Editorial January 22, 1944 Issue

Erasing the Scars of War

John Randall Dunn

It is not surprising to hear that in times of war as in peace, the Bible is and continues to be what is commonly known as the "best seller." In its sacred message of redemption from and triumph over evil, it holds for humanity that "balm of Gilead" which alone can bring healing to battle-scarred men and nations.

On some truths contained in the hallowed pages of this Book of books may all religionists meet— Jew and Gentile, Protestant and Roman Catholic, Hindu and follower of Mohammed. Says Emerson, "Nothing shall warp me from the belief that every man is a lover of truth." Many Christian Science Wartime Ministers and Christian Science chaplains can tell of heartening experiences when men of widely diverging beliefs find themselves on common ground with some Biblical truism or parable. One of these ministers tells of meeting a chaplain who was ill. "Chaplain." said the Christian Scientist, "my church teaches me that the Lord's Prayer, spiritually understood, heals the sick. Now you love this prayer as do I. Let us say it together, slowly, reverentially, believing that such prayer is answered." The other agreed, and these two earnest men met on this sacred ground, and to the astonishment of the attending physician, the healing was accomplished with incredible celerity.

What a meeting place is the Lord's Prayer for the Christian Scientist and the brother who fancies himself opposed to this Science! Generally it is wise to recommend to our non-Scientist friends that the prayer be given slowly, for the tendency of the average mortal is to rush through it with undue speed. Next, let thought be turned to Mary Baker Eddy's inspirational interpretation of this great prayer as it appears on pages 16 and 17 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." Blind, indeed, will be the eyes which do not instantly glimpse the beauty, the practicality, of these spiritually illumined lines. Preceding these, Mrs. Eddy writes (ibid., p. 14), "The Lord's Prayer is the prayer of Soul, not of material sense."

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