Testimony of Healing March 30, 1907 Issue

At the close of a year of school work, my gratitude for...

C. F. MacKay

At the close of a year of school work, my gratitude for Christian Science is beyond measure. Well do I remember the time when four o'clock would find me thoroughly discouraged about my work and too weary physically to do anything but go home and rest. Then came this new understanding of God, gained from the study of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, and the joy of making it practical. To know that the Divine activity which brings success and gladness is ever available and ever applicable, and that the utilization of this activity does away with useless endeavor and misdirected effort, was a wonderful blessing in my school life. By knowing that "in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength," and that "the highest and sweetest rest, even from a human standpoint, is in holy work" (Science and Health, p.520); by recognizing that I was a necessary, individual factor in God's universe, and could do intelligently, easily, and joyously whatever was right for me to do, my cloud of weariness began immediately to lift.

One of the most difficult of school problems is usually the maintaining of discipline. Not that there should exist a solemn stillness, produced by fear, but a controlled activity, wherein each pupil is self-governed. It means to have each member of the school actuated by a love for the right, and obedient to his highest sense of right, so that all will be working together in harmony,—no self-will, no interference, no self-seeking, but an earnest, active desire for the manifestation of good. I was led to see that the children were not to obey me personally, but to obey divine Principle; that there was but one right way for me, as well as for them, and that each one possessed the ability to discriminate and to decide aright, as well as the power to follow out this decision. The thought of the universal gift of wisdom and intelligence has also been of great benefit. The pupil could readily understand that what is true for one pupil is true for all, and that this was applicable to the most difficult problems.

We had short morning talks along these lines, and the children (from eleven to thirteen years of age) made splendid efforts and progress toward self-control, individual thought, and individual work. We kept before us constantly the idea of the perfect school, where each member was governed by right, and was strong, courageous, and loving, where dishonesty, evil-speaking, and criticism were shut out, and where all were filled with a sense of love and helpfulness. The result of this regular work has filled me with thankfulness, for the strain attendant upon thinking I had to control these forty restless boys and girls has disappeared. The fear, the fret, and the dissatisfaction has given place to a sense of increasing freedom, both for the children and for myself. The revealing of individuality and self-reliance has been marked in the pupils, and I trust in the teacher, for the promise is, "They shall be all taught of God."

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