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MOTHER'S NEW YEAR GIFT TO THE LITTLE CHILDREN |
Father-Mother God, TO THE BIG CHILDREN Father-Mother good, lovingly These words are in Mary Baker Eddy's book, MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS page 400 ~ The first commandment EXODUS 20:1 - 3 And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. The second commandment EXODUS 20: 4-5 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: .... The third commandment EXODUS 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. The fourth commandment EXODUS 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. The fifth commandment EXODUS 20:12 Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. The sixth commandment EXODUS 20:13 Thou shalt not kill. The seventh commandment EXODUS 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. The eigth commandment EXODUS 20:15 Thou shalt not steal. The ninth commandment EXODUS 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. The tenth commandment EXODUS 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. ~ From MATTHEW chapter 5 in the KING JAMES BIBLE: Blessed are the poor in spirit: Jesus said, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ~ Parents should teach their children at the earliest possible period the truths of health and holiness. The Scriptures inform us that man is made in the image and likeness of God. Matter is not that likeness. The likeness of Spirit cannot be so unlike Spirit. Man is spiritual and perfect; and because he is spiritual and perfect, he must be so understood in Christian Science. These words are from Mary Baker Eddy's book SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES, pages 236:23-25 and 475:7-13 A Little One's Healing Jesus loved little children because of their freedom from wrong and their receptiveness of right. While age is halting between two opinions or battling with false beliefs, youth makes easy and rapid strides towards Truth. A little girl, who had occasionally listened to my explanations, badly wounded her finger. She seemed not to notice it. On being questioned about it she answered ingenuously, “There is no sensation in matter.” Bounding off with laughing eyes, she presently added, “Mamma, my finger is not a bit sore. Mary Baker Eddy wrote this in Science and Health on pages 236 to 237 A Little One's Healing In an infant class in a Christian Science Sunday School, the effort has been to teach the practical side of Christianity. One Sunday in early spring, when so much thought is turned toward gardening, each child was made to understand that his heart is his garden; that the good, loving, helpful thoughts are the flowers, while the cross thoughts are the weeds to be pulled out. One little four-year-old boy, full of life, started to pinch his neighbor; when, quick as a flash he jerked his hand back to the other in his lap, saying with a bright, happy look into his teacher's face: "I pulled that weed out in a hurry, didn't I?" This healing is found in the Christian Science Journal, January 1891, page 443 A Healing Testimony Mrs. Eddy had a great love for children, and she delighted to heal or help them. In one case, a thirteen-year-old girl was a consumptive and extremely weak. Her father was the janitor of a Boston hall where Mrs. Eddy preached. One Sunday he brought the child to the hall, carried her to a seat, and left her to stay there until he could take her home. After the service, as Mrs. Eddy was leaving the hall, she saw the child and talked with her briefly according to Christian Science. She was healed immediately; her father was amazed when he came for her, as was her mother when they arrived at home. And soon the child was free from even the memory of having been sick. These words are from HISTORICAL SKETCHES by Clifford P. Smith, page 79 ~ A Little One's Healing A mother relates her little girl’s healing: In July of last year, my little daughter, who was four years old, walked into a hornet’s nest in a blueberry swamp, and was quickly covered by hornets. She was very badly stung, before anyone could reach her. There were more than fifty dark purple spots on her head and face, mostly on one side, and her arms and legs were badly stung. A good many of the hornets were picked off, after she was carried from the swamp. The people who saw this were saying that the hornets’ stings would kill her. At first, my own fear was great; but I gathered her in my arms, and tried to realize that God is Love, and mortal mind could not kill my darling. God protected my child, and in about half an hour, she was happy and well without a scar, swelling, or pain. Found in the Christian Science Journal. November 1886, page 207 (edited for children) Children should be taught the Truth-cure Children should be taught the Truth-cure, Christian Science, among their first lessons, and kept from discussing or entertaining theories or thoughts about sickness. To prevent the experience of error and its sufferings, keep out of the minds of your children either sinful or diseased thoughts. The latter should be excluded on the same principle as the former. This makes Christian Science early available. These words are from Science and Health on page 237 by Mary Baker Eddy Lesson for Little Ones ~ “A Little Child Shall Lead Them” A Christian Scientist’s little boy went on a short visit to his grandparents who lived in the country. He had heard the first lessons of God’s saving omnipresence which means that God’s goodness is always present. He treasured this truth in his heart. One day his grandfather became very ill. This little boy, who had never realized any responsibility whatever, became suddenly conscious of an obligation to his grandfather to tell him about God’s all-presence and God’s all-power. At first, he felt very reluctant to say anything, so he went to his grandmother and said, “Grandma, you can cure grandpa as well as I can.” “No,” said his grandmother, “I’m afraid I can’t.” Then Johnnie stopped playing with his toys, and sat down close to his grandfather. Johnnie folded his hands and closed his eyes for about ten minutes. “If you are not better pretty soon, call me in,” he said to his grandfather, as he went outside to run around with the dog. But he was eager to know how his grandfather was feeling, and he did not wait to be called. In a very few minutes he ran in to ask his how grandpa was. His grandfather was no better. Johnnie courageously tried to pray again for his grandpa in the way he had learned in Christian Science. This time there was healing, for suddenly, while he was praying for his grandfather, his grandpa said, “I feel as well as I ever did in my life.” Then Johnnie, satisfied that his grandpa was well, ran off to play. This healing is found in the June 1885, Christian Science Journal on page 63. It has been slightly edited for children. SCIENCE IN CHILDREN Children are natural metaphysicians. A little four-year-old child of a Christian Scientist was overheard talking to herself. Her father said, “Susie, what are you talking about?” “Oh,” she replied, “I was only telling this headache to go off, and it has all gone.” The same little one, hearing her father sneeze said, “You don’t need to sneeze unless you want to, papa. You just think you are not going to, and you won’t.” So little Susie brings her theory into practice, and has already learned what many an older and wiser one has failed to learn. If she falls, she does not admit she is hurt, but jumps up and goes about her play again In this way she forgets her ailments, proving the power of mind over the body. Now a word to the parents of these little ones. Can you not see that this is much more salutary than educating your child into the fear and belief of disease? And, if she has a headache, watching her anxiously until you notice, perhaps, what you term too much color in her face; then you take the little hands in yours, and look and feel for signs of fever, and you begin to conjure up the cause of all this, and wonder if she has taken cold, or eaten something that is indigestible, or has over-played, until your fears and mental images are reflected, and bring out just the result you are looking for. These words are found in the August 1883, Journal of Christian Science, pages 2-3 ~ Children should obey their parents; insubordination is an evil, blighting the buddings of self-government. Parents should teach their children at the earliest possible period the truths of health and holiness. Children are more tractable than adults, and learn more readily to love the simple verities that will make them happy and good. Jesus loved little children because of their freedom from wrong and their receptiveness of right. While age is halting between two opinions or battling with false beliefs, youth makes easy and rapid strides towards Truth. Science and Health page 236 by Mary Baker Eddy ~ A young boy’s healing My little boy, who is eleven years old, tried his new axe for the first time. ‘When he did so, he split his foot. The forward part of the blade went through his foot almost to the other side. There was lots of bleeding. When my boy saw what had happened, he felt faint, and when he heard what his little sister said, “0 dear! I’m afraid that you’ll bleed to death,” he felt very upset indeed, and had symptoms of spasms. But in a few minutes all the fear had gone, and in twelve days the wound, which was two and one half inches in length, was entirely healed. There had been no swelling, no pain, and no inflammation. Christian Science Journal, November 1886, page 207 (edited for children) ~ Laboring long to shake the adult’s faith in matter and to inculcate a grain of faith in God, — an inkling of the ability of Spirit to make the body harmonious, — the author has often remembered our Master’s love for little children, and understood how truly such as they belong to the heavenly kingdom. Science and Health page 130 by Mary Baker Eddy ~ A Young Child Healed by Mary Baker Eddy From babyhood I had been an extremely delicate child, with three generations of serious lung trouble as a background on my father’s side. On one occasion previous to going East with my mother, I developed a severe cold which left me with a deep, hollow-sounding cough. As soon as Mrs. Eddy heard the cough she quickly detected the seriousness of the condition and gave me one treatment, which was all I needed to eradicate completely every vestige of the lung difficulty. The rasping cough ceased at once, and not only did this distressing condition yield, but the whole mortal law which lay back of the trouble was broken, and through the years that followed I have rejoiced in complete freedom from any return of this so-called family inheritance. This healing is found in WE KNEW MARY BAKER EDDY, First Series, Loved Memories of Mary Baker Eddy, by Abigail Dyer Thompson, page 71. ~ A Wonderful Healing About 1882, when Mrs. Eddy moved from Lynn to Boston, she healed a young man named Hanover P. Smith, who did not hear or speak. He had been deaf and dumb from his birth. He was now nineteen years old. He had tried to get relief by medical means, and he had lived in an institution for those who are deaf and dumb. Finally, his mother took him to see Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. Mrs. Eddy healed him quickly. Afterward, Hanover became an active Christian Scientist. This healing, which has been slightly edited, is found on page 83 in HISTORICAL SKETCHES by Clifford P. Smith. ~ Matthew, who was one of Jesus disciples, wrote about what Jesus said and did. In his gospel, his “good news” he told many stories about the people who came to Jesus for healing. Matthew said this in chapter eleven of his gospel: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. ~ In the May 1890, Christian Science Journal, there is a HOME AND CHILDREN’SDEPARTMENT. It is found on page 67. TO MOTHERS It is the object of this Department to present Christian Science in the beauty and potency of truth and purity. We would educate the young “out of sense,” with its beliefs of discordant error, “into Soul,” where all is harmony and Love; so that, here on earth, they may both realize and manifest the Spirit of the Master’s prayer “Thy Kingdom Come.” We would teach them to recognize God’s voice, His all-power and all-presence; the consequent unreality of error — that thus they may be enabled to “follow the Lamb.” Mothers may wield inestimable power to further the work this Department hopes to accomplish. “Mother-love includes Purity and Truth."* The higher mothers educate their little ones in Christian Science, the higher will become the order both of their demonstrations and their words; hence the purer and more elevated will become the tone of this Department which voices them. . . “Children, among their earliest lessons, should be taught the Christ-cure. They should be kept from discussing or entertaining theories or thoughts of sickness. To forestall for them the experiences of error, and its consequent sufferings, keep out of the mind of your children sinful or diseased thoughts. The latter should be excluded on the same Principle as the former. This is Christian Science."* Children are the holy inspirations of divine Love, given to lead us to nobler and better deeds. “Their most important education is to be kept mentally free from impurity."* The recognition of this fact, causes us to desire that only the purest, most unselfish words and deeds enter these columns for their instruction. *Science and Health ~ TO MOTHERS TODAY: The Children’s Corner was begun for precisely the same reason. Beloved Children Beloved children, the world has need of you, — and more as children than as men and women: it needs your innocence, unselfishness, faithful affection, uncontaminated lives. You need also to watch, and pray that you preserve these virtues unstained, and lose them not through contact with the world. What grander ambition is there than to maintain in yourselves what Jesus loved, and to know that your example, more than words, makes morals for mankind! These words, written by Mary Baker Eddy, are found in MISCELLANEOUS WRITINGS on page 110. ~ Lesson for Little Ones When, Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered the Science of Christianity, was only eight years old she had this wonderful experience. Mrs. Eddy has written of this special, spiritual experience in her book titled, RETROSPECTION AND INTROSPECTION on pages 8-9. The word “retrospection means “to look back” — the word “introspection” means “to examine one's own thoughts and experiences. VOICES NOT OUR OWN Many peculiar circumstances and events connected with my childhood throng the chambers of memory. For some twelve months, when I was about eight years old, I repeatedly heard a voice, calling me distinctly by name, three times, in an ascending scale. I thought this was my mother’s voice, and sometimes went to her, beseeching her to tell me what she wanted. Her answer was always, “Nothing, child! What do you mean?” Then I would say, “Mother, who did call me? I heard somebody call Mary, three times!” This continued until I grew discouraged, and my mother was perplexed and anxious. One day, when my cousin, Mehitable Huntoon, was visiting us, and I sat in a little chair by her side, in the same room with grandmother, — the call again came, so loud that Mehitable heard it, though I had ceased to notice it. Greatly surprised, my cousin turned to me and said, “Your mother is calling you!” but I answered not, till again the same call was thrice repeated. Mehitable then said sharply, “Why don’t you go? your mother is calling you!” I then left the room, went to my mother, and once more asked her if she had summoned me? She answered as always before. Then I earnestly declared my cousin had heard the voice, and said that mother wanted me. Accordingly she returned with me to grandmother’s room, and led my cousin into an adjoining apartment. The door was ajar, and I listened with bated breath. Mother told Mehitable all about this mysterious voice, and asked if she really did hear Mary’s name pronounced in audible tones. My cousin answered quickly, and emphasized her affirmation. That night, before going to rest, my mother read to me the Scriptural narrative of little Samuel, and bade me, when the voice called again, to reply as he did, “Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth.” The voice came; but I was afraid, and did not answer. Afterward I wept, and prayed that God would forgive me, resolving to do, next time, as my mother had bidden me. When the call came again I did answer, in the words of Samuel, but never again to the material senses was that mysterious call repeated. ~ The Soul-inspired patriarchs heard the voice of Truth, and talked with God as consciouscly as man talks with man. These words are found on page 308 in Science and Health. ~ Is not the propagation of the human species a greater responsibility, a more solemn charge, than the culture of your garden or the raising of stock to increase your flocks and herds? Nothing unworthy of perpetuity should be transmitted to children. The formation of mortals must greatly improve to advance mankind. These words are on page 61 in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, written by Mary Baker Eddy. ~ A Little Girl’s Healing This is a true story about a little girl, whose mother had once been sick in bed for a long time. And then her mother was healed through Christian Science treatment. Because of her all-Love and that God is everyone’s Father-Mother, and that God makes everyone well and good and happy, and that sickness is not true, because good is true. Sickness is a false belief, a false thought. The little girl learned that when she thought true and loving thoughts all the error thoughts, the unhappy, wrong thoughts, were chased away, just as when the light is turned on, the darkness instantly goes away. One morning the little girl thought that she would not be able to go to school, because she seemed to have a very bad headache which felt like it belonged to her, that the headache was really in her head and not in false thought. She began to pray as she had learned to do, relying on God, divine Love to heal her, and she went to school. When she got to class she felt so ill that she could not see what the teacher and written on the blackboard. Because she was absolutely sure of the spiritual truth, the spiritual fact, that God always kept her perfectly well, she continued to pray, to think about what was true, and not about what was not true. She was happy knowing what was true about God and about God’s child, even though, for a while, she still felt sick. And because error always has to go away in the presence of Truth, soon the headache, or error, was gone. The little girl had proved that the error of sickness was not true at all, because her Father-Mother God who loved her dearly had never made a headache. Her Father-Mother God would never make her sick or sad. When she got home from school, she was so excited to tell her mother about her wonderful healing, and she was especially glad to know the truth that God is Love and that God only gives good to His children. Her mother was so happy, and pleased that her little girl had understood that God, Love, is everywhere, all the time, and that God would never let anything bad happen to His beloved child. Her young daughter had learned this truth for herself and had seen the false belief fade into nothing. A few days later, the little girl went to a friend’s house to play, but now her friend had a headache and did not want to play. So she walked back home, and as she walked, she thought about her lovely healing and how she wished that everyone could be healed by God, divine Love, just as she had been. And then she realized another wonderful truth. She realized that she was only really healed of headaches when she understood that nobody ever had a headache, because headaches were not real. Headaches were not made by God, divine Love, and so they were just false beliefs, false thoughts. And false thoughts, or beliefs could not stay in the presence of true facts. She couldn’t wait to talk to her mother about what she had realized. Her mother was so happy because her little girl had understood the truth that God never made headaches, and so no one ever really had a headache. Her little girl had had more than a healing. Her little girl had realized what is true, and what is true for one, is true for everyone, everywhere, all the time, always. The little girl realized that this must have been the way that Jesus healed so many people. She thought quietly to herself, surely there could be nothing lovelier or greater than this to do in all the world. That day there was born in the little girl’s heart the holy desire to become a Christian Science practitioner. This healing in its original form is titled “A Child’s Demonstration.” It is found on page 947, in the August 1st, 1931, Christian Science Sentinel. This little girl grew up to be a loving, spiritually minded woman who became a Christian Science practitioner and then a teacher of Christian Science. Her name: Julia Michael Johnston. ~ Is not the propagation of the human species a greater responsibility, a more solemn charge, than the culture of your garden or the raising of stock to increase your flocks and herds? Nothing unworthy of perpetuity should be transmitted to children. The formation of mortals must greatly improve to advance mankind. These words are on page 61 in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, written by Mary Baker Eddy. ~ Walter’s Healing I have a little boy named Walter who is three and a half years old. He has good demonstrations of Christian Science healing. One night last week, we went to call on my parents, who live here. To human sense, they are very much opposed to Christian Science. My little son went over to play with one of the neighbor’s children. When they were playing, Walter got struck with a piece of iron which cut quite a gash over the eye. There seemed to be a lot of bleeding and quite a lump. They carried my little boy over to me. I told them to set him down, because he was all right. We had three quarters of a mile to walk, and before we reached home the swelling had disappeared — never blacking his eye a particle. On Sunday, when there was only a little scab over the cut, we visited our folks again. Their first words were, “Walter, what is the matter with your eye?” Walter made a firm reply, “There is no matter.” They asked, “Did it hurt when it was bleeding?” “No, said Walter, “It couldn’t hurt, because God can’t be hurt.” This rebuke was so strong that it calmed the material senses. Children are a good demonstration to us. It shows us that we must humble ourselves and become as innocent and pure in thought. They hold no hatred. This testimony of healing is found in the January, 1891, Christian Science Journal on page 443. It has been lightly edited. Walter proved this statement found in Science and Health on page 120: Science reverses the false testimony of the physical senses, and by this reversal mortals arrive at the fundamental facts of being. Then the question inevitably arises: Is a man sick if the material senses indicate that he is in good health? No! for matter can make no conditions for man. And is he well if the senses say he is sick? Yes, he is well in Science in which health is normal and disease is abnormal. Health is not a condition of matter, but of Mind; nor can the material senses bear reliable testimony on the subject of health. The Science of Mind-healing shows it to be impossible for aught but Mind to testify truly or to exhibit the real status of man. Therefore the divine Principle of Science, reversing the testimony of the physical senses, reveals man as harmoniously existent in Truth, which is the only basis of health; and thus Science denies all disease, heals the sick, overthrows false evidence, and refutes materialistic logic. ~ A Testimony from Kansas A terrible accident befell our little Lizzie last fall. She was thrown from a horse, dragged several blocks, and was unconscious most of the time for three days. She seemed to recover from this; but for the last four or five months she has had a cough, and most of the time she has been very miserable. She would complain of pain in the head, which she carried forward or on one side, and said it felt as though it would drop off. She also complained of soreness of the spine, just below the neck. She had a gathering in her head, and afterwards much pain in her ears and teeth. I write this minutely to show you how ill she was. After reading your last letter (which was a letter telling her about Christian Science), which I have read and reread to understand the Truth, I said to her one day, “Lizzie, you are perfectly well, and now I will tell you why. All your strength is from God, and your Life is God. You can do nothing except as He gives you strength to do it. Know that God is perfect, and that His strength is perfect strength. There can be no imperfection or weakness in you. He created you perfect, in His own image and likeness.” This, and much more, was said to her, and she said she understood it. That day, a physician, a near neighbor, said he would prepare a tonic for her. He left the bottle at the house, but it has never been opened. This occurred about three weeks ago, and a greater transformation I have never witnessed. She seems as well as ever, eats heartily, plays, and acts like herself. The first few days I watched her closely, and when I would say, “Lizzie, you feel all right, do you not?” She would always answer, “I am all right, anyway.” I have since asked her if her head had ached since our conversation. She said: “Once or twice it commenced to ache; but I thought of what you told me, and the ache stopped at once.” Before, she looked like a corpse, — so frail and lifeless Now she is full of life, and looks as well as ever. I think it is perfectly wonderful. This testimony of healing is found in the Christian Science Journal, December 1887 on page 473. It has been slightly edited. ~ Mary Baker Eddy has written in Science and Health on page 424: Accidents are unknown to God, or immortal Mind, and we must leave the mortal basis of belief and unite with the one Mind, in order to change the notion of chance to the proper sense of God’s unerring direction and thus bring out harmony. Under divine Providence there can be no accidents, since there is no room for imperfection in perfection. ~ KNOWING MRS. EDDY A young mother, who had been ill for a long, long time, and who had been healed by Christian Science treatment, often told her little daughter the story of her visit with Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. This visit with Mary Baker Eddy had happened soon after the young mother’s wonderful healing. The little girl never tired of hearing this special story. And her mother never tired of telling it. Her mother said: “It was very wonderful to be free from suffering after so many years. But I wanted to know how I had been healed. I had only talked with a Christian Scientist about half and hour and knew nothing more about Christian Science than she had told me, when the healing came. Of course I knew the Bible and that it says in Psalms that God is the one ‘who healeth all thy diseases.’ But I did not understand this. The I found out about ‘Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures’ and learned that its author, Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, was living in Boston, Massachusetts, which seemed a long way from here. But I wanted to go to see her and to tell her about my healing and to learn more of this great truth. Father wanted me to go, too. So one day I left home alone for Boston. When I arrived in Boston I asked the way to Mrs. Eddy’s home. I thought everyone would know where Mrs. Eddy lived. At first no one whom I asked could tell me; but finally I reached her home, and when I was received the maid told me that Mrs. Eddy would see me in a few moments. I waited, and in a short while Mrs. Eddy came downstairs. The moment I saw her I knew that I was in the presence of one inspired of God.” Her little girl asked, “And you told her about your healing, Mother?”“Yes, Mrs. Eddy asked me all about it. When I had finished, she took my face between her hands and looked into my eyes, and through them, and way out beyond, and said, ‘Why, dear, you were healed straight from God, just the way I was.’” The little girl and her mother were very quiet for a while as they considered the wonderful story and what had happened that day. Then the little girl said, “I wish I could have seen Mrs. Eddy, too.” Very tenderly her mother replied, “Dear, if you grow to understand Mrs. Eddy’s writings so that you can heal the sick and the sinning through their teachings, you will have seen her more truly than if you had looked upon her person. Through the following years, the little girl learned that her mother was right. Mrs. Eddy has told all those who follow her in the way of Christ Science may truly know her. Mrs. Eddy has written this: “Those who look for me in person, or elsewhere than in my writings, lose me instead of find me. I hope and trust that you and I may meet in truth and know each other there, and know as we are known of God.” These words are found in the book, The First Church of Christ and Miscellany, on page 120. The original story can be found in the December 23, 1939, Christian Science Sentinel. It is written by Julia Michael Johnston, a Christian Science practitioner and teacher, who was the little girl in the story. In her book, MARY BAKER EDDY: HER MISSION AND TRIUMPH, published in 1946, Mrs. Johnston writes of her mother’s wonderfiul, spiritual healing. It begins on page 93, in the chapter “Spiritual Pioneering.” ~ A Remarkable Case Nine years ago my only child was hovering between life and death. Some of the best physicians in Boston had pronounced his case incurable, saying that if he lived he would always be an invalid and a cripple. One of the diseases was gastric catarrh. He was allowed to eat but very few things, and even after taking every precaution, he suffered to the extent that he would lie in spasms for half a day. He also had rickets; physicians saying that there was not a natural bone in his body. It was while he was in what seemed to be his greatest agony, and when I was in the darkest despair, that I first heard of Christian Science. The bearer of the joyful tidings could only tell me to come and hear of the wonderful things that Christian Science was doing. I accepted the invitation, for I was willing to try anything to save my child, and the following Friday evening I attended my first meeting, which was in The Mother Church of Christ, Scientist. Long before the service began every seat was filled, which was amazing to me, being an ordinary weekly meeting, and that night I realized from the testimonies given that Christian Science was the religion for which I had been searching for years. The next day I went to find a practitioner, but was unable to get the one who had been recommended, he being too busy. On my way home I thought of some of the testimonies which I had heard the night before, - of people being healed by simply reading Science and Health. I resolved at once to borrow a copy, and not dreaming of the sacrifice that my friend would make by conferring such a favor, I went and asked her for a loan of Science and Health. I never saw any one part so reluctantly with a book as my friend did with her copy of the textbook. I read it silently and audibly, day and night, in my home, and although I could not seem to understand it, yet the healing commenced to take place at once. The little mouth which had been twisted by spasms grew natural and the child was soon able to be up, playing and romping about the house as any child should. About this time we decided to move to the far West. I was young in Science at the time, and my husband greatly feared that the journey would cause a relapse for the child, but instead, he continued to improve. I constantly read the Bible, Science and Health, and Miscellaneous Writings, the two weeks we traveled, and we were the only ones in our car who, throughout the journey, did not get train sick. The child’s limbs grew perfectly straight, he ate anything he wanted, and for years he has been a natural, healthy child in every way. He has passed through some of the worst forms of contagion untouched and unharmed. I had been reading Science and Health several months, before I gave any thought to myself and my numerous complaints. I had never been very strong, and some of my ailments were supposed to be hereditary and chronic, hence I dragged through many tedious years with a belief in medical laws and hereditary laws resting upon me. Just before I commenced reading Science and Health I spent a half day in having my eyes examined by one of the leading oculists in Boston. His verdict was that my eyes were in a dreadful condition, and that I would always need to wear glasses. In the meantime I commenced to read Science and Health, and when I thought of my eyes, I had no need for glasses. The years that I have been in Science I have used my eyes incessantly, night as well as day, doing all kinds of trying work and without requiring the aid of glasses. I was healed of all my complaints whilst seeking the truth for my child, and many of them have never returned. Those that appeared simply came to the surface to be destroyed. Teeth have been restored and facial blemishes removed, unconsciously, simply by reading Science and Health. All of this is, however, nothing to compare with the spiritual uplifting which I have received, and I have everything to be thankful for. — M. T. W., Los Angeles, Cal. This testimony is found in Science and Health in the chapter called “Fruitage.” It begins on page 613. ~ Teaching Mama Christian Science A lady who has been very successful in healing says she owes it mainly to her two little daughters. She wrote the following: I should have stumbled many a time, through my blindness, had not their clear perception of Truth and their watchfulness saved me. They are so wise in their childlike way! One day my little Lilla overheard me say that I had so many patients I thought I could not take any more.”Oh, yes, mamma, you can!” she said in a sweet persuasive manner, “for the more patients you have the more patience you will have!” This encouragement to persevere in my labor of Love, proved of incalculable value to me; for in taking more patients, I lost more of self and gained a better understanding of the Divine Spirit of self-sacrifice. This healing is found in the September 1890, Christian Science Journal, page 243 ~ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: Freely ye have received, freely give. These words were said by Christ Jesus to his disciples. They can be found in Matthew’s gospel, chapter 10, verse 8. Freely Give A young girl, who was a Christian Scientist, was invited to attend quite a large party given by a friend in Boston. When nearly all the guests had arrived, the young hostess said, “My cousin is coming. She has hip-disease, and has to go on crutches. I want you all to be kind to her, and not to laugh at her; for it would make her feel badly.” Soon her cousin arrived, and the children were all most amiable and gentle with her. The young Christian Scientist could not forget the little girl who was crippled, and for days afterwards, she talked to her mother almost constantly about her. At last her mother said, “Why don’t you heal your little friend?” Straightaway she asked her new friend if Christian Science treatment would be accepted, and it was. And so, she began to pray faithfully twice each day, continuing to do so for nearly three weeks. The two girls were members of the same Sunday School. For two Sundays the little girl came with her crutches, but on the third Sunday, she came without them. The young Christian Scientist was filled with joy and happiness to witness the wonderful healing of her new friend. When afterwards her new friend asked how the Christian Scientist prayed, she answered, “Why, just this. God made everything, and everything He made is good. He made you, and He never made any lame girls.” This healing is found in the Christian ScienceJournal, May 1890, page 70. It has been edited. ~ Blessed Are The Peacemakers
Another little friend, only seven years old, says, “When people are cross or scold now, I always think, “Poor things! Error seems real to them, when really it is nothing, and they are God’s children, — all Good, and Love, and Truth. So I treat that all is harmony and peace, and soon everything is peaceable.” “Blessed are the peacemakers” says the Sermon on the Mount, and the children prove how blessed with the dews of God’s mercy they are. This is found in the Christian Science Journal, June, 1890, pages 106-107 ~ Here is a beautiful prayer written by Mary Baker Eddy. It is found on page 389 of Miscellaneous Writings THE MOTHER’S EVENING PRAYER O gentle presence, peace and joy and power; Love is our refuge; only with mine eye O make me glad for every scalding tear, Beneath the shadow of His mighty wing; No snare, no fowler, pestilence or pain; ~ And though I have the gift of prophecy, And understand all mysteries, And all knowledge; And though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, And have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, And though I give my body to be burned, And have not charity, It profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; Charity envieth not; Charity vaunteth not itself, Is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, Seeketh not her own, Is not easily provoked, Thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, Believeth all things, Hopeth all things, Endureth all things. Charity never faileth: The Apostle Paul wrote these words. They are found in the King James Bible in the New Testament, in Paul’s First letter to the Corinthians. Look in Chapter 13. This is just a little of what the word Charity means: Love, Kindness, Helping the needy or the suffering, Mercy. ~ All Is Love A little boy quarreled with his nanny one morning, and wouldn’t get dressed. “Why, Harry!” said his mother, coming into the room, “What is all this fuss about, dear?” “I guess,” said Harry, looking ashamed, “It is because error told me that God wasn’t omnipresent, and all wasn’t harmony and peace. But, I’ll treat the error, mamma.” So Harry threw himself on the bed, buried his face in the pillow, and lay silent for about ten minutes. Then he got up, flung his arms about his nanny’s neck, and kissed her. “I do love you, Hannah, and I am God’s boy, and all is Love,” said he, his face radiant with love and joy at the victory he had won over the error. Harry’s story is from the Christian Science Journal June 1890, page 108. It has been edited slightly. ~ Love is kind and suffers long, These words are from the Christian Science Hymnal, Hymn 173. ~ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, Or a tinkling cymbal. The rest of the words the Apostle Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians: But whether there be prophecies, They shall fail; Whether there be tongues, They shall cease; Whether there be knowledge, It shall vanish away. For we know in part, And we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, Then that which is in part shall be done away. ‘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. For now we see through a glass, darkly; But then face to face: Now I know in part; But then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, These three; But the greatest of these is charity. ~ A Child Practices Love and Forgiveness A little girl who had been wrongfully accused, and had also suffered serous injustice at the hands of her teacher, came home and told her mother all about it. Her mother was inclined to be very angry and to be resentful, but her little girl, who was only seven years old, said, “Mother, it cannot hurt me, can it? Because it is wrong. But I feel sorry for teacher, because Mrs. Eddy says: ‘The wrong done another reacts most heavily against one’s self’ so she will have to suffer. The next day the teacher was sick and did not come to school. On her way home at noon at lunchtime, the little girl picked a large bunch of daisies, and, instead of eating her lunch, carried them to the teacher’s house, asked to see her, and was admitted to her teacher’s room. After presenting the flowers, she said, “I came to see if you would let me help you. I am a Christian Scientist.” Her teacher replied, “Yes, if you think you can help me, you may. Though the teacher did not believe that the child could really help her, she was quite won over by the little girl’s sweet and forgiving disposition. Without another word the little one sat down beside the bed and covered her eyes with her hand. She was praying as she had learned to do in Christian Science. After a brief silence the teacher’s headache was gone. When the child arose to go, the teacher, who had been so unkind and unjust, stopped her, and drawing the sweet face down to her own, kissed her, then said, “Dear child, I was wrong yesterday. Will you forgive me?” This testimony of healing is found in the June 1890, Christian Science Journal on page 109. It has been edited. ~ The vital part, the heart and soul of Christian Science, is Love. These words are found in Science and Health on page 113. The word vital means: of the utmost importance, essential. ~ “FEED MY SHEEP” Shepherd, show me how to go I will listen for Thy voice, Thou wilt bind the stubborn will, So, when day grows dark and cold, These words were written by Mary Baker Eddy. They are found in Miscellaneous Writings on pages 397-398. ~ A HELPFUL HEALING I think I never realized what fear meant until I began to try and put into practice my understanding of Christian Science for my children. I have proved, however, many times, that fear can neither help nor hinder in our demonstration of truth. The first time I realized this was in the overcoming of a severe case of croup for my little boy. I was awakened one night by the sound that seems to bring terror to every mother’s heart, and found the little fellow sitting up in bed, gasping for breath. I got up, took him in my arms, and went into the next room. My first thought was, “0 if only there was another Christian Scientist in town!” But there was not, and the work must be done and done quickly. I tried to treat him, but was so frightened I could not think; so I picked up Science and Health, which lay on the table beside me, and began reading aloud. I had read but a few lines when these words came to me as though a voice spoke, “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.” Almost immediately after, the little one said, “Mamma, sing ‘Shepherd,”’ — our Leader’s hymn, that both the big and the little children love. I began singing, and commencing with the second line, the little voice joined me. I shall never forget the feeling of joy and peace that came over me, when I realized how quickly God’s word, through Science and Health and the beautiful hymn, had accomplished the healing work. This is only one of many instances in which the power of God’s word to heal has been demonstrated in our home. — A. J. G., Riverside, Cal. This testimony is from Science and Health on page 619.This is a portion of the testimony. ~ From Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures on page 468: Question: What is the scientific statement of being? Answer. — There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all. Spirit is immortal Truth; matter is mortal error. Spirit is the real and eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal. Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual. ~ From Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures on pages 16-17: Here let me give what I understand to be the spiritual sense of the Lord’s Prayer: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. ~ Testimony of Healing When Christian Science first came into our home I was in deep despair and darkness. Our son, then two years old, had been ill since birth, and had been under the care of a baby specialist. He had grown worse, rather than better, and I was fast losing faith in doctors and medicine. I had seen some outstanding healings through Christian Science in the home of my sister, who is a student of Science. One day, it suddenly came to me to try this Science for our son. I immediately took steps to get the textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. I also asked for help from a Christian Science practitioners. I began reading the textbook, and became so absorbed in it that I could not put it down. To learn that God is Love and does not send suffering upon His children was indeed a revelation to me, for I had previously feared Him. I threw out all medicines, and relied wholly upon Christian Science. Needless to say, our son was beautifully healed. He is now a healthy young man of nineteen, and has been a pupil in the Christian Science Sunday school all these years. This is found in the December 2, 1939, Christian Science Sentinel, page 335. It is a portion of the testimony. ~ CHILDREN. The spiritual thoughts and representatives of Life, Truth, and Love. These words are found in Science and Health on page 582. ~ Jesus loved little children because of their freedom from wrong and their receptiveness of right. While age is halting between two opinions or battling with false beliefs, youth makes easy and rapid strides towards Truth. These words are found in Science and Health, written by Mary Baker Eddy, on page 236 ~ The little folks are far more Scientific than their mammas Our baby, not quite three years old, stumbled and hit his head on the corner of the door. His little sister, of seven years, who was standing in the window, said: “You’re all right. Error can’t hurt you; can it, Robbie?” “No,” came the quick response. “Me all right!” And he continued his play, and in a few moments forgot all about his little mishap. When his mamma came in, the little sister told her about it. “Did it leave a mark?” asked her mother. “No,” said the child. “It couldn’t. It was error; so it never happened.” This testimony is found in the June 1890, Christian Science Journal, pages 108-109 ~ My little boy once fell downstairs backward, putting both feet through a pane of glass, breaking it into a thousand pieces, and cutting both stockings and under-clothing badly; but there was not a bruise, cut, or a scratch even, upon his body. I could not reach him in time to prevent the fall; but realized that a child of God could not fall, that there were no accidents in God in whom we “live, and move, and have our being.” Then I went calmly downstairs, feeling the omnipotence and omnipresence of Divine Love, and picked him up. He looked up at me as if a little dazed, and said: “I’m not a bit hurt, mamma, dear; but I guess I hit my head somewhere!” That ended it. He utters many wonderful truths that give us plenty of food for thought, and keeps the true Light constantly in remembrance. The other day his papa mentioned that he had forgotten something. Turning with brilliant eyes, and shaking his head in reproof, he said: “Why, papa, there is no forgetting in Truth!” What a blessing Christian Science is in the government of our households! I come more and more each day into the realization of what a glorious thing it is in the home. This testimony is found in the August 1890, Christian Science Journal, pages 198-200. It has been slightly edited. ~ Mary Baker Eddy wrote this about ANGELS: When angels visit us, we do not hear the rustle of wings, nor feel the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but we know their presence by the love they create in our hearts. Oh, may you feel this touch, — it is not the clasping of hands, nor a loved person present; it is more than this: it is a spiritual idea that lights your path! The Psalmist saith: “He shall give His angels charge over thee.” God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for tomorrow it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment. What a glorious inheritance is given to us through the understanding of omnipresent Love! More we cannot ask: more we do not want: more we cannot have. This sweet assurance is the “Peace, be still” to all human fears, to suffering of every sort. This is found in Miscellaneous Writings pages 306 and 307. ~ Beloved, let us love; for Love is God; Beloved, let us love: for they who love, Beloved, let us love: for love is light, Beloved, let us love: for only thus This is Hymn 21 in the Christian Science Hymnal. ~ Human affection is not poured forth vainly, even though it meet no return. Love enriches the nature, enlarging, purifying, and elevating it. The wintry blasts of earth may uproot the flowers of affection, and scatter them to the winds; but this severance of fleshly ties serves to unite thought more closely to God, for Love supports the struggling heart until it ceases to sigh over the world and begins to unfold its wings for heaven. These words were written by Mary Baker Eddy and are found on page 57 of Science and Health. ~ From Someone Who Knew Mary Baker Eddy- As I think back through the years that I knew Mrs. Eddy, I always feel that the secret of her great achievements could be explained on no other basis than her at-one-ment with God and her boundless spirit of universal love for all mankind. Prior to my taking class instructions with Mrs. Eddy, this was beautifully expressed to me once by our Leader in conversation, in the words she used to describe her healing work, which, as near as I can recall, were as follows: I saw the love of God encircling the universe and man, filling all space, and that divine Love so permeated my own consciousness that I loved with Christlike compassion everything I saw. This realization of divine Love called into expression “the beauty of holiness, the perfection of being” (Science and Health, p. 253), which healed, and regenerated, and saved all who turned to me for help. The way Mrs. Eddy said the word “Love” made me feel that she must have loved even a blade of grass under her feet. The spiritual healing that Mary Baker Eddy started more than three quarters of a century agois increasing in its abundance year by year. As the harvest song of gratitude for Christian Science rises throughout the world, her name will be enshrined in the hearts of humanity-, therefore it is natural that her followers are eager, in the words of the Scriptures, to “give her of the fruit fo her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates” (Proverbs 31:31). From the We Knew Mary Baker Eddy First Series, 1943, Loved Memories of Mary Baker Eddy, by Abigail Dyer Thompson, pages 74-75. ~ Mary Baker Eddy has said: "For Love alone is Life." Miscellaneous Writings, page 388. ~ A healing from Miscellaneous Writings on pages 444 and 445: A dear little six-year old boy of my acquaintance was invited by his teacher, with the rest of his class in kindergarten school, to attend a picnic one afternoon. He did not feel that he wanted to go; seemed dumpish, and according to mortal belief was not well; at noon, he said he wanted to go to sleep. His mother took him in her lap and began to read to him from “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.” Very soon he expressed a wish to go to the picnic, and did go. His father, happening to pass the place where the little ones were spending the afternoon, and somewhat surprised to see him playing, as happy and active as any there, called to him and asked, “How long did you sleep?” The little fellow replied, “I did not sleep at all; mamma read to me from Science and Health, and I was well in a minute.” — K. L. H. ~ Here is Mary Baker Eddy’s spiritual sense of the 23rd Psalm. It is found on page 578 of Science and Health: PSALM XXIII [DIVINE LOVE] is my shepherd; I shall not want.
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