Wednesday, September 15, 2010

A Note That Burgeoned

As I scribbled on diligently with what started as, if not a baby, an adolescent note I thought of Woody Allen and the instant pudding, or instant whatever it was, in "Sleeper", though I resisted the temptation to subdue it with a broom. Feel free to pass on by, welcome visitor, if you are now chary of the prospect.

Some housekeeping matters. There have been a couple of recent requests--Supporter (Southwest) and Anonymous (I think)--for some personal healings. I feel it wise at present to keep this blog as impersonal as possible and not draw what would possibly be undesirable attention to me. I also do not wish to chance that anything in this blog would be post- or pre-validated or invalidated by some perception regarding or reaction to a healing. Additionally, I need to avoid any inadvertent disclosures which could jeopardize anonymity and loose from their kennels the salivating bloodhounds. Read instead the testimonies in the Sentinels and Journals of the 30's, 40's, and 50's. Some are staggering, humbling evidence of what God and even a limited understanding of Christian Science can do. This verbiage may seem a lot like an unconvincing song and dance response, but at present I feel it best to stick to my chosen last.

The use in a comment to a previous entry of the word "demonstration" for "healing" deserves a comment of its own. By a timely coincidence I recently read a first-rate article in the June 1945 Journal by Emma Easton Newman, CSD, "To Demonstrate 'This Living Vine'". She writes: "However, some of the testifiers [at Wednesday evening meetings], not yet versed in the true and spiritual meaning of demonstration, speak of physical improvement, or an increase in salary, or the obtaining of a house, or some other human objective, as a demonstration. . . . If we ask ourselves, Am I demonstrating the 'living Vine', the Christ? we shall use the word 'demonstration' less frequently, but more accurately. It is impossible to assert the nonexistence of matter and material projects and recognize that the mortal, the material, the carnal mind is a dream, utterly unreal, and then expct to demonstrate or prove anything in this dream. We demonstrate our at-one-ment with God through claiming and utilizing the Mind of Christ." Further on she continues: "He [the student of Christian Science] needs to be shown that his necessity is to demonstrate his oneness with the Father, to demonstrate divine Principle, Life, and Love, to demonstrate life in Christ. He sometimes thinks of the healing that is the fruitage of demonstration as being the demonstration itself, whereas the higher meaning of demonstration is the fuller realization of the Christ, Truth." My trusty Student's Reference Dictionary gives, in part, this definition of demonstrate: "To show and prove to be certain; to prove beyond the possibility of doubt". This exerpt from Mrs. Newman's excellent article, which needs to be read in full, does not do it justice.

I have hemmed and hawed before on requests for poetry. For me, poetry is not motivated by a desire or need to put an arrow in a bull's eye, i.e., to make a point. It comes more from spontaneous inspiration (though that might be a self-flattering word to use) and can eat up scads of valuable time. Additionally, I think I detect that many kind readers of this blog are not irresistibly drawn to the sunlight dappled glades and dells of poesy. This isn't a "No and don't bring up the subject again", but rather to say that as time and the sputtering fires of the muse permit, we'll see.

Finally, I noticed after my last entry that I was not alone with limpets, not Georgia, on my mind.

21 comments:

Regular viewer said...

Such a fresh website you've got here. Always look forward to what you are going to say next.

Anonymous said...

Okay blogger, I won't bring up the subject of poetry again. If you're not inclined that way, so be it. Will still enjoy reading you.

Near Boston said...

Appreciate the way you keep using your blog to lift up the standard set for us by our Leader.
Keep up the good work!

L. R. said...

Don't think I've ever run across the article you bring up in the early Journal. Looks worth my going to the reading room to check out.
Thanks.

From the Southwest said...

Thanks for speaking to what I brought up earlier. I understand about giving healings of your own, lest they tip people off as to who you are. And what you've shared from the Journal articles is most interesting. I'm going to think about the word "demonstration".

Northern California said...

Such an enjoyable blog. I tell you, just don't see CS writing like this anywhere out here. Glad you've been recommended to me.

CS - Florida said...

You're right. The Newman article you quote from undoubtedly needs to be read in full. What you've given makes me want to see the entire thing, and I'll check it out as soon as I can.
Very enlightening.

Anonymous said...

How would giving a testimony on your blog give away your identity? No sure I see this. But respect your right to keep us from knowing who you are -- Mr. Mrs. or Miss?

Anon...for now said...

Well said, CS writer and thinker. What that early worker brought out in her article is right on...realizing our oneness with God which Jesus so obviously had. Truly knowing He is all in all, and that whatever is not Godlike is unreal, as Mrs. Eddy makes so clear in her writings.
Thanks,

Newport Beach (CA) said...

How important, no vital, that we find ourselves demonstrating more of Christ, Truth. Mary Baker Eddy expected this of her followers, and from what I get from the biographies I've read, and even her own statements on this topic, she yearned for her followers to be growing more in Christlikeness. Valued this more than gold.
Thanks for bringing this out in your excellent essay.

CS (UK) said...

Fresh/creative/original. Well worth my time to read. I'll be back.

Longtime reader said...

Dear Christian,
I want to say thank you again for all the help you've given me through our blog. I've been reading your posts from almost the first, and let me congratulate you on beginning your 3rd year.

Mark said...

Hi there,
Enjoyed this one, as I do just about everything you post. Good job!

Upper Midwest said...

I was interested in what you bring out, from that 1945 article, about the distinction between demonstration and healing. Can say I've never known there was a difference.
Will have to think about this...

Anonymous said...

Still, if the ministry of Christ Jesus had not reaped physical healings, would we even know of him today? The healings were the confirmations and proof that he was prayerfully communing not with just a theory but with the one true God, real and all-powerful, filling all space.

CS - New Hampshire said...

Of course, we were given proof of Jesus' ministry, through his marvelous works. But the words alone of God's Highest would be enough for Christ's influence in the world to endure. Did Jesus not say that his words would never pass away?! And what does Mrs. Eddy say about this?

follower of Christ said...

"Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away."
Jesus
(Mark 13:31)

Anonymous said...

((Did Jesus not say that his words would never pass away?! And what does Mrs. Eddy say about this?))

something along the lines that the C.S. movement was founded on healing, and that more of better and quicker healings were necessary?

Anonymous said...

anybody can spout the words ... not so many can heal

"whether it is easier to say, thy sins be forgiven, or rise, stand up, and walk"

New viewer said...

I'm really enjoying your blog, and I hope you keep turning out these engaging essays.

Nancy LowlyWise said...

Interesting that you should mention "Sleeper." I thought of it at S&H citation #26 in this week's lesson. Hot fudge sundaes, anyone?