Article March 14, 1925 Issue

The Children's Privilege

CHRISTINE WONDERLY

IT has sometimes been observed that young men and young women coming from Christian Science homes, when placed upon their own resources, are confronted with an apparent inability to cope with their problems because they have always depended upon some one else to do their work in Christian Science for them. This serves to bring out the necessity of teaching the child early to do his own mental work. Mrs. Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 37), "It is possible,—yea, it is the duty and privilege of every child, man, and woman,—to follow in some degree the example of the Master by the demonstration of Truth and Life, of health and holiness." In this statement it will be observed that the child is named first. A careful study of the statement reveals the unity of the words "duty" and "privilege." Therefore, if another fulfills the child's duty for him, such a one is at the same time depriving him of his rightful privilege of demonstration.

That it is indeed possible for even a very young child to demonstrate Christian Science has been proved in innumerable instances. A little girl, through simple, helpful conversation with an older member of her family, was encouraged to do her own work of handling discordant conditions attendant upon her school work, with the result that subjects which had at first seemed very difficult were mastered. The lesson the child learned was of untold value. She understood her demonstration, and rejoiced in it. It brought her courage and confidence, with spiritual growth. Physical discord is very quickly overcome by the child who is encouraged to apply his understanding of the truth the very moment the false belief presents itself. If the child is allowed to bring all his problems to his parents for solution, may not this tend to place reliance upon the human parents instead of the infinite Father-Mother God? And then, sometime, if the human parents are not available, the child may have no one to turn to for help. But the Father-Mother God is always available.

Suppose a child learned to recite the rules of mathematics, yet each day brought his examples to his parents for solution instead of working them out according to the law of mathematics, how much benefit would his letter-knowledge be to him when obliged to work out a difficult problem himself? Many an adult has learned that only when he ceases turning to a practitioner to handle every discord, and puts into practice his understanding of Christian Science, does this Christ Science become to him "the living, palpitating presence of Christ, Truth," as Mrs. Eddy so wonderfully expresses it on page 351 of Science and Health. Much seeming indifference might be traceable to the lack of encouragement to apply practically this true knowledge.

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