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Advancing in Truth
To the lover of Christian Science it is an oft-recurring joy to find that Bible, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and individual experience bear consistent witness to the truth of being and to one another, and he frequently quotes that familiar passage in Isaiah, beginning, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;" but its very stately rhythm may have been obscured from the unusual order in which the blessings that follow are pronounced. In the natural order of things, we must learn to walk before we can run, and none of us can fly as yet; but in the Scripture the first is last and the last first, constituting an apparent anticlimax: "They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
The writer is glad to testify that on first studying the teachings of our inspired Leader, he was conscious of an exaltation out of the mire of material belief into an ampler, purer, air, up beyond the dark and lowering clouds; above the storm, into the serenity of celestial sunshine. "They shall mount up with wings as eagles." Do we not all know something of this sublime experience? Have we not all felt with Peter, "Lord, it is good for us to be here"? Yes, but not to stay. We must go steadily forward if we are to follow the Master. "Where there is no vision, the people perish." But the glorious glimpse of reality will avail us little, and benefit others not at all, if we are "disobedient unto the heavenly vision." We must "follow the gleam."
The next experience of the writer was to come out from servile bondage to physical affliction which for some years had completely laid him aside, and once more participate in normal activities. "They shall run" from the broad by-paths of sickness and sin to "the way of holiness," of wholeness. But we are all called to a more toilsome experience than this, even the patient, persistent clearing away of all those errors of personal sense which selfishly absorb or carelessly dissipate the light of Truth, in order that we may ever more and more fully express grace, wisdom, power, purity, love, all the manifestations of that Mind "which was also in Christ Jesus." This means habitual work, watchful prayer, walking in the light, walking with God, walking "by faith, not by sight." Along this road we can greatly help and cheer one another, cultivating the sweet influences of loving Christian fellowship, so that each one who is found among us may sing "with a pure, heart fervently," as in Mrs. Eddy's "Christ our Refuge" (Poems, p. 12),—
Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.
October 11, 1913 issue
View Issue-
Renunciation and Realization
HON. CLARENCE A. BUSKIRK
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Consistency
AGNES MORLEY CLEAVELAND
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Behind the Footlights
CORTLANDT MARSDEN
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The Manual in Practise
CHARLES A. BLAKE
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Advancing in Truth
ALBERT P. TILLMAN
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"What lack I yet?"
LENA M. HALL
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A Messianic Mission
ADA JANE MILLER
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Prescience
JOSEPH LEWIS FRENCH
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In a recent issue, the heading "Vegetarianism," there...
Frederick Dixon
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To refer to Science and Health as Mrs. Eddy's Bible is inexcusable,...
Willis D. McKinstry
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In the comments on the essays of the Rev. Mr. Hopkinson,...
John W. Harwood
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The gentleman who tells us, in the California Christian Advocate,...
Thomas F. Watson
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A report in a recent issue alleges that the Rev. R. J. Wade...
R. Stanhope Easterday
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"Wise as serpents"
Archibald McLellan
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Faith and Intelligence
Annie M. Knott
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Human Tendency Redeemed
John B. Willis
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The Lectures
with contributions from John H. Rice, Fred H. Blume, A. H. Sweester
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Admission to Membership in The Mother Church
John V. Dittemore
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When I stop to realize what Christian Science has done for...
Emma C. Johnson with contributions from Edna J. Johnson, Ethel R. Hulett
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It is now six years since I first inquired about Christian Science
H. Faithfull Cumberlege
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When I began the study of Christian Science, nearly fourteen...
Adella C. Sperry
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It is with a deep sense of gratitude to God, that I submit...
Ethel Howard Clarke
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It is a pleasure and privilege to tell something of what...
E. A. S. Whittard
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I am very glad to acknowledge the quick relief which came...
Lillian F. Aiken
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I desire to testify to what Christian Science has done for...
Bessie Cochran Spotswood
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It is with deep thankfulness to God, and sincere gratitude...
Marie Lucille Fry with contributions from Mary A. A. Fry
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During many years I had been suffering from an abscess...
E. T. Monnerat