A Christian Science period in the Columbia "Church of the Air" series was conducted from Station WJR, Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday afternoon, May 3, 1942. at one o'clock, Eastern War Time, by Mr. Clarence W. Allen, a former First Reader in a Christian Science church. This program was presented under the auspices of the Committee on Publication for the State of Michigan with the approval of The Christian Science Board of Directors. Mrs. Marian Roberts Sanborn, soloist, was assisted by Mrs. Marjory Nevins, organist.

The program opened with Hymn No. 160 in the Christian Science Hymnal. The words of this hymn were written by Mary Baker Eddy. Then Mr. Allen read selections from the Bible as follows: Isaiah 40:10, 11; 41:10-13; 43:2; Matthew 4:23, 25; 5:1, 2 (to second comma); 7:28, 29; 8:5-10, 13, 18, 23-27; I John 3:1-3. And from the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy: 571:18-19; 454:18-22, 5-10; 380:19-21,28-31; 569: 3-14; 407:6-16; 410:14-17; 574: 27-30; 566:1-24; 225:21-22.

Then a solo, "Behold What Manner of Love," music by Harry Allen Paris, was sung, after which Mr. Allen read an address substantially as follows:

In the allegorical account of creation, when Adam and Eve, acting upon the suggestion of evil, symbolized by a serpent, ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they became afraid and "hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God." The serpent suggested that by accepting materiality they would "be as gods." Instead of authority came fear as the first manifestation of the acknowledgment that there could be a power apart from God. This fear continues to exist today in the consciousness of those who are endeavoring to find release from their difficulties through reliance on their own strength or reliance upon matter. The writer of Proverbs recognized this false sense of dependence, and out of a spiritually exalted experience wrote: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

The authority by which evil, including fear, is overcome is the ever-compelling authority of divine Love. The mission of Jesus was to reveal to anxious and fearful humanity the authority of the heavenly Father, who is Love. He sought neither personal power nor prestige, but always turned men's thoughts away from self to God, teaching his followers to pray, "Thy will be done," and declaring, "I can of mine own self do nothing." It was clear to him that desire for place and power in order to dominate, control, enslave, presents a most destructive phase of evil. This evil has no place in the consciousness which is able to demonstrate the authority of infinite Love to overcome hate and fear.

The spiritual insight of the Master enabled him to prove the Powerlessness of evil to harm those who trust in God. At the same time he realized that evil will appear powerful so long as men believe in its reality, and he saw the fear engendered by this false belief. He warned his disciples of the mental stir that would appear as evil gives place to spiritual truth. He spoke of nation rising against nation; "great earthquakes . . . in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights . . . distress of nations, with perplexity . . . men's hearts failing them for fear."

But with loving compassion he allayed their fear, saying, "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Later he told them that in the world they should have tribulation, but that they were to be of good cheer, because, as he said of his own work, "I have overcome the world."

To the world of today, filled with fear because of the cumulative effects of war in privation, sorrow, separation, fear, and death, there comes the unfolding of God's great love for His creation, through the healing ministrations of Christian Science. In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany," Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, has given hope and comfort to all who are seeking God, divine Love, in these words (pp. 149, 150): "Remember thou canst be brought into no condition, be it ever so severe, where Love has not been before thee and where its tender lesson is not awaiting thee. Therefore despair not nor murmur, for that which seeketh to save, to heal, and to deliver, will guide thee, if thou seekest this guidance."

Christian Science reveals infinite Love as governing the universe, including man. Under the inspiration of this great truth the individual acquires confidence and serenity which preclude fear or anxiety. When we know that our Father, the eternal God, loves us, that Love protects us, and that our eternal selfhood is one with Love, we cannot be afraid. The Psalmist sang: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? . . . Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident."

St. John declared: "God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. . . . There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment." This is the practice of Christian Science: to realize the activity and power of divine Love in overcoming fear and its torment. Divine Love is all-powerful, and all-active. Once its influence enters the human consciousness, it begins to transform that consciousness into the image of the "one altogether lovely." As human thought rises higher and higher in the consciousness of Love, there will be no wars, no strife between individuals or nations. Fear of harm from others will disappear, and men will find their own peace and prosperity in the good of others. Then will be fulfilled the prophecy of Micah: "They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

In an article entitled "How Strife may be Stilled," Mrs. Eddy writes (Miscellany, pp. 278, 279): "The Principle of all power is God, and God is Love. Whatever brings into human thought or action an element opposed to Love, is never requisite, never a necessity, and is not sanctioned by the law of God, the law of Love. The Founder of Christianity said: 'My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.'"

The singing of Hymn No. 10 in the Christian Science Hymnal followed. Mr. Allen concluded the program by reading from the ninety-first Psalm.