Article June 6, 1925 Issue

"The sower soweth the word"

GEORGENE L. MILLER

Among the joyous activities of the Christian Science movement is the distribution of its authorized literature. There is much in this work that is analogous to the stories of the sower as given in two of Jesus' parables,—the parable of the sower and the seed and that of the tares.

In the first parable Jesus pointed out the different ways in which the seed—the Word—would be received, and the different states of consciousness which the seed of Truth seems to encounter. When the printed word is given out, whether it goes into home or factory, club or office, hotel or theater, it meets the doubter as well as the doer, the weak as well as the strong, the selfish as well as the loving, the sad as well as the gay, the hungry as well as the surfeited. It may, however, be noted that in two of the gospels where the parable of the sower is given, it is immediately followed by Jesus' reference to the candle, which must not be hid under a bushel, but set on a candlestick that its light may be seen. It might be inferred from this that the seed is to be sown, just as the light is to shine, that whosoever will may derive the benefit. Even though the giving out of the printed word may encounter difficulties, it is not for that reason to be withheld. Does not the sun shine "on the just and on the unjust"? Paul declared that God "giveth the increase;" the work of unfoldment, of fruition, is not ours, but God's. When God opens a channel for the entrance of His Word, He "giveth light." If a request comes for the literature, through whatever channel, should we not honor it? It is not our work to say who shall be least or greatest in the kingdom of heaven, lest we break the bruised reed and quench the smoking flax. There are times when cold material investigation, mortal mind judgment or procedure, may chill the spark that is kindled and waiting for the fan of Truth to stir it into life and activity. When we are mentally alert to calls for the periodicals, we need have no fear that our gift will be unwelcome or fail to serve its purpose.

Many quiet and unprejudiced thinkers are waiting for words of divine cheer and hope. Verily our periodicals will give them a refreshing drink from Truth's well. On page 262 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy has said of The Christian Science Journal that it is "designed to bring health and happiness to all households wherein it is permitted to enter, and to confer increased power to be good and to do good." May not these words be applied to all our periodicals? Do not we hear of health coming to sick businesses through advertising in The Christian Science Monitor? Is not many a mother made happy when she is able to give her inquisitive boy or girl a copy of this clean newspaper? Is not many a high school student or collegian aided in his work by its sane and scholarly handling of public questions? And is not the same paper healing the world of bad news? How often, too, do we hear of some one who is healed by finding and reading a copy of The Christian Science Journal or the Christian Science Sentinel. Verily, God does give the increase—"some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some and hundred."

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