THREE times Jesus asked Peter the question (John 21:15), "Lovest thou me?" His first reply to Peter's affirmative was the command, "Feed my lambs." The next two answers were followed by the instruction, "Feed my sheep." Peter was grieved, the Bible tells us, because Jesus repeated his question three times.

The Master's followers had learned, in a measure, the great truths of God which sustained them spiritually, but still Jesus insisted that they be fed. Why? Could it have been that Jesus foresaw the apathy which would tempt his followers to fall from joyous service to God into a deadened and dull sense of life, which is contrary to God's will for His children? Does not this question, "Lovest thou me?" hold a lesson for our times?

By offering each other food, the fruits of our study and demonstration, we are able to enrich our brother's fare with fresh inspiration, or to feed a faint hope with courage. Well do I recall when I first began to study the Bible in the light of the revelation given to Mary Baker Eddy, which she has recorded in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." This new way of thinking was as foreign to me as another language, and church attendance on Sunday at a nearby Church of

Christ, Scientist, was at first sought only for the peace which accompanied the service.

However, I was seriously ill, and I lived from one Wednesday testimony meeting to the next, buoyed up each week by fresh hope and an awakening faith in God's ability to heal. The words of inspiration and the proofs of demonstration which members of the congregation offered as testimonials in gratitude to God were actually the food which sustained me during that difficult time.

Jesus knew very well the tempter's claim to stupefy thought newly awakened to Spirit by counter-attractions of materiality. He also realized that those not alert could accept as commonplace the glory of spiritual living unless thought and motive are constantly fed and nourished by fresh inspiration.

Students of Christian Science have much to share. We can never know when the expression of gratitude which we are impelled to offer to God for His goodness may not be the very word of encouragement which another needs. Can we withhold it? "Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences" is Mrs. Eddy's admonition in Science and Health (p. 570). She tells us that millions are hungering and thirsting for this truth of being which we have found blesses us. Jesus said to his disciple (Luke 10:24), "Many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them, and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them." Can we do less than share the proofs of the effectual power of Christian Science?

Is there a lingering fear that we shall be punished by a return of error, if we offer a testimony of gratitude for a healing? The same power that heals, protects. Mrs. Eddy defines the real Church as, "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle" (Science and Health, p. 583); thus Church is created by God, Himself. Then the Father, whose living presence fills Church with love, is constantly protecting His own. If we understand these spiritual facts, no illusion of error can ever attach itself to the thinking of church members. Since evil has no history, it cannot burden, limit, or tongue-tie a congregation. All claims of evil are only phases of the lie which would separate us from God, from the abundant, delightful sense of life which Jesus came to show us. He said (John 10:10), "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

Gratitude for Jesus' mission alone should be great enough and deep enough to form a well of praise from which to draw continually If more gratitude is needed, think of the revelation of Christian Science, which Mrs. Eddy has given to the world. Joy is an eternal, integral element of man's being, and we can never lack gratitude or the ability to express it. God is not voiceless. Nor does He lack a witness. The implusion to be grateful comes from that sense of well-being which is Godlike and cannot be denied expression.

Peter's first answer to his Master was met by Jesus' words, "Feed my lambs." May these not be the same lambs which Isaiah (40:11) tells us God carries in His bosom? The young in Truth? The new in the way? How necessary it is today for us to express that same tender care for those who are "lambs" of God. Let us not fail to offer them the milk of the Word, the warmth of encouragement, the strength of understanding, that they may grow to a full knowledge of Love, which liberates. It is to the Wednesday testimony meetings that many of these new seekers come to hear of God's wonderful works. Let us joyously, freely, offer them the food they desire, as well as share our spiritual sustenance with experienced workers in need of refreshment or healing. There is enough for all. Like the Psalmist, we can say (Ps. 23:5), "My cup runneth over."

Jesus' loving care for his disciples extends to us. He prayed

(John 17:20), "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word." He prepared the way for us. Let us too remember his appeal to

Peter when we go to our Wednesday testimony meeting and give proof of our love by obeying his commands: "Feed my lambs." "Feed my sheep."