Editorial November 23, 1935 Issue

Deliverance and Thanksgiving

Duncan Sinclair

Throughout the ages the spiritual teachings of the Bible have brought untold comfort to great numbers of the human race. In its inspired pages constant appeal is made to the children of men to put their trust in God's willingness to heal and save, to protect and deliver. Witness, as example, the words of Isaiah: "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear;" and those of the Psalmist, "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust." As the humble in heart have prayerfully turned to helpful passages such as these, their faith in God has been strengthened, comfort has come to them, and, frequently, deliverance from grievous trouble.

Faith in God, and especially the faith induced by Christianity, has done marvelous things. "The history of Christianity," writes Mrs. Eddy on page 387 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," "furnishes sublime proofs of the supporting influence and protecting power bestowed on man by his heavenly Father, omnipotent Mind, who gives man faith and understanding whereby to defend himself, not only from temptation, but from bodily suffering." How faith and understanding have acted as a defense is seen in the history of the early Christian church: the fact of the persistence of the church, in spite of the persecution which was directed against it, is itself proof of the power of the faith and understanding its members possessed. Precisely the same can be said of the Christians of later times. The Pilgrim Fathers, for instance, were divinely guided to seek freedom to worship God in the land of their adoption, and the faith and understanding they had, protected them in the midst of numerous trials.

It cannot be denied that the faith of many Christians throughout the centuries has been crude and weak, because lacking the support of spiritual understanding, that is, understanding of God and His creation. Still, in so far as it indicated trust in good, it helped to sustain those who possessed it. Christian Science throws great light on this question, showing the intimate connection between faith and understanding, and between these and divine protection and deliverance. It gives the student an exact knowledge of God and of His creation and law, whereby his faith in God becomes firmly founded and he is enabled to rise above the false sense of material law which in belief binds mortals to suffering and distress. Faith in God, Spirit, based on an understanding of Him, cannot fail to empower those who possess it to overcome materiality.

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