The Lesson-Sermon

[Written Especially for Young People]

BARBARA D. WILSON

YOUNG Christian Scientists sometimes find it difficult to study the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly as faithfully as they should. In a crowded schedule of schoolwork and homework, social engagements, or business duties, there may seem to be little or no opportunity for such study. Again, one may have the time but may lack the inclination for this study. The young person in business possibly thinks that the hours when he is not employed should be entirely devoted to rest and recreation. Others may think the Lessons uninteresting or hard to understand.

All these arguments, and many more, mortal mind persistently and persuasively employs to keep the students of Christian Science from a daily, systematic study of the Lesson-Sermon. And why should this be so? Because this Lesson, as Mrs. Eddy points out in Article III, Section 1, of the Church Manual, is "a lesson on which the prosperity of Christian Science largely depends."

"The prosperity of Christian Science" means the prosperity of each Christian Scientist, the increase of his spirituality, the broadening of his vision, and the growth of his power to think and act rightly—all of which means the gradually lessening influence and final annihilation of mortal mind and all its attendant discords. Small wonder, then, that evil should fight against this right activity, even as it presumes to fight against all good!

But we must remember that we make our own decisions. Evil may suggest that we neglect our study of this important Lesson; but it cannot make us do this. The decision rests with us alone. Yet, even when we make our decision to devote a reasonable period each day to the study of the Lesson-Sermon, there may come still another argument seeking to impede our progress. This time evil may argue that we lack inspiration during the study.

Are there citations that you have read many times before? Are there passages whose meaning is obscure? What will you do about it? Neglect your study of the Lesson? Will you read it through hurriedly, perhaps, or let your thought wander idly over the things you mean to accomplish during the day, while your eye runs mechanically down the printed page? That is what mortal mind would like to have you do.

But you are not the servant of mortal mind. You are a Christian Scientist, the servant of the Most High, and you have, as Mrs. Eddy says on page 450 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," "enlisted to lessen evil, disease, and death." You are entitled to the inspiration the Lesson-Sermon has to offer you. In the ever new verses of the Bible, and in the sacred pages of Science and Health, there is comfort and healing for you. Take it! It is yours. Nothing can deprive you of it. But you must be willing to take it. It is such a little thing to ask of you in return for all that this study has to offer!

One student found that to pray wholeheartedly for inspiration before commencing her daily study increased her understanding immeasurably. She found, too, that the help of the Concordances and a Bible dictionary increased her comprehension of difficult citations. Often, this extra study shed a completely new light on a verse she had read many times before, and this new light never failed to bring a blessing and practical result with it.

Systematic study of the Lesson-Sermons increases our capacity to help others. If we are students in a Christian Science Sunday School, we find that we have a great many things to contribute to the general discussion each Sunday, for when we prepare our Lesson faithfully and well, we are being taught of God. Divine Mind clarifies our thought, and the more we turn to the one Mind for guidance and teaching, the swifter is our progress Spiritward. Each one must work out his own salvation and prove for himself the truths learned in Christian Science. Our real teacher is God, Truth, and God teaches through all who will listen for His voice.

Then see what a sacred charge is laid upon every pupil in the Sunday school! He must go not just to receive, but also to give; and the thoroughness of his study determines the amount he has to give, while the amount he gives in turn determines the amount of good he can receive.

If we are no longer of an age to attend the Sunday school, then more than ever we need our Lesson-Sermons to guide, counsel, and teach us. In them we shall find the inspiration we must have if we would take our rightful place in church activities, in the home, in business, and in society. All the vital points of Christian Science are covered in these Lessons. We can find the right answer to all our questions in them, for God, the one Mind, is the source of all the truth they contain.

The vision of individual Christian Scientists who, communing with God in sacred solitude, prelude each day's activities with the consecrated study of the Lesson-Sermon—this vision is indeed a beautiful one. Surely the incense of prayer thus offered rises to permeate the atmosphere of human consciousness with blessing and healing!

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