Article April 17, 1954 Issue

ABILITY TO SPEAK FREELY

KATE HOLLAND PATTON

Christ Jesus could speak freely because love for God and man was ever uppermost in his thought. There must have been complete freedom from self, and a consciousness of God and His spiritual creation only, to have brought forth such ready and helpful answers to the many questions put to him. Jesus never hesitated to speak if he felt that his words were needed and sincerely sought. When one of his disciples said (Luke 11:1), "Lord, teach us to pray," his response, giving the substance of the Lord's Prayer, is reported in three Bible verses (Luke 11:2—4). Every human need is covered in this short, powerful prayer.

Love also prompted Mary Baker Eddy to speak out freely of the healing power of Truth. Even though she was constantly confronted with opposition, she persisted in giving voice to her discovery, and in time many who came to criticize or to scoff at her preaching went away deeply moved and convinced of the spiritual facts she propounded. There was no thought of self with her. She could not be humanly self-conscious because she was God conscious.

It is told in some of the authorized biographies of Mrs. Eddy's life, as, for instance, in "The Life of Mary Baker Eddy" by Sibyl Wilbur (p. 308), that she was once called upon to address a large audience without even a moment's preparation. This happened in a large mid-western city, and it was afterward reported that she held that tremendous audience enthralled with the spiritual message that poured from her lips. When she ended her address, the crowd moved as one toward the platform to speak just a word or to clasp her hand in fervent thanks. Moreover, many instantaneous healings occurred at that meeting.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

ABILITY TO SPEAK FREELY

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access