Article October 9, 1909 Issue

WHY WE SHOULD REJOICE

MABEL ALBERTA SPICER.

On page 15 of our text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, we read, "Christians rejoice in secret beauty and bounty, hidden from the world, but known to God." In Luke's Gospel we are told that when the seventy returned from their mission that it was "with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name." Jesus replied, "Behold, I give unto you power of tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." According to this we are not to rejoice in material prosperity or even physical health, but rather in the possession of the understanding that God is the only power, and that all creation, including man, is subject to this one power alone. The improved material conditions are only "signs following," and not the primary reason for rejoice.

Most of us before learning of Christian Science were in doubt and uncertainly as to the nature of God and His relation to man; or, if we held any fixed opinions of Him, they were of a God who sent or permitted sin, disease, and death. Though we declared Him to be omnipotent, we believed that His plans might be thwarted by the will of mortal man, who had it within his power to estrange himself from his creator for time and eternity; but what great cause of rejoicing have we, when we learn through the teachings of Christian Science that God is the Principle of all good, and that His relation to man harmonious and indestructible; when we learn that sin, disease, and death are not a part of His plan, and that an understanding of God as Principle will destroy these impostors; that evil is not power, and that though the storm may still seem to rage, we are planted on a rock which cannot be moved.

It was this spiritual insight which enabled the psalmist to sing in time of trouble: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains he carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved."

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