Sim Andrew Kolliner, C.S.B. of St. Paul, Minnesota
Member of the Board of Lectureship of The Mother
Church,
The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts
A Christian Science lecture is a blessed experience. During and following this lecture, I am confident we shall all be greatly blessed. I have received many letters from grateful people, relating healings of (* * *) tism, neuralgia, sorrow, influenza, business problems, maladjustments, sin, antagonism to Mary Baker Eddy and to Christian Science. The writers stated that these healings were the direct result of hearing a Christian Science lecture. The degree of our expectancy largely determines the amount of good we receive.
An earnest study of Christian Science throws new light on the teachings of the Bible, and gives us a practical, demonstrable knowledge of God. The right idea of God is indeed our salvation. On page 587 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, we find this inspiring definition of God, "The great I AM; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal; Principle; Mind; Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence." God is all-inclusive, all-embracing, omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient. God is the only cause and creator, the sustaining infinite. Our individual concept of God is most important, because it affects our whole attitude toward life. As we learn through our study of the Bible and the Christian Science textbook that God is Love, and has only good in His plan for man, only kindness in His provision for him, we experience a much greater degree of security and happiness.
The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, has written, "Christian Science brings God much nearer to man, and makes Him better known as the All-in-all, forever near" (ibid., p. 596). What a joy it is to realize that God is omnipresent, forever near, always with us! Wherever we are, irrespective of the problems that seem to harass us, it is our privilege to realize that God is "a very present help in trouble." As the Psalmist wrote: "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. . . . How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. " (Ps. 139)
"As adherents of Truth, we take the inspired Word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal Life." (Science and Health, p. 497) This illuminating statement is the first tenet of Christian Science. Mrs. Eddy has clearly indicated that the inspired Word of the Bible is a guide for students of Christian Science. We especially love the King James Version of the Bible, which is the one used by all students of Christian Science in English-speaking countries. We gain a much-needed understanding of Christ, Truth, from the study of the Bible and the Christian Science textbook. This understanding provides guidance in our personal lives, our homes, our business, and in meeting local and world problems. Through this understanding we gain renewed strength and courage, consolation in adversity, and greater hope and faith.
Mrs. Eddy wrote: "The Bible has been my only authority. I have had no other guide in 'the straight and narrow way' of Truth." (Science and Health, p. 126)
When I became interested in Christian Science, I was not a Bible student. I first attempted to read the Bible from cover to cover, and cannot say that I gained what I was seeking. After further study, through the light thrown on the Scripture by the Christian Science textbook, it became clear to me that the inspired statements of the Bible were intended for me, that my heavenly Father was using this means of addressing me, counseling, advising, and teaching me. I then began to make spiritual progress. It occurred to me that if God had written me a personal letter, a letter containing His counsel, advice, and guidance, I should not only cherish the letter, but study it diligently and persistently, and, to the best of my ability, be governed by its contents. The Bible does contain many such letters. Let us read the Bible, considering the inspired statements as direct messages from God to us. We shall do well to turn to the Bible and the Christian Science textbook as children seeking instruction. We shall then be gratified and blessed by an influx of new inspiration and spiritual understanding. We shall find ourselves enjoying a wonderful experience, and many problems that seemed tenacious will be reduced to their native nothingness.
We find in the Old Testament many prophecies of the coming of the Saviour, and in the New Testament that glorious advent, the birth of Christ Jesus, is beautifully portrayed. The entire human experience of Christ Jesus was dedicated to the well-being of all mankind everywhere. The life and teachings of the master Christian were intended as much for you and for me as they were for the disciples of his time. He clearly shows us the true and the false values in life, the true foundations, and how we may build on them. When Jesus taught the great truth that God heals the sick, he straightway proved it. Mrs. Eddy wrote, "Christ, or the spiritual idea, appeared to human consciousness as the man Jesus" (Retrospection and Introspection, p. 93). God appointed Jesus to speak His Word, and Jesus appeared to mortals so that they could both see and understand him. Jesus was a human individual. "Christ is the true idea voicing good, the divine message from God to men speaking to the human consciousness" (Science and Health. p. 332). Christ is the absolute truth about everything, and Jesus is the individual who shows us how to use this truth practically and demonstrably. Students of Christian Science are striving to obey Jesus in his twofold command to "preach the gospel" and "heal the sick," and in so doing they have met with such great success that Christian Science is recognized as an effective, efficient curative method, as well as an inspiring and satisfying religion. Earnest students of Christian Science love Christ Jesus with an abiding love; so much so, that we humbly strive to follow his instructions.
The Old Testament relates many instances of healing performed by the men of God in His name. These good men were, however, never able to instruct disciples so that they could go and do likewise. The New Testament relates innumerable healings of sickness, sin, and death as the result of Jesus' healing ministry. He so clearly imparted his understanding of Christ to his disciples that it is a matter of history that they also did marvelous healing work. Christ, Truth, was revealed in this age to Mary Baker Eddy, the God-appointed Discoverer, Founder, and Leader of Christian Science. Mrs. Eddy was a devout Bible student. The revelation of Truth came to her so clearly that she was able to heal all manner of sickness and sin, and was able to teach her students so logically and demonstrably that they were able to do convincing healing work, and were, in turn, able to teach others the Science of divine healing. We can more fully understand Christian Science when we have a correct estimate of its Discoverer and Founder. Conversely, a misunderstanding of the messenger results in misunderstanding of the message. Mrs Eddy is best known to the world at large as the Discoverer of Christian Science. However, she is not only its Discoverer, but also its Founder. We are profoundly grateful Mrs. Eddy did not stop with her discovery, but also founded this great religious movement. She not only gave the world a profound truth, but through the many channels she provided, brought it within the comprehension and practical application of men, women, and children everywhere.
In an hour of great need, when Mrs. Eddy had been seriously injured in an accident pronounced fatal by the physicians, she called for her Bible and opened it to the healing of "a man sick of the palsy" as related in the Gospel of Matthew. As she read, the healing Truth was revealed to her to such a degree that she arose, dressed herself, and ever after enjoyed better health than she had previously experienced. Thereafter Mrs. Eddy devoted much time and effort to a prayerful search of the Scriptures so that she might more fully understand Christ, Truth. She wrote: "For three years after my discovery, I sought the solution of this problem of Mind-healing, searched the Scriptures and read little else, kept aloof from society, and devoted time and energies to discovering a positive rule. The search was sweet, calm, and buoyant with hope, not selfish nor depressing. I knew the Principle of all harmonious Mind-action to be God, and that cures were produced in primitive Christian healing by holy, uplifting faith; but I must know the Science of this healing, and I won my way to absolute conclusions through divine revelation, reason, and demonstration" (Science and Health, p. 109).
Mrs. Eddy vigorously denounced personal worship. At one time she sent the following message to a group of prominent Christian Scientists, "You cannot know me in my personality, but in my books and in my writings, and in my love for you and for all mankind."
Mrs. Eddy was divinely inspired to write the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," that all mankind for all time might have a textbook of divine healing — a textbook of Christ Science or Christian Science. This textbook presents the Comforter promised by our Master, and not fully revealed in the Bible. That the Christian Science textbook contains the revealed Truth is clearly indicated by the fact that it is undoubtedly the only single textbook that meets the need of the beginner, the advancing student, as well as the most advanced student. Many cases of authenticated healing as the result of studying this textbook are a matter of record.
A young soldier in the late war was on one of the Pacific islands. He was wounded, separated from his companions, and without food. In his search for food, he came to a house burned to the ground; he groped among the ashes in the hope of finding something edible. He did not find food, but he did find a little book, scorched, but not severely damaged. This little book was "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. He put it in his blouse, not because he was interested in Christian Science, but because it would help him spend the time. He read the book not once, but many times, and Christ, Truth unfolded to him. Finally, he was rescued and returned to this country, and he gave full credit for the finding of food, the healing of his wounds, and his ultimate rescue, to the spiritual understanding gained from studying the Christian Science textbook.
Throughout the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings, we are counseled and urged to pray. "The prayer that reforms the sinner and heals the sick is an absolute faith that all things are possible to God, — a spiritual understanding of Him, an unselfed love" (Science and Health, p. 1). Profound prayer is a desire to express the nature of God, a constant endeavor to rise above apathy, selfishness, worldliness, and sin of every kind. Prayer is a constant song of gratitude to God for being God, for being unchanging Love and unending Life. Mary Baker Eddy wrote, "What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds" (ibid., p. 4), and Paul wrote: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Phil. 4:6). "Self-forgetfulness, purity, and affection are constant prayers" (Science and Health, p. 15) and it is conceivable that this is what Paul meant when he said "Pray without ceasing" (I Thess. 5:17).
One of the most inspiring prayers in the Old Testament is Solomon's prayer wherein his only request was for wisdom. As he was addressing his request to God, it is obvious that he was seeking divine wisdom, divine intelligence, God's greatest gift to man. In the New Testament, our Master gave us the Lord's Prayer, which "covers all human needs" (Science and Health, p. 16) and indicates that spiritual consciousness which we must attain in order to instantaneously heal the sick. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus' all-embracing love is well portrayed. You remember he used the word "our" in place of "my". He prayed "Our Father which art in heaven." "Give us this day our daily bread." And he used the word "us" in place of "me" when he said, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." This gives us some idea of the universal love that Jesus had for all mankind. Proof of true prayer is shown forth in a more humble, a more just, and a more generous outlook on life, as well as in deeds of unselfishness and kindness to our brother man.
A splendid example of devout, effective prayer is well portrayed in the experience of Daniel. His life was one of consecration to God. He had the wisdom and foresight to pray before difficulty befell him, as well as at the time of the difficulty. In the Bible story of Daniel, it is related that he was taken captive. One less enlightened might have been very resentful and revengeful, but Daniel's thought must have been quite the contrary. Daniel was known as a good man, a man of God, and in good favor with his king. As is frequently the case in human experience, those in high positions in the kingdom were jealous of Daniel's advancement and position; consequently they plotted against him so that they might displace and replace him. Search as they might, they could find no fault or error in him; so they said, to use their own words, "We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God" (Dan. 6:5). They called a meeting to plot against Daniel, so that their personal ambitions might be gratified. They worked out a plan that sounds strangely familiar; the plan included intrigue, propaganda, and espionage. By subtle arguments they prevailed upon the king to pass a law to the effect that anyone who should petition any god or man for thirty days, save the king, should be cast into the den of lions. They set a vicious trap for Daniel; and the king was not alert to the treachery and wickedness of mortal mind, so he became an unconscious victim to the plot and signed the decree. Daniel was cast into the lions' den, but he had long prayed three times a day to his God, and he continued to pray with full confidence and assurance, knowing that God could and would deliver him. It is inspiring to recall that Daniel was delivered from the lions' den without injury or hurt. He told the king, "My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me" (Dan. 6:22). He proved conclusively for all time that "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16).
It is well to remember Jesus' instruction to his disciples when he healed the boy whose case had not responded to their treatment. Jesus said, "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting" (Matt. 17:21). It seems evident that in this instance Jesus meant that prayer was a correct mental attitude, a turning unreservedly to God for guidance, enlightenment, instruction, and inspiration. And by fasting, it is conceivable that he meant refraining from evil thoughts: going without criticism, hatred, and condemnation; abstaining from wrong opinions, preconceived notions, material beliefs, and human convictions.
The desire to be right and do right is indeed honest prayer. However, it is hardly necessary to pray as one man did, "Lord, please make me right in the first place, because you know how stubborn I am."
The treatment of disease in Christian Science practice includes a clear realization of the truth about God and His creation, about the perfection of God and His compound idea, man. A Christian Science treatment includes the realization of the truth concerning God, man, Life, and law, and the understanding that error is without reality, power, law, or presence. The understanding of Christ, Truth, has the power of God to enforce, sustain, maintain, and perpetuate it. Recognizing the infinitude of Love and seeing man as perfect, always at one with his creator, is the fundamental practice in all Christian Science healing. God is perfect, and man in His image and likeness is perfect. A clear realization of this fundamental fact is tangibly manifested as health, infinite supply, happiness, and longevity in our here and now experience. Man, the expression of God, is honest, upright, and free. Man, the reflection of God, manifests intelligence, purity, wisdom, dominion, and holiness. Man, the likeness of God, is loving, kind, and gentle.
God, divine Mind, conceives His man, and man fulfills the purpose for which he was conceived. "Man is God's image and likeness; whatever is possible to God, is possible to man as God's reflection" (Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 183). It is well to remember that "God and man are not the same, but in the order of divine Science, God and man coexist and are eternal. God is the parent Mind, and man is God's spiritual offspring" (Science and Health, p. 336). The theology of Christian Science is absolutely essential to healing, and healing is the visible manifestation of the application of its theology. It is the work of the student of Christian Science to know the true nature of God and man so clearly that error of thought cannot stay in hiding or convincingly present itself. Christ, Truth, realized, brings long-concealed, erroneous thoughts to the surface to be destroyed. It is pointed out in the Christian Science textbook that "disease is always induced by a false sense mentally entertained, not destroyed" (p. 411).
A man who had a severe case of inflammatory rheumatism, whom the physicians had failed to relieve, turned to Christian Science for help. During the first visit the practitioner asked him if he were conscious of entertaining a false sense, or wrong thoughts. The man considered a moment and then said: "I know of nothing special, with the exception of being very much irritated about my mother-in-law. She lives in my home, and although she is a fine woman, she makes just one more mouth to feed, and I have all I can do to feed my own family. My mother-in-law has sons and daughters who are in a much better financial position than I to care for her. Every time I think of the injustice of this, I become irritated, annoyed, and angry; so much so, that I see red."
It was suggested that the man change his mental attitude, his way of thinking; that he substitute gratitude for irritation and anger. He was shown that there must be something in his home very attractive, very desirable, to cause his mother-in-law to select it in preference to the homes with greater worldly comforts. He was given a Christian Science treatment and advised to turn his thought to God, to count his many blessings and to express genuine gratitude for that "something" that was so attractive, so desirable, in his home. In two weeks' time, every vestige of inflammatory rheumatism had disappeared. He later told the practitioner that his income had been increased more than enough to take care of the expense of the additional member of his household.
If we wish to receive an abundance of good from our study of Christian Science or from a Christian Science treatment, we shall find it helpful to love our neighbor. Whenever we scorn another, we depreciate ourselves; whenever we see another as less than the image of God, we deface our vision of God; whenever we recognize another's weakness we are never quite so strong ourselves. The Bible says, "Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way" (Rom. 14:13). There is no better way of hastening the day of universal brotherhood, of seeing the healing Christ reach the waiting nations of the world, than to recognize the presence of perfection, and to bring more love for God and man into our own daily experience.
The Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science wrote: "Brethren, even as Jesus forgave, forgive thou. I say it with joy, — no person can commit an offense against me that I cannot forgive" (Message for 1902, p. 19).
A little boy owned a dog of which he was very fond. Late one afternoon the dog came home badly poisoned. The parents, earnest students of Christian Science, did all they could for the dog. They prayed diligently and earnestly, but the dog did not improve. Soon the little boy came home, and they told him of the dog's condition. The little fellow, who was a student in the Christian Science Sunday School, said, "Let me give him a treatment." He did so, and in a short time the dog had completely recovered.
The parents were delighted, but amazed, and they asked the boy, "How did you pray? What did you know?"
He answered, "Oh, I just turned to God and forgave the one who poisoned my dog." This was a very simple, yet effective treatment. We all may find relief from persistent problems by turning our thought to divine Love and really forgiving those against whom we harbor ill will or resentment.
"The vital part, the heart and soul of Christian Science, is Love" Science and Health, p. 113). If we seem to be troubled with a problem that has been persistent, let us carefully examine our thought to see if we are really loving God and all mankind, and truly forgiving all who seem to have offended or injured us.
An efficient teamster was once asked how he was so successful in getting his wagon out of the mud when it seemed securely mired. He answered, "Oh, I just add more horses."
The questioner was insistent and asked, "But when you have added more horses and it is still mired, then what do you do?"
He replied, "I just add more horses and more horses until the wagon does come out."
If we seem to be mired in a problem, let us turn to divine Love with confidence, and entertain more love for God and man. If we are then still mired, let us more persistently turn to God and add more and more love for God and man, until we do come out of the entanglement or problem.
The healing of the lame man as related in Acts (3:1-8) is most inspiring and instructive. You undoubtedly remember that it reads, "Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God."
"Peter and John went up together." May not the words "went up together" indicate an ascending state of consciousness and a definite unity of purpose? Peter and John were about to go into the temple "at the hour of prayer." They had a definite purpose, a holy mission; they were going to pray, to commune with God, and thereby receive spiritual enlightenment and inspiration. The lame man was a beggar, seeking material assistance, money, alms; that is what he asked of Peter and John. Peter immediately recognized the fact that the man did not so much need money as spiritual riches, holy, uplifting faith, the healing Christ, so he said, "Look on us," conceivably meaning: "Look and recognize our understanding of Christ, Truth. Lift your thought above the crippled body, above the belief of a mortal in want. You, as the son of God, are perfect and have an abundance of every needful thing."
This clear realization of Truth aroused an expectancy of good in the man, since it is recorded, "he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them." Peter then said, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." Peter remembered that Jesus had said, "In my name shall they cast out devils." Peter's confidence in the healing ministry of Christ was implicit; he took the man "by the right hand, and lifted him up," and it is recorded that "immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength" and the lame man was healed. This man, who for forty years had been carried about and laid daily at the temple so that he could beg, was overjoyed at his freedom, his liberation from material limitations, his healing. He did not, however, immediately depart to tell his friends or family of his new-found freedom. We read that he entered with Peter and John "into the temple, walking," and last but not least, "praising God." An earnest study of this inspiring experience teaches us many useful lessons for giving and receiving a Christian Science treatment. The fact that the lame man indicated his gratitude by immediately beginning church attendance may conceivably be an important lesson for some of us.
To do effective, convincing Christian Science healing, we must have more than mere human faith and goodness. One's faith and goodness must be based securely on genuine spiritual understanding. "God will heal the sick through man, whenever man is governed by God" (Science and Health, p. 495).
Everyone is, in some degree, interested in business. We usually think of this word as applying to only a select few, whereas in reality it applies to everyone who is busy. The word business was originally busy-ness" and was spelled b-u-s-y-n-e-s-s. The busy homemaker, the busy schoolteacher, the busy office worker, the busy farmer, the busy laborer, in fact everyone who is busy, is really in business, a business man or business woman. An honest application of a spiritual sense of business expresses God. God's business is always successful; its resources are unlimited; its organization and efficiency are perfect, and exactness characterizes its order and arrangement. God gives us a business capacity without limitation and a sympathetic knowledge that leads to success. We have an inexhaustible supply of harmonious ideas. "God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 307). We have been educated to believe that our supply comes from salary, dividends, rents, interest, or some other material source. Christian Science gives us an entirely different idea as to the source of our supply; it shows us that God, and God alone, is the source of supply. It is well to remember that divine Mind must express itself tangibly by manifesting its ideas wherever there is a need. Jesus proved this when he multiplied the loaves and fishes. To be sure, it is necessary that we keep our thought receptive, open for an influx of God's ideas.
Suppose we were in a large room with many doors. If we invited "Abundance" to pay us a visit, would we lock all the doors, with the exception of one, saying to ourselves, "Well, if 'Abundance' comes in, I shall be very grateful, but it will have to use the one door I left open"? I am confident we would make doubly sure that all the doors were open so that "Abundance" could use any door it chose, just so it paid us a good long visit. We often prevent an influx of abundance by relying on one channel of supply and closing the doors to all the others. We are blessed beyond measure by turning to God, opening our thought wide and realizing that there are innumerable channels through which God may supply us.
It is well to remember that Christian Science does not promise that we shall have all we desire or that everything we humanly outline shall be accomplished; but it does promise that if we turn unreservedly to God we shall accomplish that which is best for all concerned, and that our every need will be supplied. If our own mental attitude is right, that is, spiritualized, the law of God operates in our behalf in all our affairs. The understanding of Christ, Truth, as Christian Science presents it, makes us first worthy of infinite supply and then provides it. Knowing this, we have proved in our own experience a law already established by God, eliminating insufficiency or lack, and providing infinite supply. In God's kingdom, there is no illusion called poverty, lack, or want. There is rather an abundance of all good available to each and every one of His children. Abundance cannot lapse into lack, since God is the fountain, the source of infinite resources and plenty. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Ps. 23:1). We thank God that man is prosperous and successful and therefore we can prove that we are because there is but one kind of man — the spiritual man who reflects God's abundance.
Paul was a tentmaker, engaged in what is known as material tasks or material business designed to serve human need. We may feel that we could better serve God if we had something different to do, something less material. Let us realize, however, that it is not the task that counts, rather it is our mental attitude that measures the scope of our usefulness. It is not so much what we do, as how we do it, and the spiritual quality of our thought while we are doing it.
A young lady went to a Christian Science practitioner, seeking help, her difficulty being a nervous breakdown. She had been accustomed to a fine position and a good salary. During the last business depression she found herself out of work, and finally accepted a position as filing clerk in a Land Bank. The work was the monotonous kind of task she felt she had outgrown, and the compensation was meager. She was crushed, resentful, and at odds with the world. This "false sense mentally entertained" (Science and Health, p. 411) seemed to be the basis of her difficulty, and the practitioner pointed out to her that while filing seemed monotonous to her, nevertheless many people relied upon the accuracy of her filing for their well-being. She was filing applications for farm loans: if she filed accurately, she assisted in granting loans to worthy applicants; if she filed inaccurately, the loans might be delayed or perhaps never granted. It was suggested to the young lady that she study daily the Bible Lessons in the Christian Science Quarterly, and she was advised to return to her work, to change her mental attitude, to be grateful for her opportunity to serve mankind, and thereby serve her heavenly Father. She did so, and almost immediately the nervous tension began to disappear. In a short time she was really enjoying her work and doing it well. Within a month she was completely healed, and shortly thereafter she was advanced to a more responsible position with a substantial increase in salary. Within a year she was holding a very responsible position and being generously compensated. It is clear that the condition of our business depends upon the spiritual quality of our thought. In reality our spiritual knowing is causative, and the state of our business is the effect. Our real business at all times, in all places, and under all circumstances, is to know God aright and to be governed by His law. Joshua said, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success" (Josh. 1:8).
As we grow in grace, it is our blessed privilege to accept and utilize God's sacred promise, as recorded in the Bible, "My grace is sufficient for thee" (II Cor. 12:9). If you are struggling with a claim of discouragement, God's grace is sufficient to establish faith and courage for you. If the difficulty is sorrow, God's grace is sufficient to establish genuine comfort for you. If the problem is one of fear, God's grace is sufficient to provide complete assurance and confidence for you. If the problem is one of sin, God's grace is sufficient to provide correction, guidance, and purity for you. If you are sick, God's grace is sufficient to restore complete and perfect health to you. We shall do well to remember that growth in grace assures us of an abundance of every needful thing, and the privilege of utilizing always, in a practical, demonstrable way, God's sacred promise, "My grace is sufficient for thee."
[Delivered Nov. 15, 1946, under the auspices of Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist, Detroit, Michigan, and published in The Grosse Pointe News of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Nov. 21, 1946. The notation "(* * *)" in the first paragraph stands in the place of a portion of text inadvertently omitted from this report. The same problem exists in a copy of the lecture printed earlier in the year in another newspaper; from this we infer that the fault seems to have been with the already typeset copy provided to the newspapers by the lecturer or by the Board of Lectureship.]