The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-17
Florence Mddaugh mpresses Christian Science Audience


 mistake. However, if you simply rnennorize it, it will do you no good: you must practice it." The Korean Christian smiled and replied, That's the way I learned it." When asked what he meant, he said: T am only Q stupid farmer, and when tried to nnemorize 1t the verses wouldn't stick So I hit upon this plan. II lnemofized one verse and then went out and practiced that verse on my neighbors until had 1t; then I took the next verse and repeated the process until I had learned 1t all"
 Mrs. Eddy says (Message for 1901, p. ID, ITO my sense the Sermon on the Mount, read each Sunday with out comment and oheyed through out the week would be enough for Christian practice" Obeyed through out the week, not just read on Sum- day and forgotten throughout the week. @
 Jesus made it possible for all to follow his example, by giving us the perfect pattern. His teachings are simple and direct. He depicted the attributes of his own character in the Beatltudes, and his Sermon on the Mount does not ask us to do anything that he did not live and practice himself.
 You will notice in your study of the Beatitudes, which preface the Sermon on the Mount. that Jesus exalted those traits of character which the world does not generally look upon as important or worthy of acclaim. But he declares that the very highest awards of heaven and earth are given to the meek, the poor in spirit-those who recognize their need of spirituality-the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and 50 on. To those he promises the richesG of rewards-the kingdom of heaven, that they may inherit the earth, and even see God. Full recompense Is promised for those who patiently and uncomplainingly journey on- ward in spite of persecution, criti- cisrn, and misunderstanding. We do not need to translate the Beatitudes into terms of modern living. but we do need to translate our everyady lives into the terms of the Beati- tudes.
 While in the Beatitudes Jesus enumerated the blessings which are received by those who follow his example in deed and in truth, in the Sermon on the Mount he explained more fully just what one must do in order to enter into the kingdom of heaven, a harmonious state of existence. It reminds us that If we want to be well or happy, contented or successful, we need first to start mending and building character, purifying and unselflng motives and aims, that we must bring love, mercy, justice, ct cetera, into our dealings with our fellow men. Then, soon we shall find that the good things for which we pray to our heavenly Father are ours; we have always had them. Sometimes we fail to receive answers to prayer be- cause we have let selflshness, greed, hatred, impurity, injustice, and hardness of heart build stone wall around us through which little of the sunshine of Gods love can pen- citrate and get to us.
 One of the most impressive truths ever given to the world is that God is love-" The Apostle John declared 1t and the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science reminds her students over and over again that without an understanding and con- sciousness of this Love they cannot hope to accomplish anything-that 1t Is the very core of their religion. What is this Love which is God? Is 1t like unto human love, which may turn to hate, which selects choice few for its favor, which possesses, and loves its own better than an- others? The Love which is God Is never absent, never cold or unyield- ing. It is universal, impartial, changeless, infinite. It Is the most effectual and lasting remedy for any evil.
 Suppose you just try for one day and see what this Love will do for you. There is not difficulty that can confront you that will not respond to the healing influence of Love, de vine Love, if you will express 1t. If you do not know how, you can learn how. There is not one of us but needs to express more love. There Is nothing that Love cannot heal, or reach. But 1t is divine Love with in you, expressed by you, that meets your need, and the need of those who come in contact with you.
 Healing
 Religious creeds and doctrines for centuries have extended to the sin- ner a hope of forgiveness and salva- ton, but to the sick and suffering they have offered no such promise. In the Christian Science textbook Mrs. Eddy states tp. 166): ITO ig- nore God as of little use in sickness is a mistake. Instead of thrusting Him aside in times of bodily trouble, and waiting for the hour of strength in which to acknowledge Him, we should learn that He can do all things for us in sickness as in health"
 Christian Science teaches that when God says to His children, "All that I have is thine," He means just that, and that this means Life, which includes health, Love, which includes health, Love, which inc cludes happiness, and Truth, which includes wisdom and understanding.
 Mortals ask God to forgive their sins, but turn to physiology or an- atomy to tell them how to take care of their bodies. and give them health. They would place life in a material body. and look to matter to instruct them how to care for their bodies in order that life might be preserved. Contrary to this view, Jesus emphatically said, And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent"
 One may say, Would you have me ..~~fank s..s, t.<sslxy s1A JtUA iyS AAfi0 YlNa