Article January 10, 1942 Issue

The Hearts of Men Made Ready

MADELYN G. COBHAM

"May God enable my students to take up the cross as I have done, and meet the pressing need of a proper preparation of heart to practise, teach, and live Christian Science!" In this deep, fervent prayer (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 115), Mary Baker Eddy stirs the thought of the student of Christian Science. In these times, when zealous efforts are being made toward material preparedness to combat the so-called forces of evil that seem rampant, what a glorious challenge is this prayer!

It is especially to be noted that Mrs. Eddy asks that God enable her students to "take up the cross" as she had done and "meet the pressing need of a proper preparation of heart." How nobly, and with what fortitude, this brave woman took up her cross, oftentimes struggling alone with its weight along the way; and how patiently and confidently she had prepared her heart to receive the great revelation that is daily, hourly, blessing mankind throughout the world—the revelation of divine Science! This taking up of the cross and preparation of the heart to receive the good which God bestows, is exemplified in the life of the revered Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

The taking up of the cross is a first step towards the preparation of the heart. Students of this Science learn that it means, among other things, detecting the false argument of material sense, denying its seeming manifestation or potency, and effacing it by the conviction and acknowledgment of man's God-given dominion over all the earth. "Praise Him, praise Him," a familiar hymn repeatedly admonishes; and when thought is consecrated to Truth, we know the joy of praising God constantly, for while we are praising God we cannot be tempted to dishonor Him by belief in another power.

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