Article September 18, 1915 Issue

The Life-giving Voice

IRVING C. TOMLINSON, M.A.

The vital message given in the fifth chapter of John, "The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live," is a prophecy which was proved true when the dead did hear and heed the voice of Jesus. The widow's son and Lazarus caught the Master's words and arose from the dream of death to life and activity. Those "dead in trespasses and sins" were awakened, the publican and the Magdalen heard the divine message and experienced a resurrection to truer, better living. Even so today the healing truth contained in the Bible and interpreted by the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, is discerned by those morally and spiritually dead and it uplifts them into useful, helpful, joyous living.

The needful condition for the restoration of those who are deadened to health and peace is simply that the voice of Truth be heard and assimilated. St. Augustine thus beautifully phrases it : "Thou dost give audience everywhere, O Truth, to all who ask counsel of thee, and at once answerest, though on manifold matters they ask thy counsel. Clearly dost thou answer, though all do not hear." The action of Truth upon the unawakened is like the raising of a curtain to let in the sunshine, when the darkness necessarily vanishes. So to the open ear and receptive heart of the needy comes the stimulating and corrective voice of Truth, and the work of banishing the darkness of error is silently but surely accomplished. The psalmist says of God, "He spake, and it was done :" that is to say, the spiritual universe, including man, is the speech, the word, of divine Mind, eternal Truth, the one omnipotent God. Because the utterance of the father is clear, distinct, and powerful, so the voice of the true man is spiritual, truthful, and loving. When a son of God so speaks, those apparently dead to Truth hear his voice and live.

The utterance which resuscitates is the voice that has in it the qualities of Truth, of Love, of Life and intelligence. This utterance is free from fear, from human will-power, from materiality of any form or nature. It is the expression of honesty, sincerity, gentleness, compassion, and it bears healing on its wings. The time is coming, and is even now at hand, when the desire of all people will be to echo this voice of Truth which brings to others healing, strength, and joy. The living message contained in the sacred Scriptures, and reaffirmed in Science and Health and the other writings of our Leader, testifies to the ever-presence of the "still small voice" of Truth, and they that hear, live. This life-giving voice is heard by those who attend the Christian Science Sunday services, or who at home quietly and prayerfully study the Lesson-Sermons aright; and all over the world those once deadened to Truth are rejoicing in this new-old message of peace and good will to men.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

"Mental swaddling-clothes"