The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1938-05-27

The Mother Church, The F1rst Church
of Christ Scientist, in Boston, Massa-
chusetts
Delivered under the, auspices OF
First Church of Christ, Scientist, at
Lyric Theatre.
The lecturer spoke substantially as
follows:
Doubtless some of us will recall the
story about a man who one day set
out to find the temple of fame. Be-
lieving it to be on the summit OF
far-off mountain, he spent years
reaching his destination, only to learn
that the temple Of fame was to be
found in the midst Of the valley
whence he came. Similarly, it may be
that many of us have sought distant
heaven, only to learn eventually that
heaven is not to be found by going
somewhere, whether here or hereafter,
but by being practically truthful, I'M
selfish. and loving wherever we are, in
the everyday walks of Life. To his
own question, "Who shall ascend into
the hill of the Lord? or who shall
stand in his holy place." the Psalmlst
replies, "He that hath clean hands,
and a pure heart; who hath not lifted
up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn de-
ceitfully."
And so / repeat that no ideal loca-
ton will ever be found in the realm
of matter or, more accurately speak
ing. the realm of material belief; for
matter has no reality, presence, nor
power apart from belief. Neverthe-
less, there is a way by which we can
realize our fondest earthly hopes and
wonder of wonders!-we can accom-
plish it without so much as changing
our location. We can stay right where
we are and, through the teaching OF
Christian Science, change our point OF
view from material to a spiritual,
from a harsh and selfish to helpful
and loving, basis. Through this change,
we can learn how to heal the sick,
overcome lack, and destroy for our
selves and others the indulgence OF
false appetite and other phases OF
wrong-doing.
No truer and more Illuminating lines
have ever been written than those
which will be found on page 248 OF
Science and Health, where Mrs. Eddy
says, "Let unselfishness, goodness,
mercy, justice, health, holiness, love
the kingdom of heaven-reign within
us, and sin, disease, and death will
diminish until they finally disappear"
Beliefs Versus Needs
Evidences of healing by spiritual
means have become SO widespread
that most observing persons will now
admit that Christian Science, rightly
understood, destroys fear, bestows
happiness and contentment, and pro-
notes compassion and helpfulness.
They will admit also that Christian
Science is capable of making healthy
and strong those who are hopelessly
ill; that it can set free those who are
addicted to narcotics, alcohol, nicotine,
and other enslaving drugs; and that it
can make discordant homes harmoni-
GUS, comfort the sorrowing and inspire
the discouraged with new hope and
fresh initiative.
This is the same as saying that
Christian Science is capable of solving
every human problem, including the
problem that may seem to be yours,
whether it be physical, moral, or
financial. On this account, Christian
Science should appeal favorably to
everyone. That many are responding
to it's compassionate appeal is evident
in the worldwide and rapid growth of
the Christian Science movement.
"But," someone may be saying, "why
does not everyone respond to it? If
what you say is true, why does not
the whole world eagerly embrace its
teaching?" To those unacquainted
with the carnal minds antagonism to
spiritual truth, these are hard ques-
lions. Only Christian Science can
answer them satisfactorily.
No doubt, all processing Christians
believe that, if they had lived in the
days of Jesus, they would have un-
hesitatingly embraced his teaching
and become his followers. To have
seen him heal leprosy, blindness, in
sanity, deafness, epilepsy, and raise
the dead would-we now confidently
say-have convinced everyone. But
did it convince everyone in those days?
It should have done so; but, instead
Of joyfully accepting the healings as
unquestionable proofs of divine power,
some Of those who were witnesses be-
came enraged, declared the healings
were the work of the devil, and hasten
ed to report Jesus to the authorities
at Jerusalem. The latter, in turn,
sought to put him to death, lest all
the people should follow him. To de-
fend their theological beliefs, even to
the extent of shedding innocent blood,
seemed to be more important than to
learn the practicable truth about God
and man.
Now, my friends, who among you
wants to shut out helpfulness? Who
wants to permit his fears, his doubts,
and his suspicious to rob him of the
limitless opportunities for good which
Christian Science reveals? Thanks to
Mary Baker Eddy, never again need