"Stranger, thou art the guest of God"

MARGARET W. DYER

"Stranger, thou art the guest of God." What a welcome is found in these closing words from the chapter "Footsteps of Truth" in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 254) by Mary Baker Eddy! Who would not consider it a blessing to find himself a guest in one of the Sanatoriums of our Christian Science Benevolent Association, with its doors flung open wide with a warmth of love and hospitality! Such a happy experience may be ours, for a place has been prepared and is awaiting us, where we may find quiet, rest, and comfort in contemplating "the secret place of the most High." When we leave this hospitable resting place we carry with us its healing beneficence, which will continue to awaken and to inspire.

Many remarkable healings have taken place in our Sanatoriums, and they offer to all who are following the teachings of Christian Science a haven of rest, a place of refuge, a shelter from the storm. Here shall we sing with the Psalmist, "Thou art my rock and my fortress," "a shelter ... and a strong tower." Our Sanatoriums provide desirable and harmonious surroundings, environment, and loving care for those seeking relief from physical difficulties. But this is not their only purpose. They also offer to those who are enjoying health and to active workers in the Christian Science movement an opportunity for quiet and uninterrupted study. These workers, church officers, and practitioners find there valuable advantages for study, meditation, and spiritual refreshment.

Those seeking physical healing are usually more in number than those who go for study and quiet. It is helpful and encouraging to the faithful associates and those in charge, as well as to those who go for healing, to find there happy, joyous members and workers of the Christian Science church organization. Their right mental attitude, their gladsome song of promise and cheer add much weight on the right side.

Financial contributions are not all that we have to give, for we can help support this great work by giving something more than money. Our kindly presence and our consecrated thinking may be added to our contributions. Let us go there, take up our study, make it our home, at least for a few days, if we can stay no longer! Let us share with others the sunshine of our joy, our hope, our health, our confidence in God's great love, and that which has come to us through demonstration of our beloved Leader's wonderful revelation of Truth and its healing of sin, sorrow, sickness, and lack.

Many arguments would hinder us in making use of this gift, such as the suggestion that we do not need a rest; that our homes and surroundings are harmonious and conducive to study and spiritual growth; that we are busy bringing comfort and joy to those around us. But we can let our love and gratitude reach out into a wider field of activity. A smile, a handclasp that speaks of spiritual joy, is often an impetus that spurs a wavering thought to reach the height of demonstration. Students of Christian Science have a deeper realization of this joy through their understanding of God's nearness and allness. In one of her poems our Leader describes such joy in these words (Poems, pp. 30, 31):

"E'en as Thou gildest gladdened joy, dear God,
Give risen power to prayer; ...

Send to the loyal struggler for the right,
Joy—not of time, nor yet by nature sown,
But the celestial seed dropped from Love's throne."

Does it not harmonize with our Leader's plan for the charitable work conducted in our Sanatoriums that the healing work should be supported and strengthened by the gratitude, love, joy, and spiritualized thinking expressed by all the members of its household? One beautiful healing of grief and disappointment was experienced by a guest when a false sense of self was displaced by a genuine desire spiritually to uphold and support the healing work that is so manifest in these Benevolent institutions.

Christ Jesus prepared a morning meal for his beloved disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. He did not need the food for himself, but his tender solicitude for others prompted his loving act. Mary Baker Eddy, who was known for her unselfishness, says in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 247), "The little that I have accomplished has all been done through love,—self-forgetful, patient, unfaltering tenderness." Thus it is when we pursue an unselfish course; we always receive Love's blessing and reward, not alone for ourselves but for all who come under this healing influence.

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