Article December 14, 1974 Issue

Breaking Iron Shackles

WORTHINGTON G. HURD

Does matter control and dominate our lives? Can we escape from the repressive hold of matter's apparent laws? Or must we meekly submit to the restrictions, diseases, and uglinesses of matter because that's the way life is? Christian Science assures us that we can free ourselves from the bonds of matter. Matter has no legitimate hold over us. God Almighty is the condition and conditioner of all true being.

Paul and Silas were bound by iron shackles in the prison at Philippi until their release was gained through their prayers and the singing of hymns of praise unto God. "And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.... And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go."^{Acts 16:26, 35;} At last the magistrates themselves came, and took Paul and Silas out of the prison.

Peter was released from a similar plight through the prayers of the members of the church at Jerusalem and through his own recognition of "the angel of the Lord." (See Acts 12:3-11.)

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