Article May 9, 1936 Issue

"The health of my countenance"

ELSIE F. KARTACK

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." It is evident to the earnest student of Christian Science that he cannot be "cast down" or "disquieted" if he is singing praises to God. While he is in the act of singing praises to God he cannot be sad of countenance.

At one time the writer had a helpful lesson bringing out this point. She was hurrying along to the street car on her way to work one severely cold winter morning. For some reason, now forgotten, she was feeling very unhappy and discordant. All of a sudden a cheery voice rang out, "Good morning," and looking up she saw a man with a load of garbage on his shoulder. He was thinly clad, but his countenance beamed with joy. The writer had never seen him before, yet he was wishing her, a complete stranger, "Good morning."

It seemed to her as though she had suddenly caught a little glimpse of heaven. Returning the greeting, she hurried on, but her thought had been stirred from its apathy of ingratitude and discontent. She thought of herself, warmly clad, having just eaten a good hot breakfast, going out to a well-salaried position, yet without joy. Evidently, she needed what he had to give. He little knew how far-reaching was the lesson of that smiling countenance and cheery greeting.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

"The health of my countenance"

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access