Article September 1, 1956 Issue

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE ON THE COLLEGE CAMPUS

[Of Special Interest to Young People]

LOIS ARNOLD

A College student who had no religious affiliation decided to visit a Christian Science college organization meeting. The housekeeper, who directed her to the room where the meeting was in progress, volunteered cheerfully: "We're always glad when it's Christian Science night; they don't spill ashes on the floor and burn holes in the carpets."

Inside the room, almost the first thing to attract the student's attention as she sat down was a cardboard placard, suspended from a desk behind which a student was reading aloud from the Bible. The words on the placard were, "God is Love." The student Reader next read selections from the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. The visitor was surprised to find herself agreeing with all that she heard, with the exception of the references to matter, which seemed incomprehensible. What impressed her most was the spirit of reverence and love which the Reader managed to communicate in her reading and bearing.

Later, when an invitation was extended for the sharing of experiences in Christian Science, the visitor was amazed to see one student after another stand up and tell how Christian Science had helped him. Some told of the guidance they had received in school problems and examinations, and others spoke of physical healings. The most compelling quality in the testimonies was the spirit of fervent gratitude, devotion, and love. There was such a pervasive sense of peace and love in the room that for the first time something of the significance of the familiar words (I John 4:16), "God is love," penetrated her thinking. This was appropriate and natural, for she was to read weeks later in the Christian Science textbook (p. 113), "The vital part, the heart and soul of Christian Science, is Love."

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