Article October 4, 1941 Issue

Sunday School Notes and Comments

When the writer began to teach in the Christian Science Sunday School many years ago, she turned to the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy for guidance. Desiring to be strictly obedient in following the procedure prescribed by the inspired wisdom of our Leader, she pondered deeply the order in which the "first lessons" were to be taught, as designated in Section 3 of Article XX. Realizing that strict obedience to the Manual is a never-failling source of blessing, she adhered to the order therein, always praying for light and illumination as to the true reason for the procedure. She realized that God had led Mrs. Eddy in her designation of these lessons, and her own work was to follow lovingly. With adherence to the prescribed rule, there began to dawn in her consciousness after many months the inspired reasoning and glorious unfoldment which could have come only through willingness to take each step with the humble, unselfed desire for light. Then the spiritual illumination answered her searching prayer.

Christian Science comes to each one just where he stands mentally at the moment it finds entrance to his thought. He is usually steeped in multitudinous mortal beliefs and theories. Right there appears the command, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:3). "This me is Spirit," Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 467). Thinking begins to awaken. Reason shows that all material beliefs and former teachings must eventually yield to the might which is Spirit, the one God. All the other nine commandments point the need for mental correction and the way out of having other gods before or besides Spirit. Prayerful study reveals the fact that every phase of mortal belief is touched upon or covered in the Ten Commandments. The First Commandment is the foundation of scientific Christianity. Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 340): "The First Commandment is my favorite text. It demonstrates Christian Science."

The abiding consciousness of man's oneness with God is gained through the prayer of both affirmation and petition. The realization of man's inseparability from God is attained and maintained through the prayer of petition for self-renunciation and self-abnegation that God's allness may be understood. This prayer of holy aspiration, dispelling pride and egotism, enables the student to hear God's voice. Then with divine simplicity unfolds the use of the Lord's Prayer.

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