Article April 25, 1908 Issue

"SERMONS IN STONES"

REV. MARTIN SINDELL.

In Luke's Gospel we read that when the Pharisees objected to the acclamations of the multitude, on the occasion of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Master said. "If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." According to the Scriptures, it is proper to "rejoice with them that do rejoice." This being the case, Jesus must have rejoiced "with exceeding great joy" on this occasion, for we read that "the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen." It is possible that at this praise-giving moment Christ Jesus experienced the greatest joy of his earthly existence,—joy, because he saw the happiness and gratitude of a vast throng of those who had witnessed his deeds of healing, and because in the midst of a gross materialism the light of Truth and Love had shone with divine power, though "the darkness comprehended it not." This darkness was present in the person of the Pharisees, who were ready, as usual, to find fault with the anthem of praise which rose from the lips of the joyous multitude. Evidently they were jealous of the lowly Nazarene. At any rate, they said to Jesus, "Master, rebuke thy disciples." In modern phraseology their demand might be stated as follows: "Sir, your disciples have gone wild. They are making much ado about nothing. Tell them to be quiet." But Jesus, wiser than his adversaries, knew that the people's gratitude was sincere; hence he replied, "I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out."

If, as Jesus said at another time, "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth," it was imperative that at this time shouts of joy and praise should rend the air, for hundreds in that great multitude had been healed of sin, sickness, and disease; some had even been "raised from the dead." To the Pharisees this praise-service was embarrassing and obnoxious. They doubtless thought, "This thing is going too far. We must stop it, if possible. The idea that so much honor should be shown this peasant from Nazareth! 'Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?' " They knew not the power of Truth realized, even though they had seen this power manifested in healing the sick and raising the dead. Jesus had demonstrated by his "mighty works" that he possessed something which they did not. Neither did they seem to realize that his work in Truth could not pass unrecognized. Its praise must of necessity be sounded. Had not those who seemed to be so happy, and who gladly glorified God because of these mighty works, done as they did, the stones would, even as the Master said, have immediately cried out.

In our day there is likewise a great multitude rejoicing over the presence and manifest power of Christ, Truth. Their songs of praise and words of gratitude ring out with no uncertain sound. Those who oppose Christian Science would have these grateful people to be still, to say nothing about this ever-present, healing Truth which has been revealed through our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, in the "little book," "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." Many who should be the first to accept its teachings seem to be appalled at the rapidity with which it is being accepted by "the common people." They are mystified by its healing, saving power. They fear to tell the glad tidings, lest the gospel of Christian Science should become generally accepted. Even those who are commanded to preach the gospel and heal the sick are slow to accept the whole truth, the undivided garment; hence they fail to proclaim it, and therefore "the stones," those who are identified with material rather than with spiritual things, are crying out, heralding far and wide the gospel which saves "to the uttermost." We may well rejoice that so many of the most widely-read magazines are publishing fine articles on Christian Science. There are also a great many daily and weekly papers which publish lengthy reports of the lectures on Christian Science, besides articles and favorable editorials. By this means far more than those who sit in the churches of our land have "the Word" preached to them. Verily there are "sermons in stones."

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