Article September 13, 1924 Issue

Steps Spiritward

ROSE A. LILLY KEMPTHORNE

The words of the Psalmist, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want," have for centuries encouraged Christians to turn to God in time of trouble. Not, however, until Christian Science was discovered and given to the world by Mary Baker Eddy did mortals have positive and unfailing assurance that their prayers would be answered. The reason for this lack of conviction was, of course, their limited understanding of God and how to approach Him intelligently. While acknowledging with the lips that God is Spirit and All-power, they denied the fact in practice, resorting in time of need to matter, physicians, and drugs, to human economy and policy. Hence the dismal failures to find help and healing, and that resultant echo of Job's wail, "Oh that I knew where I might find him!"

It is usually at the point where material dependencies have failed and hope sinks low, that the individual is ready for Christian Science. As its beneficent light begins gradually to break in upon the darkened consciousness, hope takes the place of despair. Perhaps a long desired physical healing takes place, a sorrow is dispelled, or a financial lack is removed. And through such experiences he learns to turn confidently to God in every need.

Thus a beginning is made in the right direction; but, let him remember, it is only a beginning. He finds sooner or later that the milk up fed the babe will not sustain the adult. He must take up the cross and follow the Christ practically by overcoming a false sense of self and all that pertains thereto. As Mrs. Eddy has sain in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 15): "The new birth is not the work of a moment. It begins with moments, and goes on with years; moments of surrender to God, of childlike trust and joyful adoption of good; moments of self-abnegation, self-consecration, heaven-born hope, and spiritual love."

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