SHAKE HANDS WITH CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

Harold Molter

The almost universal custom of shaking hands with those whom we meet is a symbol of friendship and good will. Men usually shake hands to seal an agreement or settle a difference. Often in the marriage ceremony the bride and groom are asked to clasp hands as an evidence of the union of hearts.

In these days Christian Science has been revealed to us by Mary Baker Eddy as the ever-present guide and Comforter, always ready to take us by the hand and lead us into paths of righteousness, health, and constructive, fruitful activity. In an article entitled "Science and Philosophy" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 364) Mrs. Eddy describes Christian Science as follows: "It is not a search after wisdom, it is wisdom: it is God's right hand grasping the universe,—all time, space, immortality, thought, extension, cause, and effect; constituting and governing all identity, individuality, law, and power." Who would not desire to grasp the hand of this great messenger of God, to receive and enjoy the untold blessings of heaven which it is constantly offering to mankind! In an interesting and enlightening allegory in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (pp. 430-442) Mrs. Eddy depicts a court scene in which "Mortal Man" is brought to trial for having exposed himself to physical disease by doing a good act. In the "Supreme Court of Spirit" Christian Science acts as the attorney for the defendant, and the "Jury of Spiritual Senses" returns a verdict of "Not guilty." Then it is recorded that the prisoner arises, free and regenerated, and as he shakes hands with Christian Science, his counsel, all evidence of debility and sallowness has vanished.

Let us take Christian Science as our guide and partner and grasp its outstretched hand securely in evidence of an abiding friendship. It never deserts us. Its course is always right. It never makes mistakes. Let us consult it regularly and confidently, and receive the countless angel messages and blessings which accompany it. In the chaos of the market place, the troubled home, the disturbed church, the seething world, let us listen for its quiet, reassuring counsel, accept its guidance, and experience the heavenly peace and comfort which it imparts.

Its pronouncements are always the key to the solution of every problem. It reveals the Christ, which enlightens and blesses, which rebukes and refutes all sense testimony. Christian Science is the gift of God to every one of us. It reveals, to us all, the glorious inheritance of indestructible unity with Spirit and the unlimited spiritual resources which meet all human needs. Let us shake hands with Christian Science and thus seal an unbroken partnership.

The poet expressed with deep reverence the yearning of all true followers for the comfort and help which come from a close communion with the Christ-power, in the following lines from one of our hymns (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 108):

Here, O my Lord, I'd see Thee face to face:
Here would I touch and handle things unseen;
Here grasp with firmer hand th' eternal grace,
And all my weariness upon Thee lean.

Several years ago the writer met an elderly Japanese who had grasped with eagerness the outstretched hand of divine Love and reaped spiritual benefits. This man, who could speak no English, saw an advertisement of Science and Health in a Japanese language newspaper. He purchased a copy of the textbook printed in the English language. Then he employed a friend to tell of the message in the volume. But he soon sensed that the true interpretation was not being presented to him. He dismissed the man and began to study English so that he could read the book himself and glean its treasures. Then he sought the help of a Christian Science practitioner and was healed of a discordant physical condition. Later he attended a Christian Science lecture, and such had been his progress that he understood clearly everything spoken by the lecturer.

Jesus said (Matt. 7:7), "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Following these instructions, we grasp the right hand of Christian Science, and seal a friendship which carries with it unlimited blessings and eternal life.

Out of her Soul-inspired experience our beloved Leader says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 347), "Those who know no will but His take His hand, and from the night He leads to light."

Harold Molter

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