Article September 18, 1954 Issue

Instructor and Friend

Christ Jesus moved among men as their highest instructor and their best friend. Patiently, faithfully, lovingly, unswervingly, he labored for mankind. No sacrifice on his part was too great for the fulfilling of his redemptive mission. His faithful follower, Paul, was both instructor and friend. Paul never lost sight of the welfare of those whom he had taught. While establishing the churches, he kept in touch with them by letter, by messenger, or by return visit, encouraging, exhorting, commending, correcting them. Today the rousing yet tender message of the Christ, Truth, comes to mankind through the great work of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. Mrs. Eddy also was both instructor and friend. Always she was alert to the needs of her followers, making every provision for their progress and for the growth of the Christian Science movement.

The Christian Science Sunday School teacher may well follow in the footsteps of these great friends of humanity. The more love the teacher puts into the work, the more effectual is the instruction, for as Mrs. Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 113), "The vital part, the heart and soul of Christian Science, is Love." Spiritual instruction and loving friendship go hand in hand. It is important that the children know that in their Sunday School teacher they have a friend who is deeply interested in them and ready at all times to help them in any situation. The teacher who becomes acquainted with his pupils, learns of their hopes, their plans, their aims and ambitions, their hobbies, and so on, finds special opportunities to help them to apply the lessons in their daily living. Many teachers make a practice of arriving at their posts on Sunday morning fifteen or twenty minutes before the exercises begin so that they may have an opportunity to talk with the children and learn of their interests and activities. A loving note or telephone call on a particular occasion may establish a bond of friendship between the teacher and the home. And an occasional visit at an opportune time has often brought far-reaching and lasting results.

Some time ago a teacher in the Sunday School of a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, made a friendly call at the home of one of her pupils whose mother was not a Christian Scientist. Shortly after the visit the mother began attending the church services. Then she called upon the Sunday School teacher for Christian Science treatment, bought a copy of Science and Health, and subscribed for the Christian Science periodicals. The pupil had a brother who at one time was in the Sunday School but had become indifferent to Christian Science and drifted away. When he observed his mother's genuine interest and saw that she was being greatly helped by her study, he again entered the Sunday School and remained as long as he was eligible. His interest in the study and application of Christian Science has continued.

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