In the forty-fifth psalm we have a wonderful presentation of the spiritual idea, which marks a strong contrast between mortal concepts and that which is conceived of Spirit. The psalmist tells us that he is "inditing a good matter," and he surely is. He says of the ideal man: "Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever." He then goes on to point out the spiritual weapons used by this divine idea, and tells of the prosperity which abides continually with him because of "truth and meekness and righteousness," and of the gladness which is his because he loves righteousness and hates wickedness.

Christian Scientists who are parents know the vital importance of instructing their children in the Scriptures at home, in addition to all that is done for them in the Sunday school. In the Old Testament we find constant admonitions to parents to teach their children the ever presence and all-power of God, and above all else the necessity for obedience to His law. Here it is well to remember that even a thorough acquaintance with the law of God without obedience thereto would be of no avail, nay, it might even beget self-righteousness and vanity, mental conditions against which both adults and children need to guard themselves. It matters not whether we are dealing with sin or sickness, the question is not how much we know about the truth which destroys it but how much of this truth we are demonstrating, and we cannot too often remind the children of this.

We sometimes hear the argument that it is undesirable to tell children about evil, and it may be said that this need never be done if obedience to right were insisted upon by parents and teachers at every step of the way; nevertheless, if unwillingness to obey the divine law presents itself either in the home or in the Sunday school it must be fearlessly met and destroyed by the understanding of Truth. On page 235 of Miscellany Mrs. Eddy deals with this subject in a short article called "Inconsistency," and she illustrates the necessity for uncovering error by a reference to mathematics and presents this question from the standpoint of a mother. "Can I teach my child the correct numeration of numbers and never name a cipher?" This our wise Leader answers by saying, "Knowing that she cannot do this in mathematics, she should know that it cannot be done in metaphysics, and so she should definitely name the error, uncover it, and teach truth scientifically."

The experiences of the present day make it very clear that nothing less than obedience to divine law can save the world, and the perfect obedience needed is impossible without purity and spirituality. Christian Scientists discover this fact in their efforts to heal themselves and others, and they thus learn that what applies in an individual case is no less applicable in dealing with world problems. It would be considered both wicked and cruel to send children out into the cold without sufficient clothing, or to neglect their human needs in any other way, but what of the more serious question of sending them out into the midst of the mortal beliefs of impurity, dishonesty, and selfishness and never teaching them the need of spiritual protection, without which they are never safe, but with which, thank God, they are as safe as was Daniel in the den of lions.

To declare the truth for children without demanding obedience to it, might make them moral weaklings, which would be the case if they were never taught to take their part in the duties of the home and thus get ready for taking their share in the larger problems which include all mankind. It is now very generally admitted that the hard experiences of the present time will have the effect of bringing out a stronger and more self-denying type of manhood and womanhood, and the children should not be allowed to shirk their part in the needed preparation for the service of God and humanity which is even to-day offering such glorious opportunities for rising above everything that would limit and cramp the unfoldment of humanity into the divine likeness. Above all else moral purity is needed, its light shining so clear and bright in the home and community, and even on the battlefields, that those who see it will turn away with loathing from moral uncleanness, whether expressed in thought, word, or deed. Nothing finer can be found in poetry than Tennyson's words which tell us of the knight whose

In helping our children to gird on their spiritual armor we can never do better than direct their thought to the ideal man expressed through Christ Jesus. We read of his perfect obedience to divine law from his boyhood up, and because of this we need not wonder that when he stilled the storm on the Sea of Galilee the astonished fishermen remarked that even the winds and waves obeyed him. He had early learned what it meant to be master of himself, and so all Christendom to-day honors him as the one most worthy to be called Master and Teacher.

In his epistle to the Ephesians St. Paul says: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. ... That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." Then he points out the duties of parents and immediately follows with the demand for all to put on "the whole armour of God," that thus they may be prepared to "stand" at all times. Because of our great love for children we surely cannot fail in doing our very best for them, which means arming them with the truth which is a certain defense at all times and under all circumstances.

Annie M. Knott.