Article April 24, 1937 Issue

The Fortress

ELEANORA B. CARR

IT happened that two Christian Scientists were on a holiday in an old town dominated by a picturesque and historical fortress, set on a rock around which the city had clustered and grown up. This ancient citadel had seen many vicissitudes and struggles, in some of which it had not proved impregnable, although no doubt its builders of centuries ago thought that the thick walls of gray stone, perched on a precipitous crag, presented a secure defense against invasion.

The two travelers loved to visit this old town, which held for them happy memories; and they never left it without going to a service held in the Christian Science church edifice, built of the same sturdy gray stone as the castle walls.

One Wednesday, after climbing up to the old fortress and again admiring the fine views from the height, the two Scientists attended a testimony meeting at the Christian Science church in the town. One of the hymns sung that evening contained the words, "A grateful heart a fortress is;" and on this occasion they seemed to have a special message for the visitors. There stood the ancient and historical fortress, a tremendous stronghold, dominating the city and countryside for miles, which had yet at times proved vulnerable under attack. And here was a small body of people gathered together in a building typifying the spiritual stronghold of Truth, to express their gratitude for all that the understanding of Christian Science had done for them. The spiritual unity of these grateful hearts was to them a true covering and defense.

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