authenticated healings in Christian Science through the silent prayers of a practitioner and through attending church services, as well as through their own prayerful work.

In discussing the merit of silent prayer under the caption "Is there no intercessory prayer?" Mrs. Eddy writes: "All prayer that is desire is intercessory; but kindling desire loses a part of its purest spirituality if the lips try to express it." She adds in the same paragraph, "The silent intercession and unvoiced imploring is an honest and potent prayer to heal and save." In a later paragraph she continues, "True prayer is

not asking God for love; it is learning to love, and to include all mankind in one affection."7

When the invitation comes to "join in a few moments of silent prayer," let us joy-" fully turn our thought heavenward to proclaim the presence and power of divine Love to heal and bless all present. The receptive will feel the touch of the angelic wings of Love through this silent, healing prayer.

1 Man., Art. VIII, Sect. 5; 2 Matt. 6:6; 3 James 5:16; 4 Science and Health, p. 367; 5 Lev. 2:13; 6 Matt. 5:13; 7 No and Yes, pp. 38, 39.

Seeing Eye to Eye

EARLENE KLINGBEIL

Material science enables one to send a message around the world in a fraction of a second. Language and distance no longer serve as insurmountable barriers to the exchange of thought. But until heart meets heart in understanding and in love, there is no true communication.

This was found to be true in the experience of an African student and an American. They met as a result of a sincere desire in each of them to further understanding among men across national and cultural lines. In time there developed a deep friendship cemented by a keen appreciation and love of the ennobling qualities of humanity that each expressed. But it was found that this was not enough to spare them the pain of a rough encounter between their disparate ideological and sociological backgrounds.

During many months of candid exchanges of views and sincere efforts to effect a more enriching communication, there was frequently much hurt and much frustration. To each it seemed that the other was wearing blinders in some areas.

The issues upon which they so earnestly desired to communicate were vital to each.

Out of a deep desire to understand and to heal what was wrong, one of the individuals, a Christian Scientist, reached out in prayer for clearer insight into the problem. What was the nature of the obstruction to an otherwise highly beneficial communication? The discoveries made along this line opened up a fertile new area of endeavor for the Christian Scientist. Some of the mental shackles on both persons were seen to be false education, immature concepts, a false identification of self, and prejudice. The knowledge that, in reality, all men are freeborn provided the basis for demonstrating freedom from these false

bonds.

False education, of which individuals are so often innocent victims, relies for its continuation on a closed state of mind. The underlying strength upon which the viability of the communication between the African and his American friend depended was a hunger for new light, wider perspective -in essence a desire to bring more of the

Christ into their individual lives and into their separate spheres of influence. Who could gainsay the fulfillment of such an earnest desire! God surely takes care of it. This desire, this prayer, is found gently pushing open closed mental doors and revealing new vistas, broader horizons.

Holding naïve or immature concepts also depends for its continuance upon a standstill in development, keeping the door closed to enlarged thinking. A greater maturity of thought reveals that human experience cannot be fully understood in terms of the "good guys" and the "bad guys" or of other popular extremes. It reveals the subtle pitfalls in the use of labels, categories, generalizations, and clever catchphrases in regard to human beings and human affairs.

The spiritually advanced thinker does not indulge in simplistic solutions that fail to get to the heart of complex human problems. He discerns the subtleties in mortal thought, finding them illuminated by a clear, steady beam of Truth that shines in his consciousness. He finds expressed in his thinking the beauty of simplicity, not the befuddlement of simplemindedness. The truly mature individual is inclined to think in spiritually absolute terms, viewing mankind in a universal perspective rather than out of a narrow provincialism that sees only what it knows and knows only what it sees.

There are laws of God underlying progress into higher, clearer realms of thought. Maturing has a divine impulsion. This enables us to say with Paul, "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things."

The way a person looks at the world is often largely influenced by the way he regards himself. Therefore a right identification of oneself as the beloved child of God, good, with all that that relationship includes, is a correct beginning. The sense of security that comes from knowing who he really is and what he really has lifts one

above the necessity of identifying himself solely as a national or racial or religious product and representative. Prejudice has little nourishment upon which to thrive when one thus correctly identifies himself and his fellowmen and knows that he can safely open up his heart and his mind to new light.

Grateful for this insight, the student of Christian Science continued to work to dissolve in her thought those elements causing emotional stress and threatening a discontinuance of dialogue between the two friends. "Who hath not learned that when alone he has his own thoughts to guard, and when struggling with mankind his temper, and in society his tongue?" Mrs. Eddy asks the members of her Church. Then she adds, "We also have gained higher heights; have learned that trials lift us to that dignity of Soul which sustains us, and finally conquers them; and that the ordeal refines while it chastens." 2

Anger, frustration, self-righteousness, and a false sense of pride, all inimical to enduring communication, were washed out of the Scientist's consciousness by the purifying streams of the unselfed love that finds its joy in another's well-being. It became easier for the Scientist, sustained by the "dignity of Soul," to maintain equanimity and clarity of thought when dealing with emotion-charged topics. From "higher heights" of understanding a clearer perception of the spiritual reality underlying the relations among men came into focus. The spiritual, real universe was seen to be peopled with God's ideas, all children of one Father, all moving in harmonious relation to one another, blessing and enriching one another.

A sense of hopelessness, a "what's the use?" attitude which sometimes tempted a callous withdrawal from the relationship, was forever lost in a greater depth of compassion that "suffereth long, and is kind.” 3 Mrs. Eddy writes, "The spirit of Truth extinguishes false thinking, feeling, and acting; and falsity must thus decay, ere

spiritual sense, affectional consciousness, and genuine goodness become so apparent as to be well understood." 4

Out of the Christian Scientist's purification of consciousness began to emerge a fabric of healing in the relationship between the two friends. Thought was liberated from much of its tendency to hold on to false education, and it opened up to new, broader views. Much personal sense was lost in the earnest, humble endeavor to express the qualities of God more effectively, more compassionately, more

communicatively.

The enrichment that was brought into the lives of the African student and the American by their meaningful dialogue was precious to both of them. Its full benefit as it in turn touched the lives of others cannot be measured. But there was an even greater reward realized in this experience the further liberation of the Christian Scientist's thought from bondage to blind, unhappy mortal beliefs and the lift

ing of consciousness to the beholding of new, glorious views of man and the real universe of Spirit, in which he lives.

Meaningful dialogue between ideologically opposed mentalities-between Westerner and non-Westerner, between priest and pastor, between right-winger and leftwinger, between labor and management—“ as well as between parent and child, husband and wife-can be achieved. Initially it requires enough love and respect to maintain the contact until there has been sufficient purification of thought to lift the relationship to a level of genuinely meaningful communication wherein each individual is enabled to profit from the view of the other and grow from sharing it. These words of Mrs. Eddy reach to the heart of the matter: "We see eye to eye and know as we are known, reciprocate kindness and work wisely, in proportion as we love.”5

1I Cor. 13:11; 2 Miscellaneous Writings, p. 126; 3 I Cor. 13:4; 4 Retrospection and Introspection, p. 81; 5 Miscellaneous Writings, p. 117.

Protecting the Lecture

SHARON SLATON HOWELL

We have a solemn responsibility to do what we can to further each activity of our great Cause. Mrs. Eddy realized the immeasurable good The Christian Science Board of Lectureship would bring to suffering humanity, and we today should never slacken our efforts to support this avenue of good by prayerful metaphysical work.

The truth being presented by the lecturer has its source in divine Mind and is thereby empowered by this Mind. No element of evil can affect its potency and immediacy. When we realize this in deep, persistent periods of prayer, seedlings of Truth from the lecture cannot be

up

rooted, snatched from hungering hearts, or caused to wither away.

The carnal, or mortal, mind would ever strive to stop the good going forth from each avenue of Christian Science. This is especially true in the case of lectures, which benefit so many new seekers for Christ, Truth. Some of the aggressive mental suggestions that need to be reversed in regard to this activity are that medical beliefs or old theology can oppose Truth; that the truth being expressed will not be remembered when the lecture is over; that apathy or indifference can destroy a desire to investigate Christian Science on the part of the newcomer; that distracting, material

busyness will become more important than seeking a better understanding of what the lecturer has given.

Christian Science reveals that, in reality, there is only one Mind, God, and that all identities reflect this Mind. Harmony and attraction are God-bestowed. The understanding of Mind's control brings out interest and a right sense of enthusiasm. The ideas being presented in the lecture are timeless, applicable to each individual problem, and all-powerful; and we can know that no counterattraction can interfere with them. We can know that there is no mortal mind to produce any resistance to the healing message or to obscure, delay, or nullify its purpose. In Isaiah is this declaration: "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.'

...

1 و

A valuable aid in correct preparatory work can be found in the Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy: "It shall be the duty of every member of this Church to defend himself daily against aggressive mental suggestion, and not be made to forget nor to neglect his duty to God, to his Leader, and to mankind. By his works he shall be judged,—and justified or condemned."2 By so aligning our thinking we keep our consciousness alert to meet and master every adverse condition that would try to interfere with the success of the lecture.

The more church members there are who are faithful in doing prayerful metaphysical work, the more fruitage there will be from the lecture. The importance of protecting the lecturer's message of truth for the good of the community cannot be emphasized too strongly today, for the need for deliverance from the myriad forms of bondage is great.

Christian Science is the remedy for every discordant situation that currently con

fronts mankind. Through its teaching we learn to behold ourselves and everyoneas the first chapter of Genesis points out—as God's reflection, made in His image and likeness, spiritual, complete, perfect in every aspect, and wholly good. To the person who has never thought of himself in this new light, such a discovery can bring a complete transformation of his human experience: renewed joy, peace, harmony, abundance, and health. And, of course, the experienced Christian Scientist can never be reminded too often of his eternal, indestructible relationship to his FatherMother God.

Vital, powerful statements having their origin in divine Mind inspire, enlighten, and heal. In many instances a person in need has recalled a thought or statement from a lecture heard sometime before and has been healed. This proves that the truth is perpetually effective.

Many times, long after lectures, the author has been strengthened and encouraged by potent statements recalled. Especially helpful have been the assurances of God's omnipresence and omnipotence illustrated by the convincing healings related. Yes, following this activity there can be sustained interest for weeks, months, and even years. Truth is not effective merely for one hour but is infinite and ever available to meet humanity's every need.

3

Mrs. Eddy says: "Metaphysical healing, or Christian Science, is a demand of the times. Every man and every woman would desire and demand it, if he and she knew its infinite value and firm basis." How vital it is, then, that we take advantage of every opportunity presented to us to do our part in prayerfully protecting this wonderful avenue of good for a world so ready for its blessings!

1 Isa. 55:11; 2 Man., Art. VIII, Sect. 6; 3 Miscellaneous Writings, p. 232.

Breaking the Class Barrier

REGINALD HAYES

Barriers have been restricting mankind for centuries. There have been barriers of race, religion, nationality, education, and class, to name a few. Fetters of all kinds fall away through the study and understanding of Christian Science.

The Bible tells us that "God is no respecter of persons. "1 But the human being influenced by financial success, material affluence, social and professional standing, very often is. Particularly in some of the older countries, quick mental classification of another is made automatically on sight or just by hearing the person speak. Either his appearance and speech are socially acceptable or they are not, and he is classified accordingly.

What cruel injustice! Right where the human being is judged and pigeonholed, there, in actuality, is the spiritual man of God's creating, perfectly acceptable to his Maker. But for this real man of God to be seen, spiritual sense must be learned and earned. We can do this by the steady, studious use and application of the Bible and the works of Mrs. Eddy.

Are our concepts of our fellowmen earthbound? Let us elevate them with spiritual understanding to see the ideal man created by God. Mrs. Eddy states in Miscellaneous Writings, "Asserting a selfhood apart from God, is a denial of man's spiritual sonship; for it claims another father." 2

Mortal mind, or material sense, with its egotism, pride, and self-righteous condemnation, is the basic error. For years I was very reluctant to yield a personal sense of social, national, and academic superiority because I mistakenly thought that to do so was to lose a comfortable edge over my fellowmen. But after years of study and personal interviews with my teacher of Christian Science it gradually dawned on

me that to feel superior to others was to have an inferior sense of God. How could God have a less than superlative manifestation? Was the remarkable example of the Master, Christ Jesus, washing his disciples' feet to be lost on me? Definitely not! But human pride does not always yield without persistence.

One evening upon entering a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, I noticed a woman talking to others in the foyer. My quick and cruel assessment classified her as plebeian, therefore unattractive and socially unacceptable. Later, when I needed an office in which to work as an engineer, I asked this person if she knew of such a place. She did not, but offered me the use of her apartment to live and work in during her three weeks' absence. Her generous offer led to a friendship during which I learned of her many attractive spiritual qualities. What a lesson of love!

"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. Can we stand in judgment on God and His work? If He made all that was made and made it very good, it must be our fault if we fail to see in every man or woman His spiritual idea expressing God-given place, purpose, power, and nobility.

Snobbery is a product of the class system. It is a defensive attitude assumed to mask an inferiority complex-an inferior sense of God, self, and man. The snob dishonestly claims a status to which he has not humanly attained. The way to stop being a snob or being victimized by snobbery is to see it as an aggressive mental suggestion having no validity or reality. It is destroyed by realizing that everyone enjoys equal status in God's sight. No plebeians, no aristocrats-complete spiritual beings all!