Truth. Section 1 The Bible. Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy commandments are truth. Golden Text Psalms 119: Jeremiah 10:10 the (to :)

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1 Section 1 Golden Text Psalms 119:151 Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy commandments are truth. Responsive Reading Deuteronomy 32:3 ascribe, 4 Psalms 33:4 the word, 9 11; 26: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. 4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. 9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. 10 The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. 11 The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. 1 Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide. 2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. 3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. 1 Jeremiah 10:10 the (to :) 10 the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: 2 Jeremiah 29:13, 14 (to :) 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: 3 Psalms 86:10, 11 I will, 15 thou 10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. 11 I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. 15 thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. 4 Psalms 42:2 (to :), 11 hope 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: 11 hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. 5 Psalms 9:9, 10 9 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. 10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee The Christian Science Publishing Society. All rights reserved. This copy of a Weekly Bible Lesson from the Christian Science Quarterly is licensed for your own personal use and may not be distributed electronically or in print, except as described in the Copyright Terms and Conditions at. Christian Science Quarterly is a trademark owned by The Christian Science Publishing Society. Study references are from the Bible (King James Version) and the Christian Science textbook, with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

2 1 254:10 12 Section 1 When we wait patiently on God and seek righteously, He directs 12 our path :23 24 One s aim, a point beyond faith, should be to find the 24 footsteps of, the way to health and holiness :32 It is essential to understand, instead of believe, what 1 relates most nearly to the happiness of being. To seek through belief in a human doctrine is not to un- 3 derstand the infinite. We must not seek the immutable and immortal through the finite, mutable, and mortal, and so depend upon belief instead of demonstration, for 6 this is fatal to a knowledge of Science. The understanding of gives full faith in, and spiritual understanding is better than all burnt offerings :23 The The author subscribed to an orthodox 24 creed in early youth, and tried to adhere to it until she caught the first gleam of that which inter- The test of experience prets God as above mortal sense. This 27 view rebuked human beliefs, and gave the spiritual import, expressed through Science, of all that proceeds from the divine Mind. Since then her highest creed has 30 been divine Science, which, reduced to human apprehension, she has named Christian Science. This Science 1 teaches man that God is the only Life, and that this Life is and Love; that God is to be understood, adored, 3 and demonstrated; that divine casts out suppositional error and heals the sick. 5 x:22 23 The divine Principle of healing is proved in the personal experience of any sincere seeker of. 6 Psalms 25:4, 5 (to :) Section 2 4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: 7 Psalms 91:1, 11 1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 8 Daniel 9:9, 10, 19 (to 3 rd ;), 21, 22 9 To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him; 10 Neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; 2013 The Christian Science Publishing Society. All rights reserved. 2

3 21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. 22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. 9 Daniel 10:18, 19 (to 1 st.), 21 I will 18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, 19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. 21 I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince. 10 Isaiah 30:21 21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left :27 27 is a revelation. Section 2 30 desire to know and do the will of God, will bring us into all. Such a desire has little need of audible expression. It is best expressed in thought and in life :22 30 Spiritual ideas lead up to their divine origin, God, and to the spiritual sense 24 of being. Angels are not etherealized human beings, evolving animal qualities in their wings; but they are celestial 27 visitants, flying on spiritual, not material, pinions. Angels are pure thoughts from God, Thoughtangels winged with and Love, no matter what their indi- 30 vidualism may be :29 7 The Old Testament assigns to the angels, God s divine 30 messages, different offices. Michael s characteristic is spiritual strength. He leads the Angelic offices hosts of heaven against the power of sin, Satan, and 1 fights the holy wars. Gabriel has the more quiet task of imparting a sense of the ever-presence of ministering 3 Love. These angels deliver us from the depths. and Love come nearer in the hour of woe, when strong faith or spiritual strength wrestles and prevails through 6 the understanding of God. The Gabriel of His presence has no contests. 7 11:27 27 Prayer cannot change the unalterable, nor can prayer alone give us an understanding of ; but prayer, coupled with a fervent habitual 2013 The Christian Science Publishing Society. All rights reserved. 3

4 11 John 1:17 grace Section 3 17 grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 12 Luke 18: And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 13 Philippians 4:8 brethren 8 brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Section :16 17 Goodness attains the demonstration of. 11 8:1 2, 10 18, A wordy prayer may afford a quiet sense of selfjustification, though it makes the sinner a hypocrite. If a man, though apparently fervent and prayerful, is impure and therefore insincere, what must be the 12 comment upon him? If he reached the Aspiration and love loftiness of his prayer, there would be no occasion for comment. If we feel the aspiration, hu- 15 mility, gratitude, and love which our words express, this God accepts; and it is wise not to try to deceive ourselves or others, for there is nothing covered that 18 shall not be revealed. We should examine ourselves and learn what is the affection and purpose of the heart, for in this way 30 only can we learn what we honestly are. 12 3:32 5 While the heart is far from 1 divine and Love, we cannot conceal the ingratitude of barren lives. 3 What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds The Christian Science Publishing Society. All rights reserved. 4

5 13 453:16 17 Honesty is spiritual power. Dishonesty is human weakness, which forfeits divine help. Knowledge and honesty 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him :4 Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these 6 into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts. 14 James 2:14 (to 1 st?) Section 4 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? 15 Matthew 9:35 Jesus 35 Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 16 John 10:23 25, 37, And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon s porch. 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father s name, they bear witness of me. 37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 17 John 14:12 (to 1 st ;) 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; Section :17 18 The progress of truth confirms its claims, and our 18 Master confirmed his words by his works :23 The high- 24 est earthly representative of God, speaking of human ability to reflect divine power, prophetically said to his disciples, speaking not for their day only but for all time: 27 He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and These signs shall follow them that believe :1 2 1 Believing. Firmness and constancy; not a faltering nor a blind faith, but the perception of spiritual :10 It is neither Science nor which acts through blind belief, nor is it the human under- 12 standing of the divine healing Principle as manifested 2013 The Christian Science Publishing Society. All rights reserved. 5

6 in Jesus, whose humble prayers were deep and conscientious protests of, of man s likeness to 15 God and of man s unity with and Love :21 21 It has been said, and truly, that Christianity must be Science, and Science must be Christianity, else one or the other is false and useless; but neither is unim- 24 portant or untrue, and they are alike in demonstration. This proves the one to be identical The unity of Science and Christianity with the other. Christianity as Jesus taught it was not 27 a creed, nor a system of ceremonies, nor a special gift from a ritualistic Jehovah; but it was the demonstration of divine Love casting out error and healing the sick, 30 not merely in the name of Christ, or, but in demonstration of, as must be the case in the cycles of divine light. 18 John 8:32 Section 5 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 19 Acts 3:1 9 1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2 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; 3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. 4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. 6 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. 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God: 20 viii:12 15 Section 5 12 The question, What is, is answered by demonstration, by healing both disease and sin; and this demonstration shows that Christian healing con- 15 fers the most health and makes the best men :13 Christian Science is neither made up of contradictory aphorisms nor of the inventions of those who scoff 15 at God. It presents the calm and clear verdict of against error, uttered and illustrated by the prophets, by Jesus, by his apostles, as is recorded throughout the 18 Scriptures The Christian Science Publishing Society. All rights reserved. 6

7 22 162:4 9 Christian Science brings to the body the sunlight of, which invigorates and purifies. Christian Science 6 acts as an alterative, neutralizing error with. It changes the secretions, expels humors, dissolves tumors, relaxes rigid muscles, restores 9 carious bones to soundness :26 3 If thought is startled at the strong claim of Science 27 for the supremacy of God, or, and doubts the supremacy of good, ought we not, contrari- an alterative All evil unnatural wise, to be astounded at the vigorous claims 30 of evil and doubt them, and no longer think it natural to love sin and unnatural to forsake it, no longer imagine evil to be ever-present and good absent? should 1 not seem so surprising and unnatural as error, and error should not seem so real as truth. Sickness should not seem 3 so real as health :31 1 is God s remedy for error of every kind, and destroys only what is untrue. Hence the fact that, to-day, 3 as yesterday, Christ casts out evils and heals the sick. Section 6 20 Acts 5:12 (to ;), 15 21, 25, 27, 28 (to?), 29, 34, 35, 38 Refrain, 39, And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; 15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. 16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. 17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, 18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. 19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, 20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. 21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? 2013 The Christian Science Publishing Society. All rights reserved. 7

8 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; 35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. 38 Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Section :22 23 When the spiritual sense of unfolds its harmonies, you take no risks in the policy of error :22, 29 It requires courage to utter truth; for the higher 24 lifts her voice, the louder will error scream, until its inarticulate sound is forever silenced in oblivion. Christianity is again demonstrating the Life that is 30, and the that is Life, by the apostolic work of casting out error and healing the sick. Earth has no repayment for the persecutions which Christianity still rejected 1 attend a new step in Christianity; but the spiritual recompense of the persecuted is assured in the elevation of ex- 3 istence above mortal discord and in the gift of divine Love :17 9 A Christian Scientist occupies the place at this period 18 of which Jesus spoke to his disciples, when he said: Ye are the salt of the earth. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill can- The salt of the earth 21 not be hid. Let us watch, work, and pray that this salt lose not its saltness, and that this light be not hid, but radiate and glow into noontide glory. 24 The infinite of the Christ-cure has come to this age through a still, small voice, through silent utterances and divine anointing which quicken and increase 27 the beneficial effects of Christianity. I long to see the consummation of my hope, namely, the student s higher attainments in this line of light. 30 Because is infinite, error should be known as nothing. Because is omnipotent in goodness, error, s opposite, has no might. Evil is but the 1 counterpoise of nothingness. The greatest wrong is but a supposititious opposite of the highest right. The 3 confidence inspired by Science lies in the fact that is real and error is unreal. Error Real and counterfeit is a coward before. Divine Science insists that 6 time will prove all this. Both truth and error have come nearer than ever before to the apprehension of mortals, and truth will become still clearer as error is self- 9 destroyed The Christian Science Publishing Society. All rights reserved. 8

9 21 I John 2:21 Section 7 21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 22 II John 1:1 4 1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; 2 For the truth s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. 3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father :9 9 and Love enlighten the understanding, in whose light shall we see light; and this illumination is reflected spiritually by all who walk in the light and turn 12 away from a false material sense :3 3 makes man free. 23 Psalms 119:30 (to :), 45 (to :) : I have chosen the way of truth: 45 And I will walk at liberty: Section 7 27 We walk in the footsteps of and Love by following the example of our Master in the understanding of divine metaphysics The Christian Science Publishing Society. All rights reserved. 9