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Which is the Better Way?
Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine.—I Chronicles, 29:11.
Through the materiality of this age we are so accustomed to consider money a well—nigh absolute power, that we do not note its failures; we are not alert in watching the signs of the times. How often do we see the inadequacy of even vast wealth to remove or to alleviate intense physical suffering and deplorable domestic complications, or to heal its possessors and bring to them a sufficient degree of health to permit of their passing their days in even comparative comfort. While their comforts may be greatly enhanced, rich people come up to a stone wall of difficulty as often as do their poorer brothers and sisters. Apparently insuperable difficulties are distributed in human experience with more universal impartiality than is generally supposed.
Two pictures present themselves as I write, which, to my thought, very practically illustrate the superiority of the methods of Jesus over those of mortal man (be he a Croesus or an Esculapius), in meeting all human need. The first case is that of a child born to the purple. The greatness of the father's wealth and the magnificence of his position were subjects of world—wide comment, but neither wealth nor position were adequate to purchase exemption from suffering and sorrow, for he drank as deeply of that cup as is given to humanity to drink. The birth of his child, instead of being a cause for rejoicing, was a source of anguish. Imbecile, deformed, and an acute sufferer, every effort to benefit him proved unavailing. The prayers of the dignitaries of his church, the indefatigable efforts of the most skilled physicians, did not aid the devoted father in his self—sacrificing endeavor to bring succor to his child—the heir to his almost royal titles and vast possessions. Where, then, was the much—vaunted power of money in the presence of such an appalling problem? We willingly admit that it was an auxiliary, through whose aid temporary surcease from suffering might be procured, but toward the establishment of permanent health it was not, nor could it be, a factor. Here, then, was this man, widowed (for his wife had passed on soon after the birth of their son), and worse than childless, with the crowning sorrow that his titles and possessions were to him practically valueless, for he had no direct heir.
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June 3, 1905 issue
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Dynamic Religion
REV. WILLIAM P. MC KENZIE.
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Which is the Better Way?
MARGARET E. EASTON.
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Our Debtors
MARION P. HATCH.
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The Amplitude of Christian Science
GRACE H. WILMOT.
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The New Day
FLORENCE V. EDDS.
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God and His Likeness
John Carveth
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Among the Churches
with contributions from Caleb H. Cushing, Fannie K. Klima, Marion A. Patrick
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The Lectures
with contributions from T. J. Beall, G. H. Slocum, Willis F. Gross
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"God loveth a cheerful giver"
Editor with contributions from F. A. Piper, J. A. Moore, Anna Meehan, Mary Baker Eddy
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A Loving Gift
Laura C. Tucker, Mary Baker Eddy
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The Lesson—Sermons
Archibald Mclellan
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The Reading Room
Annie M. Knott
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The Abode of Mystery
John B. Willis
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Prompt Action
Editor
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Letters to our Leader
with contributions from Mary L. Chewning, Charles H. Mccard, Florence M. Maynard, Grace E. Collins
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When I first heard of Christian Science, soon after...
Annebel H. G. Guilford
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It is a pleasure to acknowledge the great benefits which...
Charles Bonsteel
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I cannot longer refrain from expressing my appreciation...
Tennyson S. Spurlock
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I cannot remember a time when I was not delicate
Annie E. Fitch
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I feel it a duty to contribute my heartfelt thanks for...
Ella E. Lindmeier
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About seven years ago I was suffering from pulmonary...
Mattie Krimer
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Although I first heard of Christian Science about twelve...
Mary E. Hurlburt
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I wish to offer my testimony in loving gratitude for what...
Libble Evarts Allen
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For five months I have been trying to give my testimony...
Annie M. Bayles
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For nearly four years I have known of Christian Science
L. J. Carrano
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I am very grateful for what Christian Science has done...
Alice Thrall Rogan
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I am more than grateful to be counted as one of God's...
Eleanor S. Smith
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The Call
M. E. T.
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From our Exchanges
with contributions from Jenkin Lloyd Jones
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Notices
with contributions from Stephen A. Chase