Article September 17, 1949 Issue

Teaching the Beatitudes

In her chapter on "Teaching Christian Science" in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy writes (p. 445), "Teach the great possibilities of man endued with divine Science." And she provided for this teaching in the Sunday School when she included among the first lessons that great epitome of divine possibilities which Christ Jesus gave to his followers and which we now call the Beatitudes. Can one conceive of greater possibilities than those herein set forth as divine blessings— blessings naturally attendant upon spiritualized thought and Christianized living? Here are presented blessings infinite, possibilities beyond measure, available to all who accept the Science of Christianity.

Christian Science is essentially a religion of blessings, a religion of spiritual mastery and great possibilities, and children of whatever age should be impressed with this fact on their first introduction to the Sunday School. They should be shown that the truth they learn here will enrich their playtime, their school hours, their sports, their vacations, their friendships, their family relationships, and every activity of their daily living. They should understand, too, that as they practice the Sunday School lessons they have nothing to fear from the future, but on the contrary may look forward to new possibilities throughout their career, even as the boy Joseph, who, though sold into Egyptian slavery, learned, as our Leader says (Science and Health, p.66), that "each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love."

Both Christ Jesus and Mrs. Eddy introduced their teachings with emphasis on the divine blessings. It was early in his public ministry that Jesus gave his followers the Beatitudes; and in the opening lines of the Preface to her textbook Mrs. Eddy points to the fullness of the divine blessings. The spirit of blessedness and joy thus inculcated in the beginning permeates their entire teaching. Among the last words that the disciples heard from their Master was this memorable reminder: "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" (John 15:11). So let us be sure that our pupils from the time they enter the Sunday School are imbued with the spirit of the Beatitudes. Let us be sure, too, that they approach the next lessons in the same spirit so that throughout their study they will grow in understanding of these perennial first lessons.

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