Article December 23, 1911 Issue

THE CHILD AND THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

EMMA E. HAHN.

"In Science and Health (p. 582) we read, as the definition of children: "The spiritual thoughts and representatives of Life, Truth, and Love. Sensual and mortal beliefs; counterfeits of creation, whose better originals are God's thoughts, not in embryo, but in maturity." To mortal sense a child is but the manifestation of the parents' thought; and every sense of discord or harmony in the parent is apt to find its way quickly to the child's consciousness. The same may be said to be true in the case of Sunday school teachers. In Christian Science we are taught to think of the child as God's pure thought, and our effort should ever be to protect this untainted thought from the poisonous darts of error. We, the natural protectors of the child in the Sunday school, cannot allow ourselves to be darkened by any suggestions of error, and thus drag the child down into the mire of material sense. We must change our own concept of the child, and know that God's idea is capable of reflecting intelligence. We shall not then be searching among cobwebs to find some means whereby to simplify or modify the teachings of Science and Health for the children. By presenting the truth in its purity, the unfolding of the child-thought will go on, and its spiritual manifestation touch every heart that is receptive to purity.

If we put Science and Health into the hands of our little ones, and tell them God is intelligence and that they are reflections of all-knowing good, they will at once begin to demonstrate its teachings. When we assimilate the purity taught in our text-book, we shall find ourselves so cleansed of the errors of the flesh that we can meet the sweet purity of this idea of God; and as the old prophet said, "A little child shall lead them." Jesus said, "Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great."

As Christian Scientists we sometimes forget our Leader's words: "Thou shalt not adulterate Life, Truth, or Love,—mentally, morally, or physically" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 67). In Sunday school the system of government is simple; Love is our guide, the golden rule our motto, the Lord's Prayer and the "scientific statement of being" (Science and Health, p. 468) our impetus for action. Let us then get down to actual work in demonstrating the Principle of Christian Science, feeling sure of the infinite Love that embraces all that is true, thus bringing to the little ones the thought of the one intelligence and the consciousness that they reflect the all-knowing Mind. The work of the Sunday school is a glorious work, for the children sow the seed given them. They feel so sure of the Love that protects, and fearlessly talk of this power as something beautiful that they have learned in the Christian Science Sunday school. We cannot, therefore, afford to neglect them, for through their purity of thought this healing gospel is spread throughout the world.

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