Article July 9, 1955 Issue

THE WAY

FREDERIC E. EARLE

As he watched an audience leaving a hall after a Christian Science lecture, a bystander was struck with the serenity and joy which he saw reflected in the faces of many of the people. It seemed to him as if they had found the way of life, as if they had heard something which pleased them very much; and no doubt they had. Many had received a glimpse of God and His kingdom for the first time, and others had renewed their understanding of God or had had misconceptions of Him cleared away. They had received a message of hope, healing, and regeneration; of happiness, success, and expectation of good.

The way which Christ Jesus revealed to his followers showed God as the Giver of all good to mankind. In obedience to God and in unity with Him, Jesus healed sin, sickness, want, and woe. His was a joyous way, though from a material viewpoint it could be considered quite otherwise. But his joy was the result of his consecration to his healing mission. He states (John 15:9-11): "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." Here we see Jesus' expectation that his followers' consecration and obedience to his commands would be accompanied with joy for them.

Mary Baker Eddy did not deviate from Jesus' teachings. In her book entitled "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" she carries on the theme of joyous giving in these words (p. 165): "Thus may each member of this church rise above the oft-repeated inquiry, What am I? to the scientific response: I am able to impart truth, health, and happiness, and this is my rock of salvation and my reason for existing."

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