Article August 15, 1942 Issue

"Freedom from guilt"

RICHARD P. VERRALL

In the tenth chapter of the Gospel of Mark we are told that once Christ Jesus "was much displeased" with his disciples because they rebuked those that brought certain children to him that he might bless them. We read furthermore that the Master said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."

The children of God are ageless, and they express only those qualities that are characteristic of their Maker. Mortals, termed the children of men, of whatever age, must sooner or later be reborn spiritually, and this new birth cannot begin too soon. The writer of the book of Ecclesiastes, in an appeal to the young people of his time, said, "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them." This admonition clearly implies that "the evil days" can be guarded against and forestalled as we gain an understanding of the truth which neutralizes and destroys evil. Only those who acknowledge God as their heavenly Father are equipped to withstand the worldly temptations which beset all who believe in a material origin.

Our revered Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, knew well what Christ Jesus meant by his reference to the children. Pointing to the importance of childlikeness to the Cause of Christian Science, in her First Address in The Mother Church in 1895, she said (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 110), "Beloved children, the world has need of you,—and more as children than as men and women: it needs your innocence, unselfishness, faithful affection, uncontaminated lives."

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