Our Journal and Sentinel

Ella W. Hoag

There is no question but that Mrs. Eddy was specifically and divinely guided by God, divine Mind, in her establishment of the various activities of The Mother Church. Perhaps in no one of them has this always been more plainly evident than when she inaugurated The Christian Science Journal and Christian Science Sentinel; and her interest in both these publications ever continued uninterrupted and unabated.

There is probably no Christian Scientist who does not hold these periodicals with some degree of appreciation. That our valuation of our Leader's work in this direction may ever be a progressive one, it may seem wise occasionally to turn thought to them more specifically and allow their meaning and advantages to unfold more fully.

The Manual requires that these publications shall be watched over most carefully, and only the most consecrated dependence on divine Mind can keep them correct in expression of both the letter and the spirit of Christian Science. Earnest Christian Scientists cannot value them too highly, since they are so clearly a part of the weekly and monthly provision whereby God feeds His people with that "bread of life" which is so requisite to constant spiritual progress.

The contributed articles, being the result of the various writers' demonstrations of the truths of Christian Science, must necessarily encourage the reader to press on in similar manner, thus helping to promote unity of thought and action in the field at large, while each testimony inevitably tends to strengthen the faith of every reader. The extracts from letters to the press of the Committees on Publication in the Sentinel cannot fail to be helpful, since they present examples of the wise way to meet any criticism of Christian Science; and the "Signs of the Times," showing as they do the tendency toward Truth of thought in the world to-day, keep the reader inspired with hope, since he knows that such advancement is the work of God, who, through His revelation in Christian Science, is turning and overturning in the human consciousness, that He may reign supreme.

Again and again Mrs. Eddy has spoken specifically of the duty of Christian Scientists to support these periodicals in every possible way. In the Manual we have a very definite By-law (Article VIII, Section 14) and elsewhere her admonitions which are quite familiar to every Christian Scientist, wherein she tells us to subscribe for and read them. Some may not have noted that our Leader does not put any time limit to their value; she does not say that after Christian Scientists have been interested in this subject for some time they will grow beyond the point where the periodicals can be of further advantage to them and therefore they need no longer read them, even though they continue to subscribe for them!

If there are students who imagine they have grown spiritually and mentally beyond the need of the Journal and Sentinel, and if they believe that their own demonstration so transcends that of others that they are no longer where the willing, loving, devoted, God-blessed work of the Christian Science field as found in these periodicals can aid them, might it not be well for them to take advantage of all this higher spiritual vision, and send its fruits in some form of contribution to the periodicals! The Journal and Sentinel being the gifts of our Leader, can our duty in helping to carry on, protect, use, and enrich them ever cease?

Some Scientists seem to fear if they read these periodicals that they are taking time which might be better spent in studying the textbooks. Since reading two pages of the Sentinel and two pages of the Journal each day will cover their content, surely the question of time could never come in to rob any wakeful student of the privilege of thus acquainting and associating himself with the thought of the field; surely every Sentinel and Journal cannot fail to turn every earnest student to the books.

It does not require very much thought to recognize that the arguments against the use of the periodicals are but specious endeavors to rob Christian Scientists of that which cannot fail to strengthen everyone. In "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 262) we read, "Our Journal is designed to bring health and happiness to all households wherein it is permitted to enter, and to confer increased power to be good and to do good;" and is not this certainly still true of both Journal and Sentinel? If there is the inclination lovingly to obey our Leader's commands, the petty suggestions in regard to lack of time, disinclination, personal complacency, personal superiority, will never be able to close the door for any honest worker on this wholesome and helpful provision of God for all Christian Scientists. "Blessed is he that readeth."

Ella W. Hoag

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Editorial

"The former things are passed away"

October 29, 1927

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