On page 340 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mary Baker Eddy says: "The lives of great men and women are miracles of patience and perseverance. Every luminary in the constellation of human greatness, like the stars, comes out in the darkness to shine with the reflected light of God."

Our Leader had a deep appreciation of the good done by others and occasionally makes mention in her writings of an individual who has contributed something to the general welfare of mankind. With this issue of the Sentinel a new feature is introduced, entitled "Mrs. Eddy Mentioned Them." This page will appear each month in the second and fourth issues, and it is intended to bring to our readers, in a simple and readable way, short biographical sketches of some of the notable and interesting characters referred to by our Leader in her published writings.

Not all the characters selected can be styled notable, as the word is generally understood, but they will be selected because they obviously teach a lesson or illustrate a point. Blondin, for instance, whose mastery of fear was able to walk a rope over the abyss of Niagara Falls, is referred to by Mrs. Eddy in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," thus (p. 199): "Had Blondin believed it impossible to walk the rope over Niagara's abyss of waters, he could never have done it." And she continues, "His fear must have disappeared before his power of putting resolve into action could appear."

Many students of our textbook probably have asked themselves the questions: "Who was Blondin? What did he do? Where did he live? And where did he come from?" It is hoped that these and similar questions may be answered by the introduction of our new page. These biographical sketches are by no means intended to be exhaustive, but those considered of sufficient interest to include are numerous enough for the series to run in the Sentinel for a period of many months.

It is inspiring to learn that glimpses of Truth have been discerned by men and women in all ages. The light they saw remains with us. Their works follow them. Their contribution to the general good, however large or small, had the effect of breaking through the barriers of materialism and piercing the gloom with one faint ray of Spirit.

Our Master reminded his disciples of the importance of their individual contribution to his work. He placed this importance wholly on a spiritual basis. Those enlightened by the Christ naturally become the salt of the earth and a light in the world. Not because they are great of themselves, but because they reflect the light of Truth and can prove the power of God by their healing works. John, the beloved disciple, wrote (I John 5:20): "We know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life."

The unique mission of our Leader as the revelator of Christian Science brings to us not just one faint ray of Truth, but its full-orbed effulgence. Divine Science is the second coming of the Christ in all its perfection, beauty, completeness, and understanding. Christian Science is not a feeble ray to flicker and die away on the shores of time; it is the great light which has come to spiritualize and redeem humanity. It reveals man in his original likeness of his Maker as a child of God, and in so doing heals all manner of evil.

The stupendous meaning of the spiritual idea of Life grows brighter as we advance in it. It is unfolded to us by means of the spiritual interpretation of the Bible as revealed in our Leader's writings, outshining the work of the philosophers and thinkers of all time. Many of them groped for Truth, and their efforts were not in vain. A gleam here, a flash of light there, kept faith aglow for the faithful. We owe the great thinkers of the past a debt of gratitude. Mrs. Eddy recognized this and paid her tribute to them.

It was not one versed in worldly wisdom who was destined to discover the Science of Christ. But one pure of heart, rich in faith, a seeker after Truth from childhood, a strong, resolute, spiritually-minded, minded, and affectionate character—one who loved others sufficiently to sacrifice self and work for the redemption of mankind. Such a one was Mary Baker Eddy.

Since in the course of her studies Mrs. Eddy was drawn to mention others who had something to contribute to the general welfare of mankind, we shall not be found out of order if we occasionally spend a few moments in gaining a knowledge of those our Leader has referred to in her writings. And it is hoped that this new feature, "Mrs. Eddy Mentioned Them," appearing twice a month in the Sentinel, will enable us to do so.

Every care has been taken to make these short biographical sketches accurate and to bring out the salient points of special interest to a Christian Scientist. In many cases a longer biography would be justified, but space does not permit this. The spiritual value of our Sentinel must be our first concern, and nothing can take the place of statements of eternal truth, so necessary for our welfare.

Robert Ellis Key