A Mother,  troubled because she had not heard in many weeks from a son stationed in the battle zone, prayed daily to see that in reality he, as God's son, was safe. In furtherance of this effort she turned to her Bible for comfort and was led to read the seventeenth chapter of John. Therein she found the same tender solicitude expressed in Jesus' prayer for his disciples that she had felt in praying for her son. The sense of unselfed love underlying Jesus' prayer impressed her, and her attention was drawn to the twentieth verse, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word." Immediately the mesmerism of personal sense was broken. She extended her prayer to include all mankind in her affirmations of Love's care and protection.

She saw in this exalted sense of prayer the opportunity and the necessity to sweep away the barriers of race, nationality, boundaries, language, and creed. When these were obliterated from consciousness, she was enabled to behold in some degree the man of God's creating, held in the warmth of divine Love, fed, sheltered, and complete. She knew that this spiritual man, the only real man, is never at the mercy of an enemy, whether that enemy seems to come in the form of fear, disease, hunger, accident, or death. She recognized and rebuked evil as the mistiness of mortal mind, which could no more interfere with man, the individualized expression of God, than it could touch God Himself. As she earnestly reasoned in this manner, false beliefs were soon reduced to nothingness, having no identity with person, place, or thing. The conviction that her prayer was blessing humanity filled her consciousness, concern for her son melted away, and in its place poise and calm reigned once more.

Some time later, long-delayed letters arrived attesting to the efficacy of her all-embracing prayer. The son's letters reported safe passage by himself and his comrades through mined roads and danger zones during intensive enemy drives. Unspeakable gratitude was felt for the answer to the personal problem, but the joyous glimpse of universal brotherhood and of her direct responsibility to recognize it was precious beyond measure.

This new outlook was soon expressed in friendly smiles for the strangers in the church she attended, and committee work that had seemed to lag hitherto now took on a glow under the fresh impetus of brotherliness. Her activities, instead of seeming to oppress her as formerly, all became opportunities to express this animus of a larger affection for her fellow man. Best of all, a broken friendship of many years was healed, and the renewed tie became sweeter than she had ever expected it to be.

Our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, says in her textbook. "Science and Health, with Key to "the Scriptures" (p. 58). "Home is the dearest spot on earth, and it should be the centre, though not the boundary, of the affections." A study of Mrs. Eddy's life proves that she lived the teachings she gave us. Members of her household have testified to the love she expressed for all beneath her roof. Nevertheless, because she followed the Christ, she did not confine her love to her household. Thus inevitably she attained "the wide horizon's grander view." She prayed for all mankind, and thousands thank God daily that she was willing to love in this universal way. If we are to follow our Leader we must do the same, and right where we are in our present experience is the place to begin.

Are we, for instance, desiring to give our first testimony, and does evil suggestion say, "I am afraid"? Hear, instead, the Father's promise (Isa. 41:10), "Fear thou not; for I am with thee." It is Love that impels one to turn from fearful belief in an existence separate from God. It is Love that supports the unselfed desire to share a healing experience, and if we obey the spiritual impulse, fear will be overcome and we shall have the blessing which always accompanies obedience to good.

Perhaps someone feels burdened with the cares of family and household. and because of this the joy of participating in church activity seems denied him. This burdened sense, reversed, becomes an opportunity to join in prayerful support of those who are carrying forward the great movement of Christian Science. We do not need to leave our home to pray, but we do need to lift our prayer above the confines of our household and maintain the facts of Christian Science. As we extend our prayer to include all mankind, our concept of family will be enlarged, our understanding will be increased, and we shall understand better Mrs. Eddy's words on page 256 of Science and Health. "Progress takes off human shackles."

Is some serviceman wearily waiting for release, and does discouragement suggest that the years in the service of his country were wasted? Service to one's fellow man in a righteous cause is never futile. The power of Love that protected and sustained one in the heat of battle is attending this waiting period. One's comrades still need one's support, and this respite from the upheaval of war can be utilized as an opportunity to gain a better understanding of Christian Science. The fruitage of this study will bless the individual and his fellow man. For himself or his fellows he can helpfully know that weariness and discouragement are phases of false selfhood, never the result of earnest prayer. Praying rightly brings into one's experience the fulfillment of the promise in the Bible (Joel 2:25), "I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten."

Christian Scientists at this point in the world's progress feel a deep responsibility to offer higher proofs of the healing power that true prayer confers. Does the world reject this? The carnal mind's rejection of the truth does not remove the obligation to pray earnestly and constantly. Our Leader says (Science and Health, p. 317). "These blessed benedictions rest upon Jesus' followers: 'If the world hate you. ye know that it hated me before it hated you;' 'Lo, I am with you alway.'—that is. not only in all time, but in all ways and conditions." Christian Science prayer employs the Word of God, which never returns void. It comforts the hungry heart with the tenderness of Love. He who prays aright seeks and receives a larger opportunity to pray, wins a higher concept of God and His universe.

Hungry hearts are all about us. seeking relief from fear and distress. How grateful we are that in Christian Science we have the prayer which carries with it the assurance of deliverance for these troubled ones! Let us pour forth from our spiritual riches the prayer whose lovelikeness fills the world with its aroma, thereby bringing peace and rest to all.