Overnight, those who are accustomed to being regarded as boys and girls find themselves assuming adult responsibilities in new occupations and environment. This challenge of today is being met with eagerness, good will, and courage, but sometimes its acceptance is accompanied by the fear that the new tasks may prove too difficult and dangerous. Such fear was proved groundless centuries ago, and it is being proved again today that youth can meet a formidable challenge with fearlessness and success.

In the Bible there is an account of a youth who attacked single-handed a most fearsome-appearing enemy, with an outstanding victory as the result. It is related in the first book of Samuel that the armies of Israel were defied by a mighty warrior, the giant Goliath. His size and boasting so frightened the Israelites that no one was bold enough to go out to fight him. David, who was but a youth, and described as "ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to" (I Sam. 16:12), came from tending his father's sheep and offered to Saul his services to go out and fight Goliath. Saul met his offer with distrust, and said to him (I Sam. 17:33), "Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth."

This doubt of his ability did not daunt David. His trust was not in his prowess as a warrior, but in God who had recently delivered him from attacks by a lion and a bear, so he replied, "The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." Then David went forth with his sling and stones from the brook and slew the Philistine.

His youth did not hinder him from undertaking what appeared a difficult task requiring much courage resourcefulness, and power. Suggestions of fear and hesitation were overcome by his faith and trust in God's help and protection.

In the Christian Science Sunday School, Mary Baker Eddy has made wise provision for youth to gain an understanding of God sufficient to meet its needs. Here the Bible and the Christian Science textbook. "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, are carefully and prayerfully studied. That she knew youth to be able to gain spiritual understanding is shown by the following statement in her textbook (p. 236): "While age is halting between two opinions or battling with false beliefs, youth makes easy and rapid strides towards Truth."

That this teaching is practical, and that it can be applied regardless of years, is shown by the following incident. Three boys, members of a Christian Science Sunday School, went on a skiing expedition sponsored by a newspaper for which they were carriers. During the course of the day one of the boys fell while skiing and injured his leg. The two other boys sat by him declaring the allness of God and the powerlessness of evil or accident to harm God's perfect child. Subsequently the boy was put on a stretcher and carried to the ski train. His friends sat by him, continuing their right knowing as they had been taught in Christian Science.

Upon the arrival of the train at the starting point of the expedition, those in charge thought it their responsibility to take the boy immediately to a hospital. There an X-ray picture was taken. Much to the astonishment of those in attendance it showed that the leg had been broken and set perfectly. Youth in this instance did not doubt or hesitate to use its knowledge of God and the result was a healing of a broken bone.

These boys, finding themselves in a situation which had at first seemed disastrous, accepted the challenge to their understanding of Christian Science and were victorious. They had been taught that the real man is ever perfect, as is God, who created him and cannot be hurt or injured. This knowledge enabled them to heal their friend quickly and permanently.

So today, youth fortified with a knowledge of Christian Science can go forth to meet any event which the war-stirred times put before it, knowing that an understanding of God is a sure protection under any tire. Many authentic accounts are being published which prove that through trust in God youth is being guarded and saved in the most trying situations. Today, as of old, the statement of the prophet Isaiah is proved true (65:24), "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."