Article October 12, 1918 Issue

The Invitation

MABEL REED

Walking through the residential part of a city one morning the writer noticed two children descending the steps of neighboring houses with their school books, evidently just starting for school, and heard one say to the other, "Oh, did you get your invitation?" The other child, catching the note of excitement, called back, "What invitation?" To which the first replied that a girl friend was going to have a party on a certain date, and added, "My invitation came last night." The second little girl immediately lost her bright manner, and with downcast countenance slowly said, "I guess I'm not invited." The little incident made more than a passing impression upon the hearer, for we grown-ups know that these experiences are almost tragic to children.

Later in the same day as the writer was going happily about her work, grateful for health and freedom, and realizing that she owed all, even life itself, to the teachings of Christian Science, she noticed a cripple pass the door of the office in which she was employed, bent on some errand. In the momentary glimpse she caught of his face she was impressed with its sad expression, and the words of the child, "I guess I'm not invited," returned to her as though the lame boy had audibly voiced them. His facial expression indicated that he was aware of the contrast between his own condition and that of those around him.

The writer then allowed herself a few moments to look backward to the time when she, too, thought she was "not invited" to the feast of Love and of the understanding of life and health as taught in Christian Science; when through months that were fast becoming years she suffered distressing pain, and although watched over and cared for by a loving mother was under the fear of early death. The verdict of those consulted had increased her discomfort to the point of terror and lessened her innate courage and stamina with which to combat the illness. And then at last, secretly, because she had like Saul of Tarsus fought and striven against the acceptance of Truth, she began the study of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. Through the reading of this book, at first laborious, but later joyful, the healing was slowly but perfectly accomplished, and she who was in bondage to fear and disease has now for many years enjoyed almost perfect health, great freedom from fear, and—greatest of all blessings—some understanding of the divine Principle of man's being as taught and practiced by Christ Jesus, and revealed anew in Christian Science.

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