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"Know thyself"
The pronouncement of the ancient oracle, "Know thyself," takes on a new meaning for the student of Christian Science. To those outside of this teaching the knowing of one's self usually includes a knowledge of the bodily structure, also of the symptoms of disease to which it is supposedly subject, although it is true that many physicians to a large extent discourage efforts to acquire this sort of knowledge. They do so on the ground that it tends to make people morbid, also that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing; yet experience shows that further study along material lines does not make one "healthy, wealthy, and wise," but on the contrary induces fear of disease for one's self and others.
At the same time there can be no doubt that self-knowledge of the right kind is to be desired and sought after, both for the sake of our health and of our moral and spiritual progress. If, for instance, one is attacked by illness or trouble of any sort, a thorough acquaintance with one's mental and spiritual condition is the surest way to get at the root of the discord, and to learn wherein one has failed to respond to the spiritual law which ever makes for harmony.
For enlightenment along this line we cannot do better than to read and ponder our Leader's words at the beginning of the chapter Exemplification on page 86 of "Retrospection and Introspection." Before quoting with approval the motto already mentioned she says, "To energize wholesome spiritual warfare, to rebuke vainglory, to offset boastful emptiness, to crown patient toil, and rejoice in the spirit and power of Christian Science, we must ourselves be true." Then after bidding us become better acquainted with ourselves she says, "Note well the falsity of this mortal self!" She does not stop here, however, but says, "Cleanse every stain from this wanderer's soiled garments, wipe the dust from his feet and the tears from his eyes, that you may behold the real man, the fellow-saint of a holy household."
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August 21, 1915 issue
View Issue-
Teaching in the Sunday School
REV. JAMES J. ROME
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"The great commandment"
RALPH B. SCHOLFIELD
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Man's Heritage of Joy
LOUISE KNIGHT WHEATLEY
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Supply Spiritual
FRANCES A. HALDANE
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Christian Science and the Jew
ISRAEL GITTELSON
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"Ever with me"
ADELA V. SCRIMGEOUR
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The sermon on "Christian Science and Christian Logic,"...
Judge Clifford P. Smith
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A recent issue, reporting the sermon of an evangelist holding...
W. D. Kilpatrick
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I would like to state that the object of my letter in...
J. Arnold Haughton
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A few days ago an item appeared in your paper which...
Robert S. Ross
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A Religion of Work
Archibald McLellan
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"Know thyself"
Annie M. Knott
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Following the Trail
John B. Willis
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The Lectures
with contributions from Francis O. Cass, John E. Lautner, A. P. Sharp, Charles Nickoll, J. A. C. Fraser, C. C. Hearnsberger, John Brown, Alvin Hunsicker
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It is now over eight glad years since I first heard of...
Clara E. Snyder
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It is with a feeling of deep gratitude for the understanding...
Fannie L. Schulze
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Christian Science has cured members of four generations...
Thora B. Buchanan
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For some time I have desired to give my testimony of...
Jennie Hardin Disney
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In the year 1911 my wife, who had been an invalid for...
George D. Burdett
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On Thanksgiving night, 1905, I was at a friend's house,...
Drucilla Hale Collar
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It is with a heart filled with gratitude that I wish to testify...
Friedrich Bergmann
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Christian Science came into my life at a time of great...
Louisa R. Ford
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From Our Exchanges
with contributions from R. J. Campbell, A. B. Curtis