Article July 29, 1905 Issue

The Study of the Lesson

MARY L. BEST.

"READ, mark, learn, and inwardly digest." This command I seem to hear repeatedly in regard to our Lesson-Sermons, and I know that, in proportion as I obey it, there is an increased understanding of the message contained in the Scriptures. Many incidents and experiences in my daily life and work would, probably, pass by unnoticed, and their spiritual import be overlooked, were it not for some words of the Lesson that come at the same time, and teach me just what these things mean. The Lesson thus becomes a teacher and healer, and we cannot afford to neglect it. At first reading a few of the thoughts impress us most, then others at the next reading, and so on, until, when it is finally read at the Sunday service, the bud has developed into full bloom, and our appreciation of the flower is in proportion to our interest in the unfolding of the bud.

One morning before breakfast, I was reading the Lesson on "Mind." A section which explained the difference between immortal Mind-reading and mortal mind-reading (Science and Health, p. 83), was particularly interesting to me, and my earnest desire to discern clearly the difference, was more than usually satisfied at this reading. When the section was finished, I seemed impelled to stop and declare the truth for a patient whom I was helping at that time. Then I went on and finished my reading of the Lesson, I learned afterwards that on this morning the little girl had wakened with a violent headache, and had turned at once, with child-like faith, to God and asked Him to help her. Her prayer for healing, and mine for understanding, uttered at the same time, were both heard and answered. It was the operation of immortal Mind controlling the human mind that led me to declare the truth that morning, and her need was discerned, not by any process of mortal mind-reading, but by immortal Mind, which is ever near, and responds to every call for divine aid. Had it not been for the study of the Lesson I would probably not have received this teaching.

In reading the Lesson we imbibe more of the truth than we are always conscious of, just as the healing effect of truth is experienced even when not fully recognized. I remember once, after having seen a patient receive immediate relief, I was conscious of a great sense of gratitude. Upon analyzing this feeling, I found that my gratitude was not so much because of the healing that had been done,—not that some one had been sick, and was healed,—but rather because of the understanding that there is no sickness, and the peaceful sense I had of God's omnipotence and omnipresence. I could see that this sense was both natural and real.

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