ONE of the greatest blessings that the earnest study of Christian Science confers upon the student, and one which is so frequently attested to at the Wednesday evening meetings and in the testimonies published in the periodicals, is the light that Christian Science throws upon the Scriptures, and the uplifting of thought that ensues.

Before taking up this study, the Bible to many had become merely a piece of interesting literature; to others, it had remained a sealed book. What joy and gratitude flood our consciousness as we begin to glimpse the truth of the promises contained therein, and to understand that they are as available to us to-day as ever they were to anyone ! How our heart goes out with gratitude and reverence to Mrs. Eddy for having, through her purity and faithfulness, given us "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," our textbook, to interpret the Scriptures.

Through consecrated searching for the spiritual meaning of the Bible by means of this book and Mrs. Eddy's other works, the student of Christian Science begins to be lifted up, to rise above the material seeming, to become conscious of the infinite possibilities inherent in him as he recognizes the truth of man's spiritual sonship with God, and his Godgiven dominion over all things. With lighter heart and freer step he now sets out to destroy all the gloomy thoughts of sickness, sin, and want which had hitherto held him in bondage. He rejoices to know that it is not the desire of God, who is Love, that one of His children should suffer; and he accepts the inspiring words and the many promises of the Bible as his means of casting out all that tends to drag mankind down to earth.

In Science and Health (p. 241) Mrs. Eddy says: "The Bible teaches transformation of the body by the renewal of Spirit. Take away the spiritual signification of Scripture, and that compilation can do no more for mortals than can moonbeams to melt a river of ice." Continuing faithfully in this purifying work, the student finds himself gradually being lifted up; he no longer accepts material sense testimony as true; and although the problems which confront him may still seem to be many and varied, yet he goes joyfully onward, knowing that victory over all wrong conditions must eventually be his if he perseveres. According to his faithfulness will be the spiritual uplifting and healing. Mrs. Eddy says on page 261 of the Christian Science textbook, "Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts."

There are many instances in the Bible of the beneficent results of lifting up thought. The Psalmist says: "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord." Jesus, our beloved Wayshower, was constantly lifting his own thoughts and those of his hearers above so-called material ways and means, above the belief of material cause and effect to that which is real and true. When thronged by the suffering ones yearning for health and deliverance from their sorrows and sin, did Jesus come down and meet error on its own ground? Did he for a single instant admit the reality of these conditions? No. It is said that he "lifted up his eyes" and prayed, and again that, "seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain . . . and taught them." And we read that the sufferers were healed and the sorrowing comforted.

To the leper who returned to give thanks for his healing, Jesus said, "Thy faith hath made thee whole." The Master's pure thought and clear understanding of God and of man's relation to Him rose above material sense evidence, and destroyed the apparent inharmony, thus setting the sufferer free. Through his elevated understanding of man's God-reflected purity, he was able to say to the sinner: "Hath no man condemned thee? . . . Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." Confronted with the problem of death at the tomb of Lazarus, his friend, he "lifted up his eyes": he rose to the consciousness of eternal indestructible life, and was able to call forth Lazarus, freeing him from the belief of death. Jesus was the Way-shower. Should not we, then, try to folloe his example, and constantly strive to lift our thoughts above the material seeming and so to purify our thinking that we, too, may be able to help our brother out of the false beliefs of suffering and sin?

Surely all who have been gladdened and helped by the Science of the Christ have an earnest desire to aid others to enjoy the healing power of Truth. They wish to awaken weary humanity out of its false dream. How may this be accomplished? Through faithfulness and consecration; for, as our Leader says on page 400 of Science and Health, "By lifting thought above error, or disease, and contending persistently for truth, you destroy error." By purifying thought of false beliefs, the mental atmosphere becomes imbued with love and truth, and even though unknown to us, some fellow-traveler will thereby be drawn to the Christ — led to seek for Truth. Encouraged by our Master's example, obedient to his teachings, made so wonderfully clear through our Leader's gift of her revelation of Christian Science, let us strive to acquire that spiritually uplifted thought which enables us to reject all materiality as unreal, thus proving for ourselves the truth of Jesus' saying, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."