Article April 15, 1933 Issue

Christ Jesus said, "Where two or three are gathered...

DORIS STAPLES WHITTIER

Christ Jesus said, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Truly, there is evidence of the presence of Christ in our Sunday schools. The writer recalls that when a small child, prior to becoming interested in Christian Science, she had been afflicted each winter with a physical difficulty. The first winter she attended the Christian Science Sunday School the error presented itself on a Sunday morning, and she thought she was unable to go to Sunday school; but her parents wisely urged her to attend, assuring her that she would receive help. She obeyed, though rather reluctantly, and during that hour she was healed. This experience is typical of many which are taking place in our Sunday schools throughout the world; and we cannot be grateful enough to our dear Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, for providing means whereby the children can receive early instruction in Christian Science.

What a privilege the teachers and officers of our Sunday schools have in learning with the children lessons of trust, humility, faith, and assurance! Mrs. Eddy tells us in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (pp. 323, 324), "Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea." The teacher must keep his thought consecrated to the truth, so that it will clearly reflect spiritual light. It is his sacred trust to see that nothing can influence the class but good, and to remember that children naturally reflect obedience, attentiveness, reverence, alertness, thoughtfulness, and love. Mrs. Eddy says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 152), "Into His haven of Soul there enters no element of earth to cast out angels." It is for the teacher to know that whatever is not constructive is not to be found in the presence of the Christ, and any seeming manifestation of error must therefore disappear.

It must be recognized that disobedience, mischief-making, irreverence, and inattention are not legitimate. When we attribute to a child any quality which is not like God, we ourselves are bearing false witness, and disobeying one of the Commandments which we hope and expect the children will obey. Let us pray that we may reflect the wisdom which helps the child to love obedience. The ever present Mind that knows all can reveal to the teacher whatever truth is needed to help each child. Care must be taken, however, to adhere strictly to the wise provisions of our Leader, given in the Manual (Art. XX) under the heading, "Sunday School."

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