The Class Loves the Beatitudes

A teacher in the Middle West writes about her experience in teaching the Beatitudes to a class of pre-teenage pupils. She has taught them to value the Beatitudes by emphasizing the fact that they were given to us by Christ Jesus, our great Way-shower. Familiarity with some of the events in the life of the Master leading up to his giving of the Sermon on the Mount has helped them to appreciate its lessons. They know where to find the Beatitudes in the Bible (Matt. 5:3–12). Thus they are prepared to turn to them readily and continue to learn more of divine law, which brings unlimited happiness, joy, and goodness into the experience of all who obey it. This they understand to be the significance of the word blessed, which occurs throughout the passages.

From the Beatitudes they learn first of the kingdom of heaven, not as far away, but as within us. They are familiar with the definition of "kingdom of heaven" given on page 590 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, which reads in part, "The reign of harmony in divine Science." And they understand that they can experience this reign of harmony in the proportion that they practice the truths learned in their Sunday School lessons. They know that to be "poor in spirit" they must realize that they need to gain understanding, and so must reject from their thinking such obstructions as disobedience, opposition, and indifference; then the way is open for them to receive the kingdom of heaven.

Next comes the beatitude, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." These pupils talk in their own simple way about the healing effect of the Comforter as revealed by Mrs. Eddy. How they must enjoy these discussions, for the generous thought of the little child readily understands that the Comforter, which divine Love has sent to meet humanity's every need, blesses and comforts all! Such discussions afford an opportunity for pupils to tell something of their own experiences in demonstrating Christian Science and to express their gratitude for Jesus, the Founder of Christianity, and for Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

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October 21, 1950
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