Sunday, April 12th, 2020 Roundtable

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Morning Prayers

Beloved Brethren: — May this glad Easter morn find the members of this dear church having a pure peace, a fresh joy, a clear vision of heaven here, — heaven within us, — and an awakened sense of the risen Christ. May long lines of light span the horizon of their hope and brighten their faith with a dawn that knows no twilight and no night. May those who discourse music to-day, sing as the angels heaven’s symphonies that come to earth.

May the dear Sunday School children always be gathering Easter lilies of love with happy hearts and ripening goodness. To-day may they find some sweet scents and beautiful blossoms in their Leader’s love, which she sends to them this glad morn in the flowers and the cross from Pleasant View, smiling upon them.

— from “Easter Message, 1902” in Miscellany by Mary Baker Eddy, page 155

Discussion points

498 — WATCH that you regard God as the source of affection as well as protection. This point can well be remembered by thinking of Him as PA. See Miscellaneous Writings, 263:12. In war men turn to Him for protection who have never prayed before; but the question is, what will they do when the war is over? Unless they have established a sense of affection for Him, they are apt to forget Him, and the good effect of having been driven to trust in Him in time of trouble will be lost. The sense of His protection causes us to turn to Him in trouble, and the sense of affection for Him helps us to remember Him when we are not in trouble.

— from 500 Watching Points by Gilbert Carpenter


We love him, because he first loved us.

— 1 John 4:19 from the King James Bible


These two words in Scripture suggest the sweetest similes to be found in any language — rock and feathers: “Upon this rock I will build my church;” “He shall cover thee with His feathers.” How blessed it is to think of you as “beneath the shadow of a great rock in a weary land,” safe in His strength, building on His foundation, and covered from the devourer by divine protection and affection. Always bear in mind that His presence, power, and peace meet all human needs and reflect all bliss.

— from Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy, page 263




Golden Text — “O Lord, Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity.” — Habakkuk 1 : 12, 13




Christian Science teaches that man is derived from God as a ray of light emanates from the sun. (See Science and Health by Mary Baker Eddy, page 250)

“The sun is not affected by the revolution of the earth.” (S.& H. 310). If the earth quakes or is shrouded in black storm-clouds or the mountains fall into the sea, the sun and each of its rays remain unchangeable. The most powerful demonstration of this truth was the Resurrection. Error had thrown everything possible at Jesus to knock him off course, but it was all in vain:

“The Master’s sublime triumph over all mortal mentality was immortality’s goal. He was too wise not to be willing to test the full compass of human woe, being ‘in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.’

“Thus the absolute unreality of sin, sickness, and death was revealed, — a revelation that beams on mortal sense as the midnight sun shines over the Polar Sea.” (Unity of Good by Mary Baker Eddy, page 58)

At Easter, Christ Jesus proved that the image and likeness of God is as eternal and indestructible as God is.

“The sun, giving light and heat to the earth, is a figure of divine Life and Love, enlightening and sustaining the universe.” (S.& H. 538) This is my purpose as ray sent forth from the Sun of Righteousness in all its unspeakable power.

“SUN. The symbol of Soul governing man, — of Truth, Life, and Love.” (S.& H. 595) To the degree I understand this, I will be a blessing to everything around me and everyone upon whom my thought rests.

“The sunlight glints from the church-dome, glances into the prison-cell, glides into the sick-chamber, brightens the flower, beautifies the landscape, blesses the earth.” (S.& H. 516) This is a mighty picture of the universal blessing that you, I, and all of us are called to be. “The radiant sun of virtue and truth coexists with being. Manhood is its eternal noon, undimmed by a declining sun.” (S.& H. 246)

— Plainfield Forum post by Parthens




What are the motives for prayer? Do we pray to make ourselves better or to benefit those who hear us, to enlighten the infinite or to be heard of men? Are we benefited by praying? Yes, the desire which goes forth hungering after righteousness is blessed of our Father, and it does not return unto us void.

Deity unchangeable God is not moved by the breath of praise to do more than He has already done, nor can the infinite do less than bestow all good, since He is unchanging wisdom and Love. We can do more for ourselves by humble fervent petitions, but the All-loving does not grant them simply on the ground of lip-service, for He already knows all.

Prayer cannot change the Science of being, but it tends to bring us into harmony with it. Goodness attains the demonstration of Truth. A request that God will save us is not all that is required. The mere habit of pleading with the divine Mind, as one pleads with a human being, perpetuates the belief in God as humanly circumscribed, — an error which impedes spiritual growth.

— from Science and Health, 1910, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 2




Article — Business by Martha Wilcox




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.

— from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures
by Mary Baker Eddy, page 587




The millennium is a state and stage of mental advancement, going on since ever time was. Its impetus, accelerated by the advent of Christian Science, is marked, and will increase till all men shall know Him (divine Love) from the least to the greatest, and one God and the brotherhood of man shall be known and acknowledged throughout the earth.

— from “First Church of Christ, Scientist, Atlanta, Georgia” in Miscellany, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 239




Article — “Caution in the Truth” Miscellany, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 7




We are either acknowledging God, Mind, in all our ways, or we are consenting to, or unconsciously accepting the prevailing beliefs of the world. Then we say to ourselves, “O Lord, how long?” And the answer comes back, “Just as long as you deny My omnipresence.”

— from “No Malpractice” in Addresses by Martha Wilcox, page 252




Forum post — Faithfulness, our loyalty to God. Karen from CA




The reformer has no time to give in defense of his own life’s incentive, since no sacrifice is too great for the silent endurance of his love. What has not unselfed love achieved for the race? All that ever was accomplished, and more than history has yet recorded. The reformer works on unmentioned, save when he is abused or his work is utilized in the interest of somebody. He may labor for the establishment of a cause which is fraught with infinite blessings, — health, virtue, and heaven; but what of all that? Who should care for everybody? It is enough, say they, to care for a few. Yet the good done, and the love that foresees more to do, stimulate philanthropy and are an ever-present reward. Let one’s life answer well these questions, and it already hath a benediction: Have you renounced self? Are you faithful? Do you love?

— from Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy, page 238




Forum post — Who told thee that thou wast naked? by Jeremy from NJ




Forum post — The Former Things Are passed Away by Florence Roberts




Final Readings

Jesus gave his disciples (students) power over all manner of diseases; and the Bible was written in order that all peoples, in all ages, should have the same opportunity to become students of the Christ, Truth, and thus become God-endued with power (knowledge of divine law) and with “signs following.” Jesus declared that his teaching and practice would remain, even as it did, “for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” Then, in the name of God, wherefore vilify His prophets to-day who are fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy and verifying his last promise, “Lo, I am with you alway”? It were well for the world if there survived more of the wisdom of Nicodemus of old, who said, “No man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.”

Be patient towards persecution. Injustice has not a tithe of the power of justice. Your enemies will advertise for you. Christian Science is spreading steadily throughout the world. Persecution is the weakness of tyrants engendered by their fear, and love will cast it out. Continue steadfast in love and good works. Children of light, you are not children of darkness. Let your light shine. Keep in mind the foundations of Christian Science — one God and one Christ. Keep personality out of sight, and Christ’s “Blessed are ye” will seal your apostleship.

This glad Easter morning witnesseth a risen Saviour, a higher human sense of Life and Love, which wipes away all tears. With grave-clothes laid aside, Christ, Truth, has come forth from the tomb of the past, clad in immortality. The sepulchres give up their dead. Spirit is saying unto matter: I am not there, am not within you. Behold the place where they laid me; but human thought has risen! Mortality’s thick gloom is pierced. The stone is rolled away. Death has lost its sting, and the grave its victory. Immortal courage fills the human breast and lights the living way of Life.

— from “First Church of Christ, Scientist, Atlanta, Georgia” in Miscellany, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 190







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