every way, by expressing graceful freedom of movement and action, and by reflecting the loveliness of God, in a radiant countenance, a loving expression and beautiful form. “As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.” (Psalm 17:15)

Recently, a newspaper has published several articles entitled “Virtue Medicine” which sheds further light on this subject. In this series of articles, it brings out the great importance of expressing such God-like qualities as love, gratitude, joy, forgiveness etc. to bring about a needed healing. These articles give many examples of how, and when these qualities are faithfully expressed the healing results are quick and powerful.

This is further proof of God being the Great Physician. As we demonstrate our oneness with Him by allowing ourselves to become His image and likeness, a tremendous power takes hold. And yes, in so doing, the right action of the mental mechanism is restored, making manifest the movement of body and soul in accord with God, as Mrs. Eddy lovingly instructs us.

Isn’t it wonderful to have such a Great and Powerful Physician as our dear Father-Mother God, one we can turn to any time of the day or night and who always has an answer for any difficulty? Eventually the world will come to realize there is no need for these huge medical centers and a countless number of doctors and operations. We have more than we could ever need or ask for by turning to Almighty God! And so my friend, how true it is, we have much to rejoice in and much to be thankful for!

Always remember to put into practice these words: “Let unselfishness, goodness, mercy, justice, health, holiness, love — the kingdom of heaven — reign within us, and sin, disease, and death will diminish until they finally disappear.” (S&H, p. 248)

Letters of Gratitude

Dear Plainfield Christian Science Church,

Your Roundtables, Sunday services, and Wednesday testimony meetings are helping me in so many ways. Thank you so very much!

Dear Friends,

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for the Roundtable discussions, particularly this Sunday.

The Plainfield church continues to be a fortifying and strengthening offering to all who listen and digest the healing truths of Christian Science presented in a most practical and inclusive way.

I am very grateful for the PlainfieldCS.com carousel and YouTube links contained in each Daily Calendar Statement email.

These selections are a wonderful addition to my daily time with God.

With love and thanks,

I offer gratitude for my practitioner’s teachings, support, and many healings over several years. Because of her dedication and prayer, I am a better worker, student, and watcher, and I have become more conscientious with increased spiritual understanding.

We can and do make progress. For instance, when an error was pointed out to us the other day to pray about, I was able to handle it immediately and dismiss all fear. Doing a watch during the night and early the next morning brought me peace. I am also gaining humility, strength, mental agility, and poise, as well as improved health. How blessed I am and we are, to have this Love, God’s truth always available, and our church is abundantly blessed in having two such practitioners!

I am grateful for Plainfield and for God’s presence and power — the knowledge of which makes plain the need to DWELL IN THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH.

Specific thanks to my Plainfield practitioner for her support and to all the members and supporters of the Plainfield Christian Science Church, Independent.

I'd like to give sincere thanks for the recent Bible Study. What an interesting discussion about why Jesus was not constantly with his disciples during the period between his resurrection and ascension. Thank you so much to Tom and all the participants for an inspiring session.

This week I have been trying to research a little into the story of Zacchaeus in the lesson, and was interested to read that it is a story of humility, because this rich man was willing to climb a tree to see Jesus, despite (possibly) spoiling his expensive clothes, and also not caring if he looked undignified by scrambling up into the tree. The commentary I read said that this humility opened up the way for the transformation of his nature by the Christ when he encountered him. I loved that.

Thank you also for this week’s testimony meeting. In particular, I'm grateful for Craig’s healing of his dog’s limp. I am praying for our young cat, Tiger, who has a problem. I am seeing her as God’s perfect cat, and we are both telling her how loved she is.

We have had a lovely sunny few weeks of spring, and yesterday I saw a mummy duck with eleven tiny chicks on the river — so sweet. Isn't God’s creation just so wonderful?

Sending much love and sincere gratitude,

Thank you and the church for a good Roundtable and Sunday service. I am thankful that you all point out the evil in human thought and how atrocious this has been. I do like to think of the Bible and Mrs. Eddy’s writings having their rightful place in schools of learning. “If the Bible and my work Science and Health had their rightful place in schools of learning, they would revolutionize the world by advancing the kingdom of Christ.” (No and Yes p. 33) and “Children should be allowed to remain children in knowledge, and should become men and women only through growth in the understanding of man’s higher nature.” Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, pg. 62.

I just want to share my appreciation for the Plainfield Christian Science Church.

There is something in the reader’s reading of this week’s lesson that illumines the passages. They seem to have new meaning and insight for me, as though I never heard them before.

I am so grateful for the loving spirit of this Church. Thank you for making everything so available.

With love,

Thank you, Plainfield for your dedication to the Comforter as foretold by God’s first messenger, Christ Jesus, and as established by Mary Baker Eddy, God’s second messenger. I am blest by your dedication and love for all mankind. Thank you for your watches, Bible lessons, website, practitioners, inspired workers, and musicians.

This morning, I have listened to the Bicknell Young article “Day,” the Martha Wilcox article “Body,” the daily watch, and the Bible Lesson and am expressing my gratitude for Christ Jesus, Mary Baker Eddy, the practitioners and workers of the Plainfield Christian Science Church, Independent.

Thank you all for your work in support of the Christ.

Dear Fellow Members,

With great gratitude for all the aids given in this Independent Christian Science Church, I enclose my monthly contribution.

One of the aids I so appreciate is access to the writings of the early workers, those close to Mary Baker Eddy. Besides the uplift and strength we get from the Bible and Mrs. Eddy’s writings, the articles and/or statements from the early workers make the truths practical in our lives.

An example is the following from Martha Wilcox in “The Power of a Right Idea”: “This powerful divine idea that God and man is one inseparable Being, active in human consciousness, is indeed our Saviour.”

With grateful thanks,

I am so grateful to God for all the blessings in my life, both big and small.

I was recently thinking back on an experience and realized what a beautiful demonstration it was. I had a childhood friend that I had lost touch with and, because life was busy, etc., I had really no interest in re-connecting. But one day, I thought of her and that she lived in Nashville, Tennessee. I thought how fun it would be to go visit her and get to see Nashville at the same time.

She graciously welcomed me into her home without skipping a beat. I got to meet her family, and we picked right up where we had left off. Since then, we talk frequently and have gotten to see each other a couple more times. It has been such a blessing in my life to have this friendship, and I know she feels the same way. We both have been going through a lot of stuff since re-connecting, and it has been such a comfort to have her friendship.

I am so grateful for all the friendships I have in my life, not the quantity of them but the quality and how many beautiful qualities they express.

What a perfect example of listening to the direction God sends us and what may seem like a crazy idea can turn into such a blessing for all.

Many thanks for all the encouraging and inspiring instruction at a recent Roundtable. How thrilling it is to hear how lovingly the dedicated Sunday School teachers instill in their students the love of God and show them in practical ways that He is everywhere with them. Because the teachings are freely posted on the church website for anyone to access, this dear love is available to all!

Thank you all for everything you do! I am still out here listening; you are all a blessing to us all!

Maybe someday we will meet. That would be nice. Thanks!

I was thinking of the Max Dunaway poems and am looking forward to getting my copy from Archives. org, as was mentioned. There was so much inspiration from yesterday’s Roundtable and the many topics covered during the one hour; it was truly amazing. I am so happy and grateful to be a member of this church!!

Dear Fellow Members,

Enclosed is my monthly contribution to this Independent Christian Science Church, which I gladly send to support the work of the “remnant.” Here in this place is found a home for all those who seek to learn, know, and demonstrate Mary Baker Eddy’s pure, undefiled revelation of divine Science. And, yes, it is felt to be a “home” for all who come — a place of love, inspiration, fellowship, and hard work that gives a mighty satisfaction like no other.

To all my dear friends at and/or associated with this church, many of whom I may never know, I say “thank you” and best wishes to all!

With love, Virginia

Testimonies of Healing

from L. T. in New York

I laugh at myself sometimes because I remember saying to myself, before my first conversation with my practitioner, “What do I have to lose?” Little did I know that I had a multitude of sin, righteous indignation, hate, revenge, self-hate, self-harm, my false sense of God and so much more to lose, before I could even begin to see the light of day. The only thing that was strong enough to get me out of the place I was in was the power of Christian Science to heal and restore every inch of what was keeping me from knowing and reflecting God.

I tried to run. I tried to deny. I was defiant. I was angry and hurt, but never once did God say, “Okay, I am done with you, this is useless, you are hopeless, I can't help you, you have no value.” I was afraid and God knew it, so He gave me courage and told me, through the story of David and Goliath, that no one ever conquered fear by running away from it. All it took was the stone of faith and the willingness to sling it.

Never once in my twenty years of therapy and disturbing medications, did anyone ever say to me, “God is with you and He loves you and He wants you to make the effort to know Him better so He can help you get through this season. Be still, listen to the teachings, hear His words and I promise you your life will change.” What therapy told me was, “You are broken and you'll always be broken, so take these pills and they will help you manage your brokenness.” This went right along with what I was told as a child, either directly or indirectly, telling me I was useless and deserved to be beaten. I didn't have a voice and I was told, “I am bigger, stronger and wiser, and you must do what I say.”

Christian Science taught me to focus on the true, be steadfast in Truth, abide in Truth, and it taught me what Truth is. It taught me that I am the daughter of the King, created in His image. He is my strength. I have a voice and a purpose. I am valued because He is All.

There is no denying that my life has changed. My perception of the world around me has changed, through the study and practice of Christian Science, which continues to close the gap between my mortal concept of reality and the truth of my being.

Through the mercy and Providence of God, I was led to the Plainfield Christian Science Church. For that beginning and all I have learned along the way, I am forever grateful to God, Christ Jesus, Mrs. Eddy and my Practitioner for her strong, never-ending support, sacrifice, and Love.

from L. S. in New Jersey

I want to share an experience that I hope will be helpful to others. Through the prayers of my practitioner, I was healed of symptoms that are associated with menopause.

Before coming to Plainfield, I started to experience night sweats, hot flashes, and trouble sleeping. There were some other issues also. During a conversation with my Plainfield practitioner, I mentioned these symptoms. After this, the symptoms became milder, and shortly after, they disappeared, including the monthly cycle.

I had been working regularly with my practitioner, which was providing me with a clearer understanding of Christian Science and brought my life in accord with God’s precepts. I was beginning to understand God better and learn who He has created me to be.

I am grateful for this lesson in dominion over mortal so-called laws and belief in aging. My practitioner had me work with pages 244-248 in our textbook, Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy, and apply these statements to myself.

I came across a quote that helped me, titled Notes from a Class by Laura Sargent: “Change of Life: Life is changeless, eternal, ageless, immortal. To believe in change of life, is a disease in itself. My Life always maintains its original, infinite, timeless nature.”

During this time, I found great uplift in my work for God and a new purpose in participating in the Plainfield Christian Science Church, Independent in this mission to bring pure Christian Science to the world.

from C. H. in New Jersey

While on a return car trip home after visiting family in Pennsylvania, with support from my practitioner, my grandson, who was driving, announced that at the next exit there would be a traffic jam, no matter the time of day. I thought to myself, there is no blockage in God’s kingdom so trust everything to God. When we got to the area he was referring to, we went sailing right through. He did not say anything at first, so I said, “That went well,” and his reply was, “That was good,” like he wasn't a bit surprised.

Now, that was a small demonstration of expectation in prayer, but a big deal for me! For some time now I have been working with this truth of no blockage or stoppage in the kingdom of heaven. Thank you, Mother-Father, for always being with us no matter the time or human circumstance.

I also repeated a traveling prayer to my grandson when we started out that day. “Behold, I AM with thee and will keep thee in all thy ways whither thou goest. Emmanuel, God with us. And, I will preserve thy going out and coming in this time forth now and forever more.”

Thank you to my practitioner and the teachings at this dynamic independent Christian Science Church!

from K. D. in California

Struggling with the weight of the world, I told my Plainfield practitioner this morning that today, I would be as the dew of the morning, spreading good cheer and love for my fellow man.

Little did I realize what this fully meant. As I worked my way through the day, working to think outward and to bless others, I was given a realization. When I let my thoughts be taken over by the darkness in the world — by the human mind — my thoughts are going inward; but when I think of others, I make myself receptive to the blessings from God!

I put myself in His hands to unfold His work for the day, and my thoughts were on Him, listening for His direction as to how those around me could be blessed. This enlightened source of thinking was a great blessing to me. I felt so much better, and I was out of that depressing hole of darkness.

Awareness of the source of our thoughts is a subject that has been taught in many Bible Lessons and Roundtable Discussions at the Plainfield Christian Science Church, Independent. I am grateful for understanding this in a new way today.

from J. P. in New Jersey

I am so grateful tonight for all I have learned about Christian Science during my time at this church.

Recently I went to Massachusetts to see my adult children. I need to give gratitude to this church and practitioner support for teaching me how to listen with my spiritual sense so I knew the right days to go, and then the right time to leave that morning, and the type of praying I needed to do before, during, and after the trip, and also how to have my armor on in such situations.

Going into the trip, my kids and I made a few plans on what we might do, but in the evening of the first night, there ended up being a problem severe enough that my daughter felt she needed to file a police report. The events around this were quite stressful for her, and she wasn't sure if it was the right decision, so I began to mentally work for her with truths I have learned here, such as two quotes from Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy: “Honesty is spiritual power” (p. 453) and “Let Truth uncover and destroy error in God’s own way, and let human justice pattern the divine.” (p. 542) I did my best to be a quiet support to her, but the decision needed to be hers and I offered no advice. Once she went through with it, she felt relieved but also a bit of fear.

I told her of a time where my grandfather went through something that could have been dangerous, and when he was asked later on why he wasn't afraid, his answer was, “Why should I be afraid? I didn't do anything wrong.” I let her know that in the same way she had not been the one to do anything wrong in this situation, so there was no need to be fearful. All she could do is tell the truth, which she did, and now she could hold to the fact that she did the right thing. The remainder of the trip went very smoothly.

Through this I could see why I felt led to be there on those days, and I am so grateful for the peace and poise I have gained here which allowed me to be useful during that time, but also gave me the ability to not absorb anything erroneous, so that I could come back here refreshed and ready to work. I thank God for Christian Science, this church, and practitioner support.

from M. M. in Mississippi

About a month ago, after a Wednesday evening meeting, I woke up in the middle of the night feeling very nauseous. It quickly escalated to the point where I needed to run to the bathroom on and off throughout the night. At one point, I even fell asleep on the bathroom floor.

Although I could not remember ever feeling this ill in a very long time, I felt a calmness. This calmness was a result of all I have learned about God from the Plainfield Christian Science Church. My husband woke up due to all the noise I was making and asked me if I needed anything. I asked him for my phone so I could text my practitioner. Once I texted her, I almost instantly felt so much better. I know that was because in reaching out to the practitioner, I was reaching out to God. I got into bed and slept for a very long time. She texted me back: “No plague shall come nigh thy dwelling. Last night can only be a blessing. And this morning God’s Love and Light surround you.” I let her know I was feeling so much better! I rested, and by dinner time, I ate a normal meal.

About a week later I met up with a friend that I had lunch with the week before. She asked me if I got ill that Wednesday. I said yes, and asked her how she knew. She explained that she, along with three other of our friends, had food poisoning. Unlike me, these three people were sick for several days. I was happy everyone was feeling better.

This is a beautiful example of how Christian Science does work. Practitioner’s prayers are effective and God listens, helps, and heals us by showing us what we really are — His beautiful spiritual ideas!

Thank you to my practitioner!

from E. C. in New Hampshire

It has come to me to recount a moral healing that I have experienced. I was once, as Mary Baker Eddy, Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, describes it, “a slave to tobacco.” I was also a social drinker, thinking erroneously that alcohol was a way to ease my shyness in social situations. Through Christian Science, both of these false traits dropped away from me as I increased in my spiritual understanding. Recently, even the belief of caffeine has dropped away.

What a blessing to be free of these things and to find that in social situations, I now find true joy in talking to people on a more meaningful level. I even find that I laugh more, which is one of the reasons that I drank in the first place, because I love to laugh.

In Miscellaneous Writings, page 37, Mary Baker Eddy says, “The appetite for alcohol yields to Science as directly and surely as do sickness and sin.”

I'm so grateful for these proofs of God’s care and for the teachings of this wonderful, provable, Christian Science!

from N. S. in New Jersey

I would like to express my gratitude for all that we are given here in the Plainfield Church, and for Mrs. Eddy’s pure Christian Science we are taught here, and how to apply these teachings in our daily lives. I am also so very grateful for my practitioner’s steadfast prayerful support and instructions, all of which are helping me to draw closer to God, gaining a deeper sense of peacefulness within.

Recently my husband woke up in the middle of the night feeling very unwell. He asked me if I could get him some more blankets as he was extremely cold and was visibly shaking. As I was getting extra blankets, I started to silently declare, “perfect God and perfect man, and you are that perfect man.” As I bundled him up with more blankets, he appeared to be having some difficulty breathing. Instead of becoming fearful, as I would have in the past, this time I just felt a great sense of calm come over me, and I declared firmly that all is well, for God is right here with us. The following Bible passage came to my thought, “The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.” (Job 33:4).

I continued to pray with that verse, and also with the Scientific Statement of Being. Over and over I kept declaring these truths until his breathing became calm and normal, and the shaking stopped. He drifted peacefully off to sleep for the rest of the night and in the morning he woke up perfectly fine with no trace of any illness.

I am so very grateful for this beautiful demonstration of God’s healing power, and for the sense of peace and calmness that I felt during this time, which allowed me to hear God speaking to me and giving me just the right truths that I needed. In the past I would have allowed fear to take over, but because of the strong teachings given here and through Practitioner support I am learning to quickly acknowledge God’s presence and turn to Him for guidance, helping me to calmly face whatever comes my way, knowing that God is right here, ever present, that God is All, and therefore all is well.

from M. E. In Canada

I love the Bible story about the adulterous woman. In that story, when the people said the law of Moses said to stone such people, they asked Jesus what he would do. Jesus said, let him who is without sin among you cast the first stone at her—and no one threw a stone.

This is a good example of something I’m learning here. Mrs. Eddy writes in Science and Health, “If Christian healing is abused by mere smatterers in Science, it becomes a tedious mischief-maker. Instead of scientifically effecting a cure, it starts a petty crossfire over every cripple and invalid, buffeting them with the superficial and cold assertion, ‘Nothing ails you.’” (S&H 460:18-23)

I have been throwing such stones at people because I thought I understood CS, although I just read it. I read it and I believed in it, but many things I didn’t demonstrate yet. Now, I am very happy to learn here at the Plainfield Christian Science Church, Independent and from my loving practitioner that being more humble and more compassionate with everyone is something I have to learn and want to learn, and not throwing stones at others anymore, just because they don’t know Christian Science and think things should go a different way. To learn to be humbler and more compassionate with others is what I am grateful for tonight, and that I am learning this here from all of you.

from N. B. In Texas

I would like to give gratitude for a healing I had last month. My back slipped out of place and was extremely painful. I could barely walk and would sleep most of the day and night to avoid the pain. This went on for weeks. I had experienced healing of this problem last year, so I was wondering why I had to face it once again. I was determined to get to the core issue and correct my thinking about it once and for all.

As I examined my thoughts over the previous month or so, I realized that I had been identifying with my human parents and their character traits. Of course, I was thinking about their good traits, but I had opened the door of my thinking by identifying with my mom’s human personality. And I remembered that she had a back problem for many years that would afflict her occasionally.

So I had some work to do to correct my thinking about my true Parent, who is God. Christ Jesus told us that our parents, brothers, and sisters are those who do the will of the Father. I began to acknowledge this fact. I gave honor to my human parents for taking care of me while growing up, but I needed to give God the credit in everything I did or thought.

I also called my Plainfield Independent practitioner and asked for help. She was very kind and agreed to pray for me. In a couple of days, my back slipped back into place and there was no more pain.

About two weeks later, I awoke to the same problem! At first, I was upset that I was having to deal with it again, this is going to take weeks to heal, this really hurts, etc. But as I lay there, I said out loud, NO! God is my Father-Mother God. I’ve never had a human history of problems of any kind. And I declared that the work had been done by my practitioner, the healing was complete, and it could never be reversed. And just like that, the pain left, my back was completely normal, and I had a wonderful day. And it has not bothered me since.

I am so very grateful for my practitioner and her good work, for Plainfield, for Christ Jesus, and for Mary Baker Eddy, who gave us the Key to the Scriptures, so that we may heal as Jesus and the early Christians did.

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

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