We must take care of presumption when we measure God's plans by our theories.—GEO. MACDONALD.

THE story of the mother's astonishing request of Jesus, that her two sons might occupy the highest seats of honor in his kingdom, illustrates the fact that error's counterfeits embrace very much more than the seeming things that are comprised in our sense of the material world. It assumes the semblance of unnumbered impulses and activities of Good, and the detection of these more subtle errors calls for a thoughtfulness and refinement of discrimination which was quite foreign to the consciousness of this good woman.

The true man is unrestrained in his expectation, and unreserved in his appropriation of good. The utmost fulness of privilege and richness of supply are his in the promises of Love, and he freely and legitimately claims his glorious inheritance in his Father's name, "Now are we the sons of God."

Error with well-cloaked presumption has often urged a kindred right, and if it expressed the pharisaical effrontery of evil it merited the Master's prompt and annihilating rebuke. But when, as in the case cited, it revealed simply the impulse of stupidity, or the foolishness of ignorance, he met it with patient and tactful instruction.

The woman was kindly shown that the thoughtlessness of her ambition could but deny its satisfaction. So also when Peter impulsively craved the privilege of coming to Jesus on the water, he was permitted to make the trial, and he found in experience the suggestive and reproving answer to his unwarranted request.

The lesson is clear. In Science the door of opportunity is opened only with the key of fitness. "Seeking is not sufficient. It is striving which enables us to enter. Spiritual attainments open the door to a higher understanding of the divine Life" (Science and Health, p. 10).

If with a conscious longing to be good we are prompted to demand the rewards of goodness, it is well for us to remember that virtue never yields its sovereignty and emoluments to good intention, that demonstration never abdicates in favor of a willingness to be benefited, and that presumption is quite as ineffectual in the domain of Love as in the domain of mathematics. The prodigal no doubt retained not a few good intentions while reveling in the indulgence of sense, but he did not catch the vision of home and awaiting Love, until the faithful effort of return had wrought purpose into demonstration.

The right attitude toward Truth's benefactions is attained only when we have fully accepted the fact that it knows no favoritism, recognizes no personality, and rewards merit alone. W.

THERE are many people who, if we may judge from their incidental references to the subject, are very much puzzled over the persistence and growth of Christian Science, and we venture the assertion that in every such instance prejudice, or solicitude for traditional opinions has closed the door against the facts of spiritual healing. He who is willing to recognize these facts and to give his judgment the benefit of their impartial investigation, cannot remain irresponsive to their convincing appeal.

No one has ever outlined a better plan for overcoming incredulity than St. James, when he said, "I will show thee my faith by my works," and a single case like that referred to in the first testimony given in this issue, suffices to prove the unspeakable blessing which the teachings of Christian Science may bring to the helpless and despairing. For obvious reasons the writer of this testimony withholds his name, but he is ready to give detailed and verifying information to sufferers who seek it.

In every part of the world are those who are without God, and without hope of relief from the ills which the inheritance and the indulgence of evil have entailed. And how could any one knowingly deny them that saving from sin and suffering which many have found in Christian Science, when, as in this instance, all other help had failed? And yet this is just what they do, who in their prejudice and misapprehension decry this gospel of good and warn the sick to turn away from its proffered aid. Certainly, though unwittingly perhaps, they would have robbed this poor man and many another of the health and spiritual illumination in which they now rejoice.

Personal influence still holds large sway among men. It gives increased proportions to the possible results of a single individual's resistance to truth, and mightily increases the responsibility of those who indulge the obstinacy of that resistance.

Dun's Review gives the following interesting figures in regard to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, to be held in St. Louis next year:—

"The following comparisons will serve to convey some conception of the magnitude of the forthcoming exposition. The Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia covered 236 acres, the Paris Exposition of 1899-1900, 336 acres, the Columbian Exposition at Chicago, 633 acres. The World's Fair at St. Louis will cover 1,180 acres. The construction cost of the Centennial Exposition was $8,500,000, that of the Paris Exposition was $9,000,000. The cost of the Columbian Exposition was estimated at $18,322,000, and the total cost was $27,250,000. The estimated construction cost of the St. Louis World's Fair is $30,000,000. and its total cost will be upward of $40,000,000 by the time the work is completed. The various states are now rapidly fixing upon their appropriations for the purpose of being fittingly represented at St. Louis. Missouri has voted $1,000,000. Illinois $250,000, as a preliminary expenditure, shortly to be increased; Iowa $125,000, which will probably be increased, and Mississippi, $50,000, the first appropriation of this kind ever made by that state. New York has not as yet made any appropriation, but it is expected that the legislature will see that the reputation of the state for enterprise in such matters is fully maintained."