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"Be ye clean"
In succeeding ages the call to a high standard has been proclaimed by leaders of men and by spiritual seers. In ancient days came the ringing command from Moses to Aaron and his sons, "Do not drink wine nor strong drink ... when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation." This was an appeal to them to be faithful to their trust when on priestly duty.
To the student of Christian Science the larger question presents itself: Am I not a priest in the sense that I am to worship God, good, at all times, and to manifest His redemptive power in the great congregation of my fellows? To the true Christian Scientist there is no such thing as being off duty toward God and his fellows, and on duty to the lowering call of mortal mind. Mrs. Eddy says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 116), "Never absent from your post, never off guard, never ill-humored, never unready to work for God,—is obedience; being 'faithful over a few things.'" This work for God is, primarily, right thinking, and this post a mental post to be held sacred under all conditions and in all environments. The right thinker, reflecting Truth, does not stoop to wrong actions, for he knows their futile thralldom. To him no temptation is valid, and yielding to it obviously holds no reward.
Christian Science offers that which is genuine in place of its counterfeit. In the Glossary of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 598) Mrs. Eddy thus presents the twofold definition of "wine": "Inspiration; understanding. Error; fornication; temptation; passion." Every time the Christian Scientist studies his books, this study, combined with practice, lifts his thoughts above the arena of material temptation and confirms his upward footsteps. Thus strengthened by the wine of inspiration and spiritual understanding, and equipped with courage for the execution of his daily tasks, he finds himself becoming more and more conscious of the dominion and peace of true manhood, and less and less a prey to temptation and evil passions. He turns to divine Mind for the fidelity and moral courage which lift him above the level of the social drinker, who, not yet utilizing these protective qualities, makes a bid for popularity and business advantage by yielding to the contagion of wrongdoing. Whatever sacrifice of materiality this entails the Christian Scientist finds is more than recompensed by tangible gains in ways that are permanent.
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April 8, 1933 issue
View Issue-
The Mount of Vision
MARJORIE N. BUFFUM
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Reading Our Daily Newspaper
J. ROSCOE DRUMMOND
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A Lesson from the Lean Years
MARY E. TRUITT
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Learning to Lean on God
EDGAR P. WEBER
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International Neighbors
MARY EASTON
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Putting on One's Armor
OLIVER STEVENSON ANNABLE
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"Where are the nine?"
LEAH KING KENNEDY
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Q. E. D. or Proof Positive
GRACE E. PINNEY
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Peace
MARION SUSAN CAMPBELL
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In your issue of February 14 you reported a reverend...
The Hon. C. Augustus Norwood, Committee on Publication of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts,
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Christian Science teaches that God is Spirit, and that His...
Cyril G. Davies, on Committee on Publication
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Under the heading "Thirty Years Ago" an article was...
W. Archibald Wallace, Committee on Publication
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A speaker in your city, discussing Christian healing,...
Joseph G. Alden, Committee on Publication
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True Sustenance
W. Stuart Booth
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"Be ye clean"
Violet Ker Seymer
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The Lectures
with contributions from Margaret Ricks, Ethel Grundy
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When about sixteen years of age I became subject to...
Nella A. West
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Words can never express the gratitude I feel toward my...
Maurine Samson Grantham
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On page 494 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures"...
Edith R. Couch with contributions from J. C. Couch
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I wish to take this opportunity to express my gratitude...
William Chas. Bergman
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It is with gratitude beyond words that I send this testimony
Frances W. Amos
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In March, 1930, I went to a dentist to have my teeth...
Emma A. LaBrecque
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Love Unfailing
EDITH L. PERKINS
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Signs of the Times
with contributions from J. W. F., Frank M. Selover, Bishop of Johannesburg, E. E. Brown, W. P. Merrill, Frederick F. Shannon, L. B. Ashby