Article November 17, 1928 Issue

The Stronghold

PRISCILLA W. OKIE

Mankind longs for a safe retreat, for a stronghold in which protection is assured. Every announcement of a "sure cure" for illness, lack, war, or fear is eagerly investigated, and relied on if it appears to be in the least way plausible. Relief may come; but only temporarily, if the basis of the panacea is material. The true and only method of healing which covers every phase of mortal need is the divine method; and it is not new.

God's law always has been and always will be available to meet the world's needs. Although this law is not new, very often it is the last thing to be tried by matter-seeking humanity. Speaking of this in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy says (p. 427): "Called to the bed of death, what material remedy has man when all such remedies have failed? Spirit is his last resort, but it should have been his first and only resort." Suffering is never of value, unless it shows the utter helplessness of all material methods of relief. Then man's extremity is proved to be God's opportunity; for God's law of Christian Science, rightly applied, destroys the sense of suffering. He who has thus seen the light of Truth, if wise, will not go back again into darkness, but will study the more earnestly to understand and put into practice the rules of the Science whereby he was healed.

The Christian Scientist's stronghold is thus present with him wherever he may be. But just as it would be necessary for him to put his hand trustingly in that of his rescuer had he fallen over a ledge on the side of a mountain, so must the Scientist make the effort to reach up to his heavenly Father for help, and get a strong hold on that never failing right hand of omnipotence. And, oh, how he should strive to cling to it always! He may stumble and fall many times in his climb heavenward, for the pitfalls and dangers seem to be numerous; but always available is that helping hand, waiting to aid the pilgrim on his way! The "strong hold" that Christian Science gives its followers, the hold on the power that is irresistible and omniactive, is the understanding that God is Love and does meet all our needs; that God, good, guides, guards, and governs.

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