That the name of an individual is of great significance is brought out in many instances in the Bible. To elucidate this fact, Mary Baker Eddy has included in her book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" a chapter entitled "Glossary." This chapter gives the metaphysical interpretation of many Bible names, thereby showing their spiritual significance and original meaning.

At times of spiritual enlightenment the names of certain individuals were changed, and a more spiritual sense was conveyed by the new name. Familiar to students of Christian Science is the Bible account of the changing of Jacob's name to Israel, when his material sense yielded to a more spiritual sense. With Saul's acceptance of the Christ, his name was changed to Paul; and after his recognition of the Christ, Simon was renamed Peter.

When the disciples came to Jesus, exulting in their ability to heal, our Master responded (Luke 10:20), "Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven."

Their names were not written in heaven as the result of laws of astrology, nor because of predestination. Their names were written in heaven because they had gained a glimpse of man's true nature as the son of God. The Master's words had a much deeper meaning than even the disciples may have perceived.

The healings of the first century of the Christian era are being repeated today, because of Mrs. Eddy's clear understanding of the Christly message. She discovered and founded Christian Science after founded Christian Science after her recovery from a serious accident which the doctors thought was fatal. She recognized the power of God to heal, and perceived that her healing, which seemed miraculous to those attending her, was traceable to divine law. She wrote Science and Health to show others that the Principle and law of healing are available and demonstrable to all and that spiritual healing is possible always.

All who understand the law of God, or the Christ Science, can, by overcoming worldly beliefs, put on the nature of Christ and receive the new name, "Christian Scientist." The Apostle John wrote (Rev. 3:12), "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down outof heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name."

The student of Science knows that he can here and now receive the new name, "Christian Scientist." With this name comes the God-given ability to perform the healings and miracles which we read about in the Bible and which are being repeated all over the world today by students of Christian Science.

Some time a young woman attended her first Christian Science lecture. Filled with gratitude for the beautiful, healing message, at the close of the lecture she timidly found her way to the platform, where she tried haltingly to thank the lecturer. Detecting her false sense of humility, which was really a feeling of inferiority, the lecturer smiled and asked, "What is your name?"

Thinking he had mistaken her for another, she answered, "I am not a member of this church, or even a Christian Scientist; so you would not know me."

Again he asked, "What is your name?"

This time she told him, and he thanked her.

The young woman has never forgotten this incident, because as she left the church, she was filled with joy at the sudden realization that man, the image and likeness of God, is not inferior, but Godlike. As she studied the writings of Mrs. Eddy, she began to ask herself, "What is my true name or nature as a child of God?"

Mrs. Eddy's Christmas sermon, which was delivered in 1888, is most enlightening. The text is from Isaiah (9:6): "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Mrs. Eddy explains (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 161), "To the senses, Jesus was the son of man: in Science, man is the son of God." In speaking of our Master's ministry, she says: "The only record of our Master as a public benefactor, or personal Saviour, opens when he was thirty years of age; owing in part, perhaps, to the Jewish law that none should teach or preach in public under that age. Also, it is natural to conclude that at this juncture he was specially endowed with the Holy Spirit; for he was given the new name, Messiah, or Jesus Christ,—the God-anointed; even as, at times of special enlightenment, Jacob was called Israel; and Saul, Paul."

It is false education and the evidence of the material senses that would make us believe that we are descendants of Adam, bearing his name and nature and woes. The man in the Adam-dream is born of the flesh and inherits all human weaknesses and diseases. He also seems to go through trials and tribulations which often leave him burdened or scarred.

Some of these experiences are labeled mistakes, accidents, misfortunes, illness, sorrow. The dream claims that man can be influenced even by prenatal experience or by subconscious thoughts. These burdens pile up till mortal mind seems to sink into the dust by its own weight.

In awakening to spiritual reality, we lose the false sense of existence and see man as the son of God. When we receive the new name, our lives attest the healing power of God. We understand the truth, the Science which Jesus taught and demonstrated. Mrs. Eddy tells us (ibid., p. 153), "Christian Scientists bring forth the fruits of Spirit, not flesh, and God giveth this 'new name' to no man who honors Him not by positive proof of trustworthiness."

The sixth tenet of Christian Science is a constant reminder to Christian Scientists. It reads (Science and Health, p. 497), "And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure." To express the Mind of Christ is to express our true nature.

As God's representatives on earth, we carry wherever we go such qualities as the order of Principle, the joy of Spirit, the beauty of Soul, the health and vitality of Life, the integrity of Truth, the love of Love, the wisdom of Mind. We bear the fruits of the Spirit: peace and good will to all mankind. We bring each Godlike quality to our daily tasks. By expressing more and more of these attributes in our daily lives we honor God and prove our divine sonship and worthiness to receive the new name.