One
of the most familiar Bible texts, and one whose literal interpretation, or rather misinterpretation, has plunged many a suffering mortal into smoldering resentment toward God and the universe in general, is the passage, "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
These
words from the one hundredth psalm,—"It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves,"—with the jubilant note of confident rejoicing over the everlasting mercy and goodness of God, whose "truth endureth to all generations," come as a reproof to those who are struggling with that false sense which so insistently claims to be "ourselves;" while echoing down the ages comes Pilate's question, "What is truth?
When
we first hear of Christian Science healing, we are apt to receive it with wonder and doubt, and when upon further inquiry we are told that this healing is the result of prayer, our wonder and doubt are little lessened; but when we go still farther and take up the study of Christian Science and find what constitutes true prayer, both wonder and doubt vanish.
Interpreted
literally and historically a passage of Scripture has no more power to bring peace and health to sick and sinning mortals than has a quotation from Homer's Iliad or Cæsar's Commentaries.
When Jesus received word from Mary and Martha that their brother Lazarus was sick, he abode two days still in the place where he was and then said to his disciples, "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
The kindly spirit in which the speaker at Christ Church Cathedral touched upon the subject of Christian Science, as reported in The Times, will be appreciated by Christian Scientists.
Apparently our critic is not familiar with the tenets of the Christian Science church as given on page 497 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs.
A sorry spectacle is presented when a preacher so far forgets the example and precept of Jesus as to assail the one class of Christians who are endeavoring to obey the dual, inseparable, and irrevocable command of the Master to preach the gospel and heal the sick.
One who admits that he is mixed as to his concept of the nature of God and His attributes, as does the correspondent in a recent issue, is hardly justified in criticizing the religious views of others.
In
one of his discourses, as found in the twentieth chapter of Acts, Paul reminds his listeners of these words of Christ Jesus: "It is more blessed to give than to receive.
In order to be better prepared to give spiritual help in the Army and Navy through Christian Science literature and in other ways, it is desired to secure the names and present complete mail address of all officers and men in the military, naval, or aero service of the United States and of its allies, who are Christian Scientists or who have shown an interest in Christian Science.
During the time that I have been a student of Christian Science, whenever this teaching has been applied with all sincerity and an understanding of God as Supreme Being and of man's relation to Him, it has never failed.
I have greatly desired to be able to give a complete testimony with unreserved gratitude for the many blessings which I and my dear relatives have received through several years' study of Christian Science, the religion of Truth, Love, and Life.
With a heart full of love and gratitude for all that Christian Science has done for me and mine, I send this testimony, hoping it will help some weary seeker after Truth.
When the truth about God, man, and the spiritual creation came to my notice, I was a man of the world, so to speak, a habitual user of tobacco, addicted to vulgarity and all evil speaking, unconsciously using profane language without any provocation whatever.
It is more than eight years since Christian Science awakened me to the truth about God and man, and so effected a wonderful work in my life, healing me of nervous prostration, or as physicians pronounced it, neurasthenia.
"To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings" is the opening sentence of the Preface to "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs.
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