Article May 5, 1928 Issue

"Christ's keynote of harmony"

JESSIE GOODWIN HIGGINS

"Christian scientific practice begins with Christ's keynote of harmony, 'Be not afraid!'" Mrs. Eddy declares on page 410 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." As students of Christian Science, while we may have gone a long way from the deplorable state of fear in which most of us were engulfed when we began this study, we must admit that there is probably still a great gulf between what we know theoretically and affirm frequently and our willingness to put our theoretical knowledge to the test, because we are still in bondage to many forms of fear.

A careful perusal of David's encounter with Goliath, the giant of Gath, as given in the seventeenth chapter of I Samuel, will prove helpful to those who are desirous of making better demonstrations of the power of Truth over error. Perhaps the first thing we notice in this narrative is the youth of David. We marvel that one so young and inexperienced should display such confidence and assurance. How convincingly he presented his credentials; and with what wisdom he selected his simple weapons, whose effectiveness he must have proved in former trials of his courage! And in his declaration to Saul we see the reason for his fearlessness: the Lord, who delivered him "out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear," would deliver him "out of the hand of this Philistine." Not boastfully in his own strength, but "in the name of the Lord," he went forth confidently to battle with error, seemingly impregnable in its armor. There could be but one outcome to one fortified as was David; and so he proved, as we all may, that error, however alarming its guise, can always be destroyed when fearlessly and understandingly opposed.

Impressed as we may be with a false sense of responsibility, our Goliaths seem big to us! We are afraid that our weapons may not prove effective because of our lack of understanding; but when error has assumed such proportions as to seem a veritable giant, then we have to prove that we do trust God, and that we can possess enough understanding to meet the emergency. And when we do this and the victory is seen to be ours, we realize how much we have gained from the experience, and are grateful for it.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
"There is lifting up"
May 5, 1928
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit