Miscellaneous Writings, 1883-1896 Part 63

The Reader of the Scriptures shall name, at each reading, the book, chapter, and verses. The Reader of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" shall commence by announcing the full t.i.tle of this book, with the name of its author, and add to this announcement, [25]

"the Christian Science textbook." It is unnecessary to repeat the t.i.tle or page. This form shall also be observed at the Communion service; the selections from both the Bible and the Christian Science textbook shall be taken from the _Quarterly_, as heretofore, and this Lesson shall [30]

be such as is adapted to that service. On the first Sunday of each month, except Communion Sunday, a sermon

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shall be preached to the children, from selections taken [1]

from the Scriptures and Science and Health, especially adapted to the occasion, and read after the manner of the Sunday service. The children's service shall be held on the Sunday following Communion Day. [5]

No copies from my books are allowed to be written, and read from ma.n.u.scripts, either in private or in pub- lic a.s.semblies, except by their author.

Christian Scientists, all over the world, who are let- terly fit and specially spiritually fitted for teachers, can [10]

teach annually three cla.s.ses only. They shall teach from the Christian Science textbook. Each cla.s.s shall consist of not over thirty-three students, carefully selected, and only of such as have promising proclivities toward Christian Science. The teacher shall hold himself mor- [15]

ally obligated to look after the welfare of his students, not only through cla.s.s term, but after it; and to watch well that they prove sound in sentiment, health, and practical Christian Science.

Teaching Christian Science shall be no question of [20]

money, but of morals and of uplifting the race. Teachers shall form a.s.sociations for this purpose; and for the first few years, convene as often as once in three months.

Teachers shall not silently mentally address the thought, to handle it, nor allow their students to do thus, except [25]

the individual needing it asks for mental treatment.

They shall steadily and patiently strive to educate their students in conformity to the unerring wisdom and law of G.o.d, and shall enjoin upon them habitually to study His revealed Word, the Scriptures, and "Science and [30]

Health with Key to the Scriptures."

They shall teach their students how to defend them-

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selves against mental malpractice, but never to return [1]

evil for evil; never to attack the malpract.i.tioner, but to know the truth that makes free,-and so to be a law not unto others, but themselves.

Cla.s.s, Pulpit, Students' Students

When will you take a cla.s.s in Christian Science or [6]

speak to your church in Boston? is often asked.

I shall speak to my dear church at Boston very seldom.

The Mother Church must be self-sustained by G.o.d.

The date of a cla.s.s in Christian Science should depend [10]

on the fitness of things, the tide which flows heavenward, the hour best for the student. Until minds become less worldly-minded, and depart farther from the primitives of the race, and have profited up to their present capac- ity from the written word, they are not ready for the [15]

word spoken at this date.

My juniors can tell others what they know, and turn them slowly toward the haven. Imperative, acc.u.mula- tive, sweet demands rest on my retirement from life's bustle. What, then, of continual recapitulation of tired [20]

aphorisms and disappointed ethics; of patching breaches widened the next hour; of pounding wisdom and love into sounding bra.s.s; of warming marble and quench- ing volcanoes! Before entering the Ma.s.sachusetts Meta- physical College, had my students achieved the point [25]

whence they could have derived most benefit from their pupilage, to-day there would be on earth paragons of Christianity, patterns of humility, wisdom, and might for the world.

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To the students whom I have not seen that ask, "May [1]

I call you mother?" my heart replies, _Yes_, if you are doing G.o.d's work. When born of Truth and Love, we are all of one kindred.

The hour has struck for Christian Scientists to do their [5]

own work; to appreciate the signs of the times; to dem- onstrate self-knowledge and self-government; and to demonstrate, as this period demands, over all sin, disease, and death. The dear ones whom I would have great pleasure in instructing, know that the door to my teaching [10]

was shut when my College closed.

Again, it is not absolutely requisite for some people to be taught in a cla.s.s, for they can learn by spiritual growth and by the study of what is written. Scarcely a moiety, compared with the whole of the Scriptures and [15]

the Christian Science textbook, is yet a.s.similated spirit- ually by the most faithful seekers; yet this a.s.similation is indispensable to the progress of every Christian Scientist.

These considerations prompt my answers to the above questions. Human desire is inadequate to adjust the [20]

balance on subjects of such earnest import. These words of our Master explain this hour: "What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter."

My sympathies are deeply enlisted for the students of students; having already seen in many instances their [25]

talents, culture, and singleness of purpose to uplift the race. Such students should not pay the penalty for other people's faults; and divine Love will open the way for them. My soul abhors injustice, and loves mercy. St. John writes: "Whom G.o.d hath sent speaketh [30]

the words of G.o.d: for G.o.d giveth not the Spirit by meas- ure unto him."

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My Students And Thy Students

Mine and thine are obsolete terms in absolute Christian [2]

Science, wherein and whereby the universal brotherhood of man is stated and demands to be demonstrated. I have a large affection, not alone for my students, but for thy [5]

students,-for students of the second generation. I can- not but love some of those devoted students better than some of mine who are less lovable or Christly. This natural affection for goodness must go on _ad libitum_ unto the third and fourth and final generation of those who [10]

love G.o.d and keep His commandments. Hence the following is an amendment of the paragraph on page 47(6) of "Retrospection and Introspection":-

Any student, having received instructions in a Primary cla.s.s from me, or from a loyal student of Christian Science, [15]

and afterwards studied thoroughly "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," can enter upon the gospel work of teaching Christian Science, and so fulfil the command of Christ. Before entering this sacred field of labor, the student must have studied faithfully the latest edi- [20]

tions of my works, and be a good Bible scholar and a devout, consecrated Christian.

These are the indispensable demands on all those who become teachers.

Unseen Sin

Two points of danger beset mankind; namely, making [26]

sin seem either too large or too little: if too large, we

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are in the darkness of all the ages, wherein the true sense [1]

of the unity of good and the unreality of evil is lost.