ONE RELATIONSHIP TO NURTURE

Thank you for the article "Prayer for love and progress in China" by Rosalie E. Dunbar in the September 10 ["Putting God first"] Sentinel.

We also need the same measure of spiritual ideas to heal poverty. Genuine economic partnership is based on sound trade practices, comparative cost advantage, and desire for favorable balance of trade. Thoughts of lack, however, would deprive people of the opportunity to grow in ways that bring prosperity to families, businesses, and nations.

We must always thank divine Love for the good we see in every step of progress and affirm that our relationship with God makes all things "work together for good to them that love God" (see Rom. 8:28).

We all have one relationship to nurture among ourselves in the Universe—our relationship with God.

DANIEL OTIENO OKELLO
SUNA-MIGORI, KENYA

WELCOMED DISCUSSION

What a welcome first for the Sentinel—a discussion on vegetarianism [September 10]! Like one of the contributors on TMCYouth.com, I agonised over the commandment "Thou shalt not kill" in relation to meat eating and found my answer on page 514 of Science and Health: "The individuality created by God is not carnivorous ..." I have now been vegetarian for many years and feel that it fits comfortably with Christian Science.

Another contributor on the website commented that Jesus and Mary Baker Eddy both ate meat. Gillian Gill, in her biography of Mrs. Eddy, observed that in her later years very little meat was consumed at Pleasant View (Mrs. Eddy's home). I think that was very progressive for one hundred years ago.

ANNE JESPER
DERBY, ENGLAND

GUIDANCE, NOT STRICTURES

Since several of my friends are either vegetarian or vegan, I appreciated the Sentinel's printing of the discussion on that topic that took place on TMCYouth.com. I also value the fact that the business of the Christian Science Church is to turn us to the "Pastor"—both the Bible and Science and Health —for guidance and inspiration on our individual spiritual journeys, rather than develop strictures about the ever-changing human scene. It makes a thoughtful discussion like this possible.

MERELICE
 BROOKLINE,MASSACHUSETTS, US

INSIGHTS THAT UPLIFT

As soon as the Sentinel is delivered to my home, I read it from cover to cover as I find the ideas so very uplifting. However, it's my careful study of the quotes from the Bible and Mary Baker Eddy's writings, and the application of these ideas to the challenges each writer addresses, that I find particularly enriching and helpful.

James Spencer's article, "Seek God's kingdom first," in the September 10 issue was one of those articles. The clarity with which Mr. Spencer wrote of the cause/effect relationship between God's abundant supply and the meeting of human needs was so clear, appealing, and natural.

Thank you for sharing these wonderful insights that help lift our thinking.

DONALD W. INGWERSON
LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, US

GUESTS AND CITIZENS

Thank you for the issue of September 17 on immigration. Since our family migrated to Australia, from Bombay, India, this issue has been a good reminder of our gratitude for God's law of adjustment in our settling-down process in our newly adopted home country.

The teachings of Christian Science, to which we were introduced in Bombay, have continued to serve as bedrock. They have helped us identify ourselves as "God's guests" during our trips overseas, and as "citizens of the world," when our family migrated.

DEE MAHUVAWALLA
PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Editor's note:

Readers have pointed out that the title of Tony Lobl's September 24, 2007, profile of Donald and Phyllida McAlpine—"Pas de Dieu"—has more than one meaning in French. We intended it to mean "step for God," but have learned that it also can mean "no God." Since God clearly was a presence in the McAlpines' lives, and is very real to us, we regret our attempt at a play on the ballet term pas de deux.

The Sentinel invites your comments. Please include your name, address, and daytime phone number. All letters to the editor are submissions for publication, unless you request otherwise, and are subject to editing for length and clarity if selected for publication. Opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of the Christian Science Sentinel.

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