Pagina-afbeeldingen
PDF
ePub

contradictory statements; yet both are true. Jesus revealed the Christ, the Son "born of God" and without sin; but if he that is born of the flesh "saith that he has no sin he is a liar," for the carnal, fleshly man is sin. We are taught the same in SCIENCE AND HEALTH; that the man of the flesh is not born of God.

Again, Jesus said, "If ye had known me, ye had known my Father, also." Did he not, in this statement, declare that what material sense saw him to be was not the Son of his Father? Yet did he have no belief of material sense to deny at that time? Did he not ask of the Father, that the cup might pass from him? At that moment, he had still the claims of self to deny. He saw much more of the seeming power of evil than was ever beheld before, or has been by any man beheld since; yet he denied it. "Not my will," the will of flesh "but Thy will," the will of Spirit, "be done." It was in his material consciousness that a belief of life of the flesh still protested, and, soon as uttered, had to be denied.

What can hinder our advancement from darkness into light more than to deny the need of more light, thus holding to the belief that our darkness is light? If we will not see all of the error to deny, how can we receive all of Truth or eternal Life?

It is often asked: "When will the need of denial of error cease?" Not until its every claim to be (and its name is legion) is seen, denied; and Truth (whose name is Infinity) seen, demonstrated, understood, is put in its place. Persistently the temptation comes: "I will see no more error. I will declare that Good is all. Good being all, I have nothing to deny;" but the words of the apostle again confront us; "He that saith he hath no sin is a liar and the Truth is not in him." Jesus in his demonstration over the last claim of error, the belief of death in that cry of mortal agony, "My God, why hast thou forsaken me," showed how to the very last error must be seen and denied. Can we doubt that error stood before him in its most appalling seeming? Nay; but also came a clearer recognition of the omnipresence and omnipotence of Good. Truly, he was "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin ", without sin because he had destroyed it with Truth.

Error must be seen in its every form, and be denied, through understanding of Truth. We have not passed from death unto life until we, like our Exemplar, present to our fellow-workers in

Truth the likeness of sinful flesh" that "condemns sin in the flesh." Although our words declare we have no belief in error (no sin), our demonstrations so far only show that we are little by little losing our belief in error. To the pure all things are pure," but there is nothing pure but Spirit; and SCIENCE AND HEALTH teaches that Spirit does not recognize matter, neither can matter recognize Spirit. Paul says: "The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be"; hence had we no belief of error to deny, error, as mortal man, would see no more of us than it sees of God as Spirit. Jesus never claimed his material form to be in heaven while he was recognized by the material senses; but he said that he was going to the Father; that is, that the last belief of error would disappear from his own consciousness. And when it was lost to him, his existence passed also from material sight and understanding. 'Twas then he had no beliefs of error to deny.

H

AN OPEN-AIR SERMON.

J. G. CORNELL.

AVING occasion to take an open-air trip after a brisk shower

one day last summer, the writer hailed a passing "electric," took a front end-seat, and was soon speeding some little distance out over a broad and glistening river. The smiling blue-and-white expanse above, mirrored on its tranquil surface, momentarily refreshed; but, leaving the fair scene behind, we faced the depressing prospect of an unbroken line of mud threading its way between rows of houses. Ugh, the muddiness of muddy mud! But discontent was unexpectedly routed by a query: "Some lesson must be here. What is it? Earth is needed, rain is needed; where and what is the lesson?" Along the rails sped the car, but downcast eyes saw neither road, rails nor mudpuddles - saw nothing in fact until suddenly, consciously confronted by twinkling, merry, blue and white lakelets chasing each other gleefully in the roadway.

A sermon began to preach itself to that congregation of one; opening as usual in this particular church-with, "What can it mean?" What, to be sure, but reflection Mind and its reflection! Mind sees either what it seeks or what it suffers itself to behold. A gross thought sees mudpuddles only; while thought

seeking, or able to appreciate reflection from above, is lost for the time being to all grossness, in the beauty discerned.

Puddles here became people. We cannot do away with personal puddles; but we can do away with our sense of their grossness, by letting Spirit not only move upon the surface of their waters, but enable us to see the true reflection present. Here and now, we can accustom ourselves to seek and find the "blue and white" reflected upon each personal puddle about us, untilsooner than we anticipate perhaps our thought, naturally and safely detached from its own muddiness, is fitted to habituate higher, clearer regions of azure blue and glistening white.

Two personalities vividly appeared, each grievously conscious of the hopeless muddiness of the other's mentality. Diffusive amativeness in one, could be satisfied with nothing less than the approbation of all; while concentrated amativeness in the other, was content with the regard of one. The former failed to recognize the identical claim under both diffusiveness and concentration; while the latter, though reading aright the underlying claim, was sensitive to that tacit "I am holier than thou." In all the muddiness of these stirred up pools, could true blue and fleecy white of upper regions be reflected! Again, momentary oblivion; and, unwittingly as it were, the muddiness disappeared as before, leaving the two distinct forms perceptibly to embody two distinct thoughts: Universality of Love! Unity of Love!

All about us, as well as within, are muddy, mortal mind pools. If instead of gloomily and cloudily covering them over, closing our eyes to them, or stirring to greater muddiness, we seek to discern "heaven's own blue" reflected upon or by them, and begin at once so to do, each "blue and white lakelet"— each human heart reflecting the heaven of Truth will preach a speedy and eloquent sermon to the waiting world.

The true reflection gained, "collection" was gratefully passed to the car-company, a psalm of thanksgiving was sung by the heart, and the "congregation" passed out under the living benediction of new-found peace.

[blocks in formation]

NOTES FROM THE FIELD.

ROM the Denver Republican, we quote as follows:

FRO

The Christian Science church on Logan avenue, between Seventeenth and Eighteenth avenues, was dedicated yesterday, services being held both morning and evening. The ceremonies were presided over by the pastor, J. F. Linscott. Stirring letters of congratu lation were read by different members of the church from Christian Science churches in New York city, Boston, Scranton, Chicago, Oconto and many other cities and towns.

The following letter from Reverend Mary B. G. Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science, was read at close of both morning and evening services.

BELOVED PASTOR AND BRETHREN: "As face answers to face in water," and continents clasp hands, so the ONENESS of God includes also His presence with those whose hearts unite in the purposes of goodness. Of this we may be sure that thoughts winged with peace and love breathe a silent benediction over all the earth, co-operate with the Divine power, and brood unconsciously o'er the work of His hand.

I as a corporeal person, am not in your midst. I as a dictator, arbiter or ruler, am not present; but I as a mother whose heart pulsates with every throb of theirs for the welfare of her children, am present and rejoice with them that rejoice.

May meekness, mercy and love dwell forever in the hearts of those who worship in this Tabernacle. Then will they receive the heritage that God has prepared for His people, made ready for the pure in affection, the meek in spirit, the worshipper in Truth, the follower of Good.

Thus founded upon the Rock of Christ, when storm and tempest beat against this sure foundation, you, safely sheltered in the strong Tower of hope, faith and Love, are God's nestlings, and He will hide you in His feathers till the storm has passed. Into this haven of Soul enters no element of earth to cast out angels, to silence the right intuition which guides you safely home.

Exercise more faith in God and His spiritual means and methods, than in man and his material ways and means of establishing the Cause of Christian Science. If right yourself, God

will confirm His inheritance.

"Be not weary in well doing." Truth is restful, and Love is triumphant.

When God went forth before His people, they were fed with manna, they marched through the wilderness, they passed through the Red Sea, untouched by the billows. At His command the rock became a fountain; and the Land of Promise, the green Isles of refreshment. In the words of the Psalmist, when "The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it."

-

God is good to Israel, washed in the waters of Meribah, cleansed of the flesh,-good to His Israel encompassed not with pride, hatred, self-will, and self-justification, wherein violence covereth men as a garment, and as captives are they enchained.

Christian Scientists bring forth the fruits of Spirit, not flesh; and God giveth this "new name" to no man who honors Him not by positive proof of trust-worthiness. May you be able to say: "I have not cleansed my heart in vain."

Edwin Arnold, to whom I presented a copy of my first edition of SCIENCE AND HEALTH, writes:

"Peace on Earth and Good-will!"

Souls that are gentle and still

Hear the first music of this

Far-off, infinite, Bliss!

So may the God of peace be and abide with this dear Church. Affectionately yours in Christ,

MARY B. G. EDDY.

ENCLOSED please find check for $50. That there be no delay in building the house of the Lord, there should be no lack of funds forthcoming before we fully realize the unreality of matter. When we fully realize the unreality of matter, material funds will probably become to us as unreal as matter. What can we do with money when we reach that time? We then shall need no house, but poor humanity that has not reached so high will need this house; hence we who are now able, ought to build it for them. Therefore I say, put me on your record for one who will assist. If the required amount is not on hand by the time you wish to begin, call on me for another $50. Also, if ever there remains a debt on our Church, call on me for $50 per year until such indebtedness is made unreal.-L. M.

« VorigeDoorgaan »