THE SABBATH—DAY OF LIBERATION

STREATFIELD H. COX, JR.

Christian Scientists joyously unite with other Christians in dedicating the Sabbath day to God. They realize that such a dedication can be genuine only as it rises above the pressures of worldly cares to the realization of the verities of Spirit. The Sabbath can be truly hallowed only as thought is uplifted to the true understanding of God and the clear perception that the real man is His spiritual image and likeness. When this joyous, illuminated state of consciousness, which knows only the ever-presence of divine Love, is achieved, it brings immediate liberation from earth's burdens, healing the sick and reforming the sinner.

In Jeremiah we read (17:21), "Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem." In many other Scriptural passages the Sabbath is similarly spoken of as a day of rest and release from earthly burdens. Christ Jesus amplified this view, realizing that the Sabbath should provide not merely temporary release or rest from worldly cares, but permanent healing of every type of bondage with which mortals suffer.

When accused of not keeping the Sabbath because he healed on the Sabbath, more than once Jesus indicated that he was simply performing an act of liberation. When he loosed the woman who had had an infirmity eighteen years, he pointed out that his accusers would not hesitate to release their domestic animals from their stalls and water them on the Sabbath. When he healed the man of dropsy, he pointed out that they themselves on the Sabbath would free an ox or an ass which had fallen into a pit.

Jesus rebuked ritualistic observances and explained that "the sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath" (Mark 2:27). The student of Christian Science must ever be alert to prevent his Sunday worship from becoming a routine and thus something of a personal ritual. He must strive to attain and maintain that healing state of consciousness which characterized the Master.

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy gives as part of her definition of Church (p. 583), "The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick. "The Christian Science Sunday church service naturally uplifts thought, imparting the spiritual understanding and divine inspiration which enable the Church of Christ, Scientist, to achieve the high standard of moral and spiritual liberation set forth by its Leader, Mrs. Eddy.

Every phase of this healing service contributes to its efficacy. During the musical prelude the alert student, already withdrawn from idle chatter, sits in joyous prayerful anticipation of the good to be received not only by himself, but by the entire congregation. He joins wholeheartedly in both the words and the spirit of each hymn as his heart sings in joyous praise and gratitude to God, the Giver of all good. The spiritual truth, the very Word of God, as read from the Bible and Science and Health enlightens consciousness, annulling error and supplying human needs.

Silent prayer is for the congregation collectively and exclusively —and how the consecrated student treasures this opportunity to help his brother, realizing that this healing prayer imparts the spiritual animus which releases humanity from every form of bondage! The collection is another joyous opportunity for us to give while receiving so much. Clearly, no earthly burden, be it so-called incurable disease, discouragement, fear, lack, or selfishness, can withstand the Christian Science Sunday service if the student truly partakes of its spiritual import.

Christian Scientists realize that they truly keep the Sabbath only as they live their religion each day of the week, daily overcoming sin in themselves and in others. Even so, Sunday is still a special day. How often a seeming struggle with some form of error ends with victory for Truth through the added inspiration of a consecrated observance of Sunday. Far from being stern or inactive, it is a day filled with love, joy, gratitude, inspiration, spontaneity, healing. Truly, then, is the Sabbath a day of liberation!

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