Article February 4, 1905 Issue

The Influence of Christian Science on the Home Life

NANETTE L. LUTHER

In thinking of the many ways in which Christian Science is uplifting the human race, it seems to me that its influence on the home life is most significant and far reaching. Its purifying effect on the table talk, alone, is doing much toward establishing nobler ideals for our boys and girls, in leading their conversation away from the crimes and other sensational topics which occupy by far the largest, or at least the most prominent, part of the daily papers. Instead of this, thought is turned into more wholesome and instructive channels, toward the beauties displayed by nature in all her varied manifestations, and beyond them to a God of Love. This is certainly a noble work, and it indicates the happier trend of thought in a truly Christian Science home.

To attain the greatest result from Christian science in the home-life, one must begin with the children. The thought of the child is very easily led, as is shown in the following incident. Two little ones were playing with blocks. One, a boy of seven, wished to fill their houses with "block men," and have these houses destroyed by fire, the people perishing in the flames, with the grand rush of fire engines so dear to the heart of a boy; but the little miss of four put her foot down very vehemently with, — "No, Christian Science does not permit us to play that way. What did mamma read us that Mrs. Eddy said about the way we should think? Let's have these people all going to the lake to a picnic, and this will be the house where they eat their good things." The boy waited an instant; then love prevailed, and he replied, "All right, here goes for a grand good picnic." Does not this little incident show mothers how much may be done with only a little effort? Who can tell the good results to be realized after years for these children, by putting into practice the teaching of our Leader relative to the guarding of the thoughts of the children from all discordant beliefs.

Children are also very susceptible to the healing power of Truth. They have fewer doubts to overcome, fewer old beliefs to eradicate, ere they give Christian Science a trial. They enter into it with their whole heart. This is just what Truth requires, hence the rapidity with which they are healed from any manifestations of error. A little one went to bed with every symptom of croup, according to the old thought, and found on waking next morning that it had been entirely overcome by Truth, and that he had slept peacefully all night. He exclaimed, "Mamma, what a good God He is to keep me from the old trouble." Here was a ready acknowledgment that Truth can and will conquer all error.

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