It is already being conceded that Christian Scientists are perhaps of all denominations the most constant and devoted students of the Bible, and not only so, but they depend on Truth, or the Word of God, for their health and their deliverance from all forms of error. The question of healing is essentially a vital one, and an object of the deepest research, study, and profound meditation. The correlated study of the Bible and of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," unlocks a great storehouse of wisdom and love, heals sickness and sin, and uplifts and spiritualizes all human consciousness, so that "the world feels the alterative effect of truth through every pore" (Science and Health, p. 224).

It still remains, however, for the human mind to behold with interest and admiration the more complete unfoldment of this wonderful book, the Bible; to see that it is not a mere compilation of the historical narratives of a chosen people, which has been looked upon with a sort of blind fetish-worship; but that in the light of divine Science its spiritual meaning is now being revealed, so that we may understand the one Science—outside of which "all is unstable error" (Science and Health, p. 202). Christian Science is a system of spiritual philosophy which explains with impressive simplicity spiritual causation. Until its advent the whole world had been wrestling with illogical theories and false deductions, trying to reconcile material phenomena with a spiritual Cause. To-day a woman has arisen who, uniting the simplicity of a child with the acumen of a logician, has aroused the world to see that a spiritual cause must have a spiritual effect. Both science and philosophy insist that cause and effect must correspond, and in proportion as this simple yet profound statement is realized, is practised, and lived in Christian Science, the sick are healed, the sinner is reformed, and the kingdom of God appears on earth. This is the truth that makes free; it is the way of eternal life. This is the Logos, the Science which opens the door that no man can shut, through which all must enter into the realm of Spirit, Soul. A "little strength" is gained even in holding on to the letter of the Scriptures, some merit in not denying the name of Christ Jesus, as the angel says to the church at Philadelphia; but woe to those who enter not in at the open door of scientific demonstration, where mysticism and mystery vanish.

We often hear it said among Christian Scientists, how wonderful are our Lesson-Sermons; how they seem to be fitted to our every need—feeding us with the bread of heaven. But is this surprising,—are they not fulfilling the prophecy. "They shall be all taught of God"? Is not the Spirit of truth teaching the world through these lessons?

How expressive of this hour is the story of Noah's experience. In truth, time vanishes,—is seen to be only a "mortal concept;" and in the ever-present now we see a greater than the Noah consciousness, rising higher and higher, proving that "the Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea. than the mighty waves of the sea." Resting after conquest, on the mountain-tops of victory won and exaltation attained, this consciousness sends out the dove, a symbol of love and peace. At first the turbulent sea of mortal thought offers no resting-place to this tender evangel, and it returns to that spiritual consciousness from which it was sent forth, reminding us of what Jesus said to his disciples,—"Into whatsoever house [consciousness] ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again."

How expressive is this lesson of the dove, metaphysically understood, of our dear Leader's pioneer work, when at first there seemed no abiding-place for the heavenly message which is now illuminating the earth—in that hour, to which she pathetically refers when she says that Bronson Alcott, of the Concord school of philosophy, was the first to re-assure her with words of comfort and encouragement. (Pulpit and Press, p. 9.) Then followed further realization of Love's allness, a further grasp of omnipotence and its supreme, omnipresent care of all. The pure, perfect, and immortal was seen to be the only real; then were the sublime declarations of Truth again sent forth, and these returned with the olive branch, testifying to a spiritual receptivity,—consciousness yielding to the divine, making ready for the abiding recognition of ever-present Love. In Jesus' experience, too, an hour came when the Holy Ghost descended like a dove from heaven, and abode on him. Today it comes again in Christian Science "as a permanent dispensation, to remain forever among men" (Science and Health, p. 150).

As our dear Leader has thus touched the thought of universal humanity, changing, uplifting, and spiritualizing it, do we not, as followers, meet the same seeming error, when in our own individual experiences the surging sea of erroneous concepts, the raging waves of materiality try to overwhelm our spiritual perception? How desolate would be those hours did we not know and cling to the rock,—Christ, the spiritual idea,—till we learn that behind the cloud the sun is ever shining, the dove of peace has descended, the storm is stilled. Above the roar, at first faintly, then grandly, sublimely, the voice of Love reverberates throughout the universe, saying, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee."

What a great privilege it is to live in this culminating hour of human history, in which a "peculiar people" is revealed who speak the new tongue of Spirit, which corrects the illusions of a false material sense, which strengthens with the Word of Life, and sustains with the truth of a deathless, progressive existence, eternally in God; comforting with the sweet assurance of Love's all-embracing, tender care; holding up on spiritual pinions the feeble hands, and energizing thought with the declarations of divine reality.

Only through devout consecration to God and humanity can we recompense in a degree our dear Leader for the sore travail through which she has brought to mankind the priceless boon of Christian Science—the Christ ideal—the radiant truth of perfect and immortal being.