Article November 11, 1944 Issue

Pouring Out the Oil

LOUISE EVANS HANSCHKE

Preparation for a lecture on Christian Science is a joyous task for those whose privilege it is to extend this hospitality to their community. Each church member endeavors faithfully to bring "all the tithes into the storehouse," as the prophet Malachi adjures us to do, to ensure for all a blessing so large "that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

On one such occasion, the lecture committee of a certain branch church was led to refer the membership to Mary Baker Eddy's definition of "oil" in the Glossary of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." It reads (p. 592): "Consecration; charity; gentleness; prayer; heavenly inspiration." All were urged to let this "heavenly inspiration" guide them in their search for just the right ideas, or tithes, to bring to the preparatory meeting for their lecture.

In compliance with this request one member found herself seeking what the Bible has to tell us about oil. In a very short time she found her "heavenly inspiration" in the story of Elisha and the widow whose sons were to be enslaved for debt. Those familiar with the account will recall that the widow was asked what she had "in the house," and her reply that she had "not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil;" that she was told to borrow many vessels and pour out the oil; that the oil multiplied till no more vessels were available, and she was enabled to sell the oil and pay her debt.

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