Article June 20, 1931 Issue

Signs of the Times

Ira F. Thompson

[Hon. Ira F. Thompson, Judge, District Court of Appeals, in the Masonic Digest, Los Angeles, California]

The thought which prompts the Masonic Digest to print a series of articles from the adherents of different forms of religion giving a reason for the faith that is in them is indeed commendable, and worthy of our most serious consideration and reflection. It is in thorough accord and keeping with an injunction laid upon the students of Christian Science by its Founder, Mary Baker Eddy, in her work, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," on page 444, as follows: "Students are advised by the author to be charitable and kind, not only towards differing forms of religion and medicine, but to those who hold these differing opinions;" and, again, in Science and Health (p. 234): "Whatever inspires with wisdom, Truth, or Love—be it song, sermon, or Science—blesses the human family with crumbs of comfort from Christ's table, feeding the hungry and giving living waters to the thirsty."

As Masons, we are told that the three principal rounds of that theological ladder "which Jacob in his vision saw reaching from earth to heaven . . . are Faith, Hope, and Charity; which admonish us to have faith in God, hope in immortality, and charity for all mankind." We are told also, "The greatest of these is Charity; for our Faith may be lost in sight, Hope ends in fruition, but Charity extends beyond the grave, through the boundless realms of eternity." I have a desire to support my Faith by the exercise of scientific reasoning through a "knowledge of principles or facts" or a study of "accumulated and accepted knowledge" . . . (Webster—definition of "science"). My desire is satisfied in proportion as I mentally perceive and logically deduce that in truth "order is heaven's first law;" that with the Supreme Being there "is no variableness, neither shadow of turning;" and that I, as a son of God, have a place in this grand scheme of things. As I contemplate the glories of the material universe, be it after nightfall when stars and planets become visible to the human eye in magnificent array, or as I stand upon the heights viewing the variety of nature's scenes and sensing the glorious sunshine from illimitable space, and realize that all this grandeur hints the creative and governing power of the one Great Cause or infinite Being or God, my Faith begins to take on the quality of Understanding; and I am satisfied. . . .

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Signs of the Times

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access