Our Literature

Editor

This number begins Volume II. of the Sentinel. The table of contents on the cover will be appreciated by all. The use of the smaller type on some pages enables us to insert more matter than formerly.

Progress is the order of the day. The Sentinel will continue its mission of watchfulness and usefulness, untouched and unharmed by foes either in open field or in ambush.

The enemies of Christian Science are hostile to whatever tends to spread its teaching. They bitterly assail the principal book of the Rev. Mary Baker Eddy, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," and seek by every form of denunciation, invective, distortion of its fair meaning, and ridicule, to destroy its effect. How well they are succeeding is evidenced by its increasingly rapid sales. It has reached its 172nd edition.

"Miscellaneous Writings," and the minor books of Mrs. Eddy are in fair proportion with the text-book; a healthy increase in their circulation bearing testimony to their appreciation, and the good work they are doing.

The Quarterly Lesson-Sermons are going out in goodly numbers carrying the Word to the uttermost parts of the earth; but their great mission is only in its infancy. They should reach the masses in their homes regardless of whether there are enough students and investigators in the neighborhood to hold services or not.

The Journal and Sentinel are doing a grand missionary work. All earnest workers and seekers need these hand-in-hand messengers, not only for their own good, but for the use they can make of them in interesting others in the great cause. The world of sickness, sin, and sorrow is calling out for relief. Thousands are asking: Where is our God? They have been taught to look for relief in matter, and its impotence to heal and save is coming to be more and more recognized by earnest, thinking people, and the need of a higher and more efficacious religion as well as pathological system is forcing itself rapidly into consciousness.

Our literature is among the effective agencies in bringing to public attention this better religion and healing system, and hence the deep importance of its wide extension. Gratifying as is its present circulation, there is no cause for lack of alertness and interest in its more rapid increase.

We know well what the open opposition to Christian Science literature is; but are we alert to that which is hidden? Are we watchful of the mental suggestions which are deliberately intended to cause prejudice against it? Do we flatter ourselves that while we slumber the mental suggester, or operator, is not vigilantly and constantly at work? He who claims to be a Christian Scientist, and yet ignores the methods of the mental malpractitioner is not much in advance of non-Scientists in ability to guard against the devices of evil. He has yet to learn a fundamental fact in connection with this mortal existence.

It is not in accord with the teaching of our text-book to assume to wipe all evil aside by the mere mental declaration that all is Good, therefore there is no evil; for evil is a human fact until it is overcome and destroyed by the Scientific methods of divine Truth. Until "the powers of darkness" are destroyed by turning upon them the light of Truth, they remain a condition to which mortals are under bondage and servitude.

Let us not be deceived by these powers of darkness, for in their Satanic stealth they assume the guise of plausibility and good. They could not otherwise deceive.

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