Students
of the Scriptures will be helped in their problems, as they study the words of Paul as found in his second epistle to Timothy: "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Occasionally,
people holding to the religious beliefs of the congregations commonly called orthodox, criticize Christian Scientists because of their interpretation of Scriptural passages.
Christian Scientists
have become so accustomed to the hourly giving of thanks for the innumerable blessings constantly unfolding in their lives, that in conforming to the general practise of allotting a certain day for the enjoyment of a season of thanksgiving, they very naturally recall not only the accumulated blessings of the year, but many reasons for special thankfulness at this time.
In
some of the German provinces, many years ago, a legend was cherished that each year, to some home, the home best prepared for him, the Christ-child would come on Christmas-eve and would sup with the family and give to its members the benediction of his presence.
What
a deep meaning the word "giving" has to a Christian Scientist! When we stop to compare our present concept of giving with that which we entertained before studying Christian Science, deep gratitude should fill every heart for the example our Leader has set before us, and her untiring efforts to awaken humanity to the necessity of true giving.
O ye
who abide in the fold's cheery shelter,Protected and fed, snug and safe from the cold,List ye to the sweet loving voice of the shepherd:"And others I have, which are not of this fold.
A discussion as to the nature of hell appeals to mankind in proportion to their ethical mood to receive it, but the essential premise upon which to search for a truthful conclusion concerning it must first include a sympathetic and faith-lighted conception of God and His infinite kingdom of heaven, in order to comprehend understandingly the negative or converse nature of this claim of evil which is commonly styled hell, for its whole pretense, place, and power is the very antipode of God and His creation, even as Jesus said: "A liar, and the father of it.
The presumption of one who undertook, as quoted in a recent issue, to stigmatize Christian Science as unchristian, is equaled only by the degree of ignorance displayed in the attempt to classify it with such utterly dissimilar things as Mormonism, spiritualism, and Brahminism.
At
this season of the year the word Thanksgiving is often heard among American people, and the sentiments associated with the name are without doubt many and varied.
The following testimony is given in grateful recognition of what Christian Science has done and is doing for the writer every day, and in the hope that it may prove a message of hope and encouragement to some one in need of healing.
Having put aside all orthodox beliefs as of no use, as they had failed to bring either health, peace, or comfort, and having read some of the writings of noted agnostics, I accepted their teaching and believed that all of life lay between birth and death, and proceeded to "make the most of it" by drinking, gambling, and leading an immoral life.
In the 28th chapter of Deuteronomy a most beautiful promise is held out to those who shall hearken diligently to the voice of God, and this same promise is repeated again and again all through the Scriptures.
What a wonderful privilege it is to know that God is ever present, all knowing, and all loving, and how tenderly Truth fits us to receive the good which is for us in abundance! Truly it is like the unfolding of the rose, something not to be forced, but as each day brings its share of warmth and sunshine and rain we at last see the perfect flower.
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