Article March 6, 1920 Issue

What Is Spiritual Uplift?

EDITH J. GUTHRIE

Years ago, when the writer was very young in Christian Science, an inquirer once said to her, "When the people at the Christian Science testimony meetings testify as to their healing, they so often say that they are grateful not only for their healing, but even more so for the spiritual uplifting. What is this spiritual uplift?" The answer was, "Why, it must be the fruits of the Spirit,—love, joy, and peace; that is, the spiritual state of consciousness which accompanies the healing in Christian Science." The inquirer said in after years that she never forgot the childlike simplicity of the answer. The Christian Science textbook then became to her as it has to thousands, the "Key to the Scriptures." It set before her an open door; it lifted her thought into expectancy that through the realization—that is, the making real—of the beautiful and good, sin and sickness would become unreal and pass naturally out of human experience.

In the presence of the little children in the Sunday school, the writer has felt a great sense of spiritual uplift,—an uplifting from materiality. They know so little of the world's evil that they are transparencies through which to look up to the Father's face. In considering the Lord's Prayer with them one Sunday, the question was asked, "When we say together, 'Our Father,' what does that mean?" The answer came immediately, "It means we are all brothers and sisters." "What does that mean?" was the next question. "It means we all love each other." "And what does that mean?" The answer was complete: "It means we are in heaven."

In looking round on their sweet little faces, it could be clearly seen that they were speaking from the standpoint of spiritual intuition and it was a reality to them. As Jesus said, "In heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven." Ever afterwards the opening words of the Lord's Prayer were more precious. Their spiritual significance had been revealed through the mouth of babes. "Our Father which art in heaven." How beautiful! How complete! When these words are repeated in unison after silent prayer at the services, or when contemplated alone, how thought involuntarily reaches out and embraces all. Our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, gives us a further unfoldment in the spiritual interpretation of the Lord's Prayer (p. 16): "Our Father-Mother God, all-harmonious." In that same class the question was also asked, "And how do we know that this is the spiritual interpretation?" "Because," came the quick response, "we can prove it."

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