Article April 6, 1929 Issue

As Little Children

JOHN GERARD LORD

"And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." In this statement the Master sets forth plainly and unequivocally the state of consciousness that must be attained before we can gain entrance to the kingdom of heaven, which Mrs. Eddy defines, in part, as "the reign of harmony in divine Science" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 590). It is well for us, then, to ponder this statement prayerfully and earnestly; for only by so doing can we maintain a correct and scientific attitude toward our fellow-men and our daily activities. Prayerful thought given to this passage in the morning will prepare us for our daily work, and we shall find ourselves going through each day with confidence, serenity, and a loving consciousness that will bring us peace and rest. However strenuous our tasks may seem to be, however aggressively the claims of sense may try to disturb us, we shall go calmly on; and the falsities of error will fall away, leaving us untouched, safe, and free.

Let us consider this blessed quality of childlikeness, and see what it is that Jesus declared so essential to the gaining of the kingdom of heaven. Surely, foremost among the qualities of the child-consciousness is purity. The pure childthrought knows only love, unselfishness, kindness, confidence, faith. It is naturally conscious of and expects nothing but good, anticipates the supplying of its every need, is joyously active in its pursuits, accepts every blessing as its natural right, and has no doubt or care for the morrow. If the child finds itself in difficulties, or if some danger seems to threaten, it will seek refuge and security in the protecting arms of the mother. In short, the child-thought is assured and knows that its every need of love, protection, comfort, food, or whatever it may be, will be provided at the right time and in the right way.

Spiritual confidence is easily attained by children instructed in Christian Science; and they turn unreservedly to the Father and Mother of us all whenever there is a need to be met. They do not require to spend time in argument or in wrestling with error, for their assurance that God is ever and everywhere present is sufficient. They accept the teachings of Christian Science without question; and in such whole-hearted acceptance of Truth what need is there to doubt or to argue? Thus the children readily reach a mental attitude that appears wonderful to the adult.

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