Article March 17, 1923 Issue

Sunday School Work Viewed Through the Lens of Love

M. ETHEL WHITCOMB

Flooded by heaven's sunlight, the Christian Science Sunday School is one of the sweetest and most joyous spots on earth. There God is known and tenderly loved as Father, Mother, All-in-all. In this God-illumined place our children are preparing to become men and women of purest purpose, even humanity's helpers, world workers.

What but the inspiration of Love divine can fit one for the high and sacred task of teaching in the Sunday school! He only is truly ready to be called to this service who, teachable and childlike himself, is found robed in humanity and joy, ever listening for the voice of God to guide him in his every word and act, who, in the spiritual attitude of the great Teacher, is saying in his heart, "He gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak." To such, each Sunday is a new and sacred experience; and he enters upon his work as though for the first time. Because new views are ever being revealed to his prayerful sense, the true teacher never lapses into routine or stagnation. He sees with joy that God's creation is Love-governed, Love-protected, and Love-taught. This vision enables him to sit with the pupils in the kingdom of heaven, to learn with them of the all-knowing, ever present Mind. With no rigidly set methods of procedure, he awaits the coming of the Christ, with its endless variety of ideas. The radiance of Truth, which possibly illumines his face, proves that "whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, ... he shall in no wise lose his reward."

Because the children are learning the vital lesson of Christian healing, their thoughts should be lifted to know God and the healing power of ever present Truth. None are too young for this sacred lesson. A little girl of three years, after attending a Christian Science Sunday School for a few weeks, told her mother, who was ill, that she would help her. After a short time the mother felt the healing power of the presence of the Christ, and inquired of the babe what she had thought. The little girl, in childlike originality, replied: "I said to God, 'God, mamma can't be sick; can she?' God answered, 'No.' And then I said, 'Thank you, God.' " As we think of this loving little heart thanking God we understand better that "of such is the kingdom of heaven."

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