Journal Herald
Dayton, Ohio

Religion is nothing to be picked lip and used and then thrust aside at man's convenience. It should be a guide through every moment of his life, and that human being is blessed who finds his help and joy in that knowledge of the guiding presence of God which constitutes true religion.

And as religion is not a thing of the moment or of the hour, but should be possessed and used by man continuously, he should study assiduously that which instructs him in it. For no one can think to understand the Bible in a reading. It is a book to be pondered daily, especially that portion of it named the Psalms and the books of the New Testament in which the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and his followers are set forth.

This daily reading of the Scriptures is advisable not so much because it is a duty as because such perusal brings a light to life, brings happiness, brings confidence.

Nor when the book is closed should its counselings be forgotten. A verse selected from the morning's reading and memorized can go with the individual through the day. Repeated frequently, it clears the thought of hate and resentment and sorrow and confusion and fear. In their place it leaves love and delight, joy and harmony and confidence.

God is present in His Word, and in His presence evil fades as gray fog vanishes before the radiance of day.

"Navigation by Christian Science" Captain A. C. Stott, U. S. Navy (Retired)
United States Naval Institute Proceedings
Annapolis, Maryland

The log of the U. S. S.—for Tuesday, April 13, 1909, contains the following record:

Commences and until 4 a.m.— Cloudy with light airs and mist, getting heavier last part of watch.... Steered various courses standing toward Steep Island Pass.

4 to 8 a.m.—Overcast, foggy, misty, cloudy and cool with light drizzling rain last part of watch.

8 a.m to Meridian—Cloudy to overcast with thick fog during watch.

In itself this record is not particularly noteworthy, except for the indications that thick fog and heavy mist prevailed during the entire time covered. Those of us who can claim to be "China coasters,'" however, and any others who care to glance at the chart reproduced herewith will realize that a remarkable bit of navigation is involved in this seemingly matter-of-fact record.

A sturdy old seaman of what we now call the "Old Navy" was in command. As he has now passed beyond the reach of human criticism. I feel free to indulge a long-suppressed desire to tell this story in print, as I have often told it in private conversation. And right here let me pay a tribute to this officer as having been one of the most daring and successful navigators under whom it has ever been my privilege to serve.

Among his peculiarities was a strong belief in Christian Science as the means of solving all difficulties aboard ship.

However, if it was Science that enabled him to navigate the way he did we had to take off our hats to it, and the trip in question I have never been able to account for in any other way than by believing that the skipper got an inspiration from something.

I was new at the navigating game, and did not hesitate to admit to the Captain that so far as I was concerned the safe conduct of the ship through the passages ahead was "by me."... I would have been willing to wait all summer, if necessary, for a few hours of clear weather.

The skipper took a big wicker chair up there, with a copy of ["Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by] Mary Baker Eddy and the Bible, and proceeded to conn the ship, leaving me with the chart down on the lower bridge to estimate our situation as well as I could.

Steep Island Pass is a nice enough landfall in clear weather, but we hit it right in the center through fog so thick you could not see the length of the ship.

When we got down to where we headed in to make Nupi Shan Channel. I again expressed my unwillingness to be associated in any way with the coming disaster, but was received with perfect assurance and a degree of confidence that could not help but be impressive.

For what seemed to me like an eternity after turning northwestward we held on, without a sound but the melancholy call of the leadsman assuring us that there was still water under us, anyway.

Finally, the Captain said, "Stop," then, "Half astern," "Stop." and, "Now look out for the—!" In about a minute a dim shape loomed up ahead, and we made out the flag and stern of the.—and heard her fog bell.

What is the answer? I have been asking myself that these many years. Of course, there was nothing supernatural about it. It was a splendid exhibition of absolute self-confidence, based on long experience and familiarity with the locality, and supported by a faith so absolute that it could not be denied.

The Colonist
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Endurance is the greatest attribute of that courage so necessary for the task that lies ahead, and endurance cannot exist without patience, another word for the grace to persevere.... Man neither rides the whirlwind nor directs the storm. If he is to have that courage that implies the endurance, the patience, and the grace to persevere, he may only be endowed in the plenitude of such possessions if he has faith and confidence in the Lord, who sitteth above the waterfloods. He must put his hand in His hand if he is to go forth undaunted into the pall of darkness which oppresses and disfigures the present era in mankind's upward struggle to the light.

It is not enough to have the iron resolution, the courage and endurance to meet all terrorism, all threats of worse to come; to triumph over all physical weaknesses, even death itself, however far and wide it may be spread. There must be, too, the spiritual strength if the uses of adversity are to be transmuted into benefits for the ages yet to be.... Not only the rulers of a world freed from the horrors of war but the peoples as well, must be able to say when they have passed with resolution and courage, with confidence and faith, through the occasions of their lives—We "have fought a good fight;" we "have finished" the course.

Charles Nelson Pace
Christian Advocate, Chicago, Illinois

The Bible is a best seller. That presumes it is the most read.... It has a message for today. It is a manual of spiritual culture. It excites interest and study. To read it daily as a devotional exercise brings certainty and assurance. It contains the record of the aspirations of humanity. It sets out in front of us the desired goals of struggling society. It wins the assent of the mind and challenges the consent of the will. It portrays the truth of a new order as taught by Jesus and reveals the grace and power by which it can be achieved.

A telescope is not to look at, but to see through. What is far away is brought near at hand. The vision more clearly perceives each object. It magnifies the distant scene.

So with the Bible. Many have only looked at it. But those who use it as an instrument to see through find it brings closer into view many things but dimly comprehended by the ordinary man. They see more perfectly, through its pages, the meaning of life.