My sympathies are deeply enlisted for the students of students; having already seen in many instances their [25]
talents, culture, and singleness of purpose to uplift the race. Such students should not pay the penalty for other people"s faults; and divine Love will open the way for them. My soul abhors injustice, and loves mercy. St. John writes: "Whom G.o.d hath sent speaketh [30]
the words of G.o.d: for G.o.d giveth not the Spirit by meas- ure unto him."
[Page 318.]
My Students And Thy Students
Mine and thine are obsolete terms in absolute Christian [2]
Science, wherein and whereby the universal brotherhood of man is stated and demands to be demonstrated. I have a large affection, not alone for my students, but for thy [5]
students,-for students of the second generation. I can- not but love some of those devoted students better than some of mine who are less lovable or Christly. This natural affection for goodness must go on _ad libitum_ unto the third and fourth and final generation of those who [10]
love G.o.d and keep His commandments. Hence the following is an amendment of the paragraph on page 47(6) of "Retrospection and Introspection":-
Any student, having received instructions in a Primary cla.s.s from me, or from a loyal student of Christian Science, [15]
and afterwards studied thoroughly "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," can enter upon the gospel work of teaching Christian Science, and so fulfil the command of Christ. Before entering this sacred field of labor, the student must have studied faithfully the latest edi- [20]
tions of my works, and be a good Bible scholar and a devout, consecrated Christian.
These are the indispensable demands on all those who become teachers.
Unseen Sin
Two points of danger beset mankind; namely, making [26]
sin seem either too large or too little: if too large, we
[Page 319.]
are in the darkness of all the ages, wherein the true sense [1]
of the unity of good and the unreality of evil is lost.
If good is G.o.d, even as G.o.d is good, then good and evil can neither be coeval nor coequal, for G.o.d is All-in- all. This closes the argument of aught besides Him, aught [5]
else than good.
If the sense of sin is too little, mortals are in danger of not seeing their own belief in sin, but of seeing too keenly their neighbor"s. Then they are beset with egotism and hypocrisy. Here Christian Scientists must [10]
be most watchful. Their habit of mental and audible protest against the reality of sin, tends to make sin less or more to them than to other people. They must either be overcoming sin in themselves, or they must not lose sight of sin; else they are self-deceived sinners of the [15]
worst sort.
A Word To The Wise
Will all the dear Christian Scientists accept my tender greetings for the forthcoming holidays, and grant me this request,-let the present season pa.s.s without one [20]
gift to me.
Our church edifice must be built in 1894. Take thither thy saintly offerings, and lay them in the outstretched hand of G.o.d. The object to be won affords ample oppor- tunity for the grandest achievement to which Christian [25]
Scientists can direct attention, and feel themselves alone among the stars.
No doubt must intervene between the promise and event; faith and resolve are friends to Truth; seize them,
[Page 320.]
trust the divine Providence, push upward our prayer in [1]
stone,-and G.o.d will give the benediction.
Christmas
This interesting day, crowned with the history of Truth"s idea,-its earthly advent and nativity,-is [5]
especially dear to the heart of Christian Scientists; to whom Christ"s appearing in a fuller sense is so precious, and fraught with divine benedictions for mankind.
The star that looked lovingly down on the manger of our Lord, lends its resplendent light to this hour: the [10]
light of Truth, to cheer, guide, and bless man as he reaches forth for the infant idea of divine perfection dawning upon human imperfection,-that calms man"s fears, bears his burdens, beckons him on to Truth and Love and the sweet immunity these bring from sin, sick- [15]
ness, and death.
This polar star, fixed in the heavens of divine Science, shall be the sign of his appearing who "healeth all our diseases;" it hath traversed night, wading through darkness and gloom, on to glory. It doth meet the [20]
antagonism of error; addressing to dull ears and undis- ciplined beliefs words of Truth and Life.
The star of Bethlehem is the star of Boston, high in the zenith of Truth"s domain, that looketh down on the long night of human beliefs, to pierce the darkness and [25]
melt into dawn.
The star of Bethlehem is the light of all ages; is the light of Love, to-day christening religion undefiled, divine Science; giving to it a new name, and the white stone in token of purity and permanence. [30]
[Page 321.]
The wise men follow this guiding star; the watchful [1]
shepherd chants his welcome over the cradle of a great truth, and saith, "Unto us a child is born," whose birth is less of a miracle than eighteen centuries ago; and "his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty [5]
G.o.d, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
My heart is filled with joy, that each receding year sees the steady gain of Truth"s idea in Christian Science; that each recurring year witnesses the balance adjusted more on the side of G.o.d, the supremacy of Spirit; as shown [10]
by the triumphs of Truth over error, of health over sick- ness, of Life over death, and of Soul over sense.
"The hour cometh, and now is, when the true wor- shippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth."
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made [15]
me free from the law of sin and death." "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father"s good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
Press on, press on! ye sons of light, Untiring in your holy fight, [20]
Still treading each temptation down, And battling for a brighter crown.