Article August 31, 1946 Issue

Grace Notes

MYRTLE F. WADDELL

One who thoughtfully ponders the first chapter, entitled "Prayer," in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, will find comforting assurance and spiritual enlightenment. This is true, whether it is a beginner seeking for the first time the answer to perplexing human problems or the mature and faithful follower turning with ever-increasing certainty to the blessing of prayer.

In this short chapter thought is spiritually awakened to the meaning and understanding of Jesus' words, "With God all things are possible" (Matt.19:26). Steadily and logically through the pages thought is lifted out of blind belief and materiality to the conclusion that "the highest prayer is not one of faith merely; it is demonstration" (Science and Health, p.16). The chapter closes with Mrs. Eddy's spiritual interpretation of the Lord's Prayer. To the writer no line is more direct in its entreaty than the one which reads, "Give us this day our daily bread." Mrs. Eddy's interpretation, "Give us grace for to-day; feed the famished affections," leads our thoughts from a sense of material need and supply to the real need for grace, that gift of Spirit which is "our daily bread."

Among the beautiful definitions of "grace" given in the dictionary is this: "A virtue or moral excellence regarded as coming from God; a Christian virtue; as, the graces of self-denial, humility, love, etc." Nowhere can we find a better exposition of this definition than in the picture of infinite grace drawn by Christ Jesus in his opening words of the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:3-12). Here, in what are now known as the Beatitudes, the expression of each gracious quality brings its own reward.

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