Article March 5, 1910 Issue

"GIVE, AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN UNTO YOU."

JAMES A. HEMINGWAY.

Many of those who accept the teachings of Christian Science are apt to think, in their early experience in the study of the subject, that the first thing they should use their slight knowledge of Science for is to help them acquire an abundance of material things,—this world's needs, so called. Quite frequently a young student is heard to say, "I must demonstrate more money," etc.; whereas the truth of the matter is that material things cannot be demonstrated. To demonstrate means "to prove," and we cannot prove, through the power of Christian Science, that which Christian Science proves to be unreal, viz., the material, or matter. Christian Science follows the teaching of the Master, and bids us seek "first the kingdom of God and his righteousness;" then, and not until then, will the other things be added unto us. Seeking for the "loaves and fishes" will never help us to acquire that demonstrable knowledge of God which Jesus said is life eternal, and this knowledge must be acquired before we can claim the right to sonship. Only as we arise and go to the Father in understanding, can we realize that all that the Father hath is ours.

The student will solve the problem of overcoming his sense of lack or limitation far more readily if, instead of cultivating a desire for more, he will overcome the disposition to hoard, and give of what he already has. As a rule, we are apt to feel that there is no obligation to give until it becomes evident to the senses that we can afford to do so; whereas we should give first, even though the senses would have us believe that we cannot afford it and that it would be foolish for us to do so. The giving always precedes the receiving. Jesus did not tell us to give after we felt that we could afford to do so. He said, "Give, and it shall be given unto you."

A certain author has said that he could best retain what he learned by giving it to others. One of the English poets said, in enumerating the virtues of an ideal character, "The more he gave away, the more he had." Back of these statements is the scientific fact that we can have only in proportion as we give. The closed hand cannot receive anything, neither can the closed (the withholding) mentality which is evidenced thereby. On the other hand, giving makes us receptive; it is reflecting Love, and loving never fails of its reward. The writer knows of cases of so-called incurable diseases which were completely healed when the patient learned to give of his material means, and "take no thought for the morrow."

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"A GARDEN OF LOVE."
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