In The Unfolding Idea, Mr. Young explains how healing is not the overcoming of mesmeric beliefs, but a thinning out of the mist of mortal mind so that the ever present truth can unfold more clearly. This is the process wherein ultimately we realize such a spiritual state of mind that we know no evil, matter, or mortality. This concept developed in a clear and concise way opens up new insights into how Christian Science brings about healing and regeneration. He writes: “Divine Mind unfolds itself as our understanding of its infinite ideas appearing progressively as improved beliefs or concepts, which we call healing or demonstrations; but the improved belief or concept — the better “sense” world — is not the demonstration. The demonstration is Mind’s proof of its presence in our understanding of its ideas, and thus the disappearance of mortal mind with its disease.”

1952 Topics:
HUMAN AND DIVINE COINCIDENCE
and
SPIRITUAL SONSHIP

1953 Topics:
SHEPHERDING OUR THOUGHTS
and
AS A MAN THINKETH

from HUMAN AND DIVINE COINCIDENCE:
“Man is spiritual, immortal consciousness, the divine idea of God. No evil is present in real being. Man is unlimited in intelligence and ability. He reflects the wisdom and understanding of eternal Mind, and the range of his thought is infinite.

From the beginning of time, that is as far back as human history records, men and women have reached out mentally to grasp these facts. They have striven, often falteringly, to enlarge their perception and understanding of man and the universe. They have sought to utilize existing potentialities coming within range of their comprehension and so to better their conditions.

Without knowing it or analyzing it, they have been reaching out for the truth of their own being, ‒ the Christ, the divine idea of God, ‒ that they might apply it to the human. This effort of the human race to rise above the physical, cultural, and spiritual levels on which they have progressively found themselves, has led on the ages.”

from SPIRITUAL SONSHIP:
“Jesus knew and demonstrated the love with which divine Principle embraces and blesses humanity. He said, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) No more precious gift could the Father bestow upon mankind than a knowledge of His only begotten Son, for this Son is the true selfhood of everyone, embodying and making manifest to human consciousness the permanency, perfection, beauty, and holiness of man as he really is. This son, conscious of the Father’s goodness, brings the assurance of Immanuel, God’s power and presence with us now, and is our Messiah, our Saviour from all human woes.

Spiritual sonship is complete. It is compound idea, in which no quality of God is missing. Spiritual sonship is, in reality, the only sonship. There is not two of any of us. We do not have a material and a spiritual selfhood which war against each other. We have only one selfhood, and that divine sonship. ”

Association Address – 1953
SHEPHERDING OUR THOUGHTS
and
AS A MAN THINKETH

from SHEPHERDING OUR THOUGHTS:
“Faith in a power invisible to and higher than material sense – a good power guiding and directing human affairs – has brought comfort and courage to many people, and has often been symbolized in the idea of the good shepherd. The ancient Hebrews, tenders of flocks and herds, frequently used the illustrations of the shepherd in their writings. Jesus used it, and in this present day our Leader has brought the thought of the good shepherd very close to each heart, revealing it as the Christliness present in every human consciousness, ready and able to guide into unlimited good all those who follow its wise and pure leading.”

from AS A MAN THINKETH:
“Our Leader writes (S&H pref. vii:13), “The time for thinkers has come.” This call is not a call to mere intellectualism. It is a call to spiritual awakening, because spiritual thinking is the only thinking which, in the final analysis, stands as real thought.

The Christian Science church is a thinking organization, and the degree of excellence of the thinking therein determines the effectiveness of the Movement in its healing and saving capacity. The ministry of Christian Science is a thinking ministry. Healing in Christian Science is a spiritually mental process.

Christian Science mentalizes everything. It rises above physics into metaphysics. It lifts thought into a spiritual perspective which discerns the erroneously mental nature of evil, and perceives the divinely mental nature of good. It uncovers matter as a mortal, mental concept without substance, and declares real substance to consist of divine ideas emanating from divine Mind.”

1961 Address:
Spirit vs. Matter
Communism
The Five Phases of Prayer

1962 Address:
The Beatitudes
Infinitesimals
Our Youth Program

1963 Address:
The Depths of Being
The Lord’s Prayer

In his 1961  address under “The Five Phases of Prayer”, Mr. Rieke says:

“When we pray the prayer of petition we need to rejoice that God, the all-hearing Mind, hears our prayer, and He answers our prayer from His storehouse of spiritual abundance. Our Master said: “Believe that ye receive what ye ask for in prayer.” When petitioning God, we must make sure we do not do too much talking. That’s not polite. We must silently listen for God’s answer, with absolute confidence that the right answer is always there. It is often well to begin our prayer with a sincere expression of the desires of our hearts.”

In his 1962 address under “Infinitesimals”, Mr. Rieke says:

“Because we are thinking rightly about the infinitesimals, the atoms, the molecules, the thought of the world is beginning to change and to see the truth about the basic reality of all phenomena. This year I had the opportunity to read three papers written by Donald Hatch Andrews, professor of chemistry at John Hopkins University. I would like to share a few of his observations. He says, ‘Today there is a new element of hope with us, because this same science which has given us atomic power, has also given us atomic vision. Through the microscope, the spectroscope, and the telescope, we are getting an entirely new view of the basic realities of which both the universe and we ourselves are made. And we are making the startling discovery that, in a word, the basic reality of our universe is not matter but music.'”

In his 1963 address under “The Depths of Being”, Mr. Rieke says:

Do you go over your lesson every day? Someone once said, “Yes, she goes right over her lesson like an airplane flying high over the earth.”

Do you go through your lesson every day? The comment was made, “Yes, he goes through it — like a lead bullet.” I would rather have you read just one section a day and dig deep — be a thorough researcher — than to have you scratch the surface six times a week.

The poet Pope once wrote, “Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.” Don’t be a shallow Christian Scientist; be thorough in your study and application. In our whole movement there is a great need for thoroughness, research in depth.

By giving us the seven synonymous terms for God, Life, Truth, Love, Spirit, Soul, Principle and Mind, our Leader has truly defined the depths of the Supreme Being, the profundity of existence. Let us consider each of these synonymous terms this morning, and dig a little deeper to find the true God.

Association Address – 1948
• SPIRITUAL FREEDOM
• HOME

from “SPIRITUAL FREEDOM”
“No one is ever bound so long as he does not permit his thinking to be bound. Your thinking is your own. No person, circumstance, or condition can reach it, change it, interrupt, or stop it without your consent. Spiritual independence is lost or won in your own thought. If you forget the Christ in an acceptance of evil as real and powerful, you will come under the decree which mortal mind has outlined for you. If you enthrone the Christ and keep it there you will sing the songs of praise at midnight which will release yourself and others.”

“Obedience to divine law is the basic element of freedom. Self-control which acknowledges and accepts Spirit’s control is indwelling freedom. Thought which humbly prays, “Thy will be done,” enters the path of spiritual freedom. God’s will for man is freedom – not bondage. It is for limitless unfoldment, activity, achievement, supply, and success.”

from “HOME”
In Science and Health (58:21-23), Mrs. Eddy writes, “Home is the dearest spot on earth, and it should be the center, though not the boundary, of the affections.” A place of abode wherein the individual members manifest a loving understanding of and pure affection for each other, wherein there is the willingness to yield to each member the right to be self-governed by being God-governed, and where industry, morality, loyalty, and co-operation are the rules of life – such a place is true home.”

“Any home, to be successful, must embody the fullness of the qualities which establish, maintain, and radiate the dearness, stability, and spiritual strength of Christian unity. Every home, whether its members are one or more, may have within its portals the spiritual understanding of completeness.”

Association Address – 1949
• SPIRITUAL SELF GOVERNMENT
• SONS and DAUGHTERS

from “SPIRITUAL SELF GOVERNMENT”
“Every individual strives to govern his own affairs, and every nation seeks to be in control of its destiny. And rightly so, because it is the inherent right of man to manifest perfect self-government. To achieve this self-control, nations and individuals must learn to think spiritually. They must learn that righteous control of the individual, the nation, and the world, is not be to found in self-will, politics, or human inventions, but in obedience to God and His Christ.”

from “SONS and DAUGHTERS”
“Man is compound, including every right idea, every masculine and every feminine quality. He is “the full representation of Mind” (S&H 591:6). In God’s man are found the masculine creative qualities embodying intelligence and truth; together with the feminine qualities of life and love of which our Leader speaks when she says, “The ideal man corresponds to creation, to intelligence, and to Truth. The ideal woman corresponds to Life and to Love. In divine Science, we have not as much authority for considering God masculine, as we have for considering Him feminine, for Love imparts the clearest idea of Deity” (S&H 517:8).

Association Address – 1950
• THE TWO RIVERS
• MATTER A MYTH

from “THE TWO RIVERS”
“Two great rivers are described in the Bible. First, the river of four parts which went out of Eden to water the garden, spoken of in Genesis, and second, the “pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Rev. 22:1), envisioned by St. John in his book of Revelation.
The first river typifies Truth, the Christ-idea, reaching human consciousness, elevating, purifying, and enlarging its concept of good. In the degree that channels are provided for its healing currents, spiritual truth gains ascendancy over evil, and reformation, regeneration and rehabilitation follow. The second river, the “pure river of water of life, clear as crystal,” typifies the activity of divine ideas, expressing divine Science in spiritual consciousness which cognizes nothing but God and His spiritual manifestation.”

from “MATTER A MYTH”
“The physicist, despite his concession that matter is insubstantial, is still trying to explain it as material substance. Our Leader is way out beyond and in advance of all so-called physical scientists in her insight into and explanation of so-called material cause and effect. A few years back the leading physicist of the age discovered the fourth dimension of matter as time. In her definition of time in the Glossary of our textbook, written years before the physicist’s discovery, Mrs. Eddy included the word, matter (S&H 519:19). A search is now being made for a fifth dimension of matter, and it is thought that gravitation may be the element involved. Christian Science declares that gravitation, as a so-called law of matter, is the phenomenon of mortal mind, and that matter and mortal mind are one. Material gravitation is animal magnetism, the belief of the attraction of matter for matter, — or mortal mind attracting mortal mind. A physicist could not discern this because he does not start with divine Mind as the cause of all that really exists, nor does he pierce the subtleties of mortal mind with its claim of opposition to Truth. Real gravitation is “man’s spiritual gravitation and attraction to one Father, in whom we ‘live, and move, and have our being’” (S&H 536:11). Only a scientific understanding of Truth, as Mrs. Eddy teaches it, can reveal these metaphysical facts, to which all must sooner or later come.”

1958 Address:
Omniscience of God
Omnipresence of God

1959 Address:
The Word Was Made Flesh
The Allness of Spirit
Our Supply Part 1
Our Supply Part 2

1960 Address:
Heredity
Environment
Prayer
Spiritual Lessons Learned from Bible Stories
Government

In his 1958  address under “Omiscience of God”, Mr. Rieke says:

“There are four simple approaches in the practice of Christian Science. They are the omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, and omni-action of God. As we realize the omnipotence of good we see that evil has no power. As we recognize the omnipresence of good we see that evil has no presence. By understanding the omni-activity of good we see that evil cannot act, function, or operate. Through the clear discernment of the omniscience of good we recognize that there is no knowledge of evil. Today I would like to discuss with you the omniscience of God or good, and the application of this great truth to the solution of human problems.”

“In your practice of Christian Science be careful as to what you are thinking when you say that God heals sickness. If you mean that the divine Mind is constantly revealing the perfection of being, and thus demonstrating that there is no sickness, you are scientifically correct. But if there is a lingering thought that God is somehow doing something to sickness, even to the extent of destroying it, you are on the wrong track. As far as God is concerned disease is not even something to be destroyed, for the Mind of God is all good.”

In his 1959 address under “The Word Was Made Flesh”, Mr. Rieke says:

“Now this is a very important subject about which we must be clear. For if we think of the identity or individuality of our Master and Wayshower as being born into matter, then we find that we are thinking that we too are born into matter or material flesh. And then of course we find ourselves subject to material laws, rules, and regulations. But if we accept the eternal truth that our Wayshower was never born into material flesh, but rather that the Word, the perfect idea of infinite good, was made outwardly manifest in the life of our beloved Master, then you will find it easier for you to think of yourself not as a material creature, but as the substantial outward manifestation of infinite good.”

In his 1960 address under “Heredity and Environment”, Mr. Rieke says:

“For centuries there has been a lively discussion as to the part that heredity and environment play in determining the nature and condition of an individual. Children often resemble their parents — not only in appearance, but in their emotions — even in the way they talk. There is a persistent argument that our natures are determined by human heredity. Most people accept these suggestions, consciously or unconsciously, without much protest. They think, like father like son. It is believed that human characteristics are perpetuated through the kind of material cells that have been incorporated in the body by a human father and mother.

Most people also believe that environment plays an important part in determining the nature and experience of an individual. If you are reared in a congenial, cultured atmosphere, you are supposed to grow up with a good disposition — polite and cultured. If you have been reared in a broken home, or one in which there was much conflict and misunderstanding, then you are liable to be emotionally disturbed. If there is much bigotry and prejudice in your community, you might be inclined to be prejudiced. The self-will and discord manifested in your office is liable to have an effect on you.

Heredity and environment — what does Christian Science teach about these? Do they have an effect upon us? How do we handle the belief of the effects of a false sense of heredity and environment? These are important questions. Christ Jesus in the Lord’s Prayer gave us the answer. In the first line we read, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.” This statement corrects all false beliefs in regard to heredity. If we all have one and the same heavenly Father-Mother God, then in the words of Paul, we have an “inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away . . .” (I Pet. 1:4)

Association Address – 1946
• TRUE SELFHOOD
• THE PEARL of GREAT PRICE

When you learn to think beyond matter and in terms of metaphysics, you will see that disease and discord are not included in this mode of reasoning. Sickness can be conceived of only when thought is bound by physical sense. Sin is inherent in the belief in corporeality and can seem to be experienced only in connection therewith. Lack and limitation have their origin in the belief in matter, and to seem to come under them one must think in terms of matter. Discord, dullness, drabness, lack of love, lack of vivacity, or of joy, all require thought to turn away from the marvelous glories of the divine Mind, which can be perceived only through metaphysics or thinking that goes beyond matter into Spirit. It is plain then, that in order to see our true selfhood and demonstrate it, we must hold thought above and beyond matter. We must let it soar into the divine Mind, claim its oneness with that Mind, and acknowledge our own inclusion in the infinite perfection of God as natural and normal.

What was the one lost piece of silver for which the woman of our time, our dear Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, so diligently searched? Was it not the lost element of healing, so long vanished from Christianity? Was it not the spiritual interpretation of the Lord’s prayer, which instantaneously heals the sick, the spiritual meaning of the Beatitudes and of the Commandments, and the spiritual understanding of the Scriptures as a whole? The world was not lacking in the letter of the Bible. Probably every Christian household owned a Bible – its words were before the people, but the practical meaning and availability of its teaching to a sick and sinful world had for years grown dimmer and dimmer.

Our Leader, in her own great need, and in her love for mankind, had long sought the way to spiritual healing of disease. You are all familiar with the healing which came to her through spiritual means only, and which set her forth upon her great life work “To,” in her own words, “organize a church designed to commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing.” (Man. 17:10)

Association Address – 1947
• SALVATION
• SPIRITUAL PRODUCTIVITY

Since Christ is not God but is the divine manifestation of God, and since God and man constitute the whole of creation, the Christ must be found in man. The Christ is true selfhood, God expressing Himself – and this must necessarily save from a false sense of selfhood, or from the belief in incarnate error.

Our leader further says, “The Christ is incorporeal, spiritual, ‒ yea, the divine image and likeness, dispelling the illusions of the senses.” (S&H 332:11) She also says, “The Christ was Jesus’ spiritual selfhood.” (’01, 8:24) The divine image and likeness, the incorporeal, spiritual idea expressing the power of God, and dispelling the illusions of the senses, is the true selfhood of all God’s children, and is our saviour from materialism. It was because Jesus let the incorporeal, spiritual Christ have ascendancy in consciousness that he could be the Saviour of the world. As a human he understood the needs of humanity. As the exemplar and demonstrator of the Christ he expressed the God-idea which heals and blesses.

Salvation in Humor
Among the qualities which might be termed transitional or humanly good, but which in its higher sense is found in the wholeness, completeness, and infinite variety of divine Mind, and awaiting expression through you, is true humor, with its happy merriment. True humor is included in Love’s spontaneity and expresses itself in man in innocent gaiety and blitheness. Like other spiritual qualities, it is a component part of man’s true selfhood, ever ready to be expressed. True humor is gentle, never caustic; inspirational, never forced. It is healing and uplifting, leaving behind it a sweet sense of refreshment. It relieves tension and breaks the spell of fear. It dissipates the stiffness and false reserve of mortal mind and establishes friendliness at the outset. Before it self-importance topples, and a false sense of responsibility loses its weight.

Divine Mind is the great and only real producer. It produces spiritual ideas and these ideas constitute creation, or real production. They reflect the intelligence of the creating, governing Principle of the universe. Since there is no end to creation – no end to the multiplication of divine ideas – there is no end to the productivity of divine Mind. The output of divine Mind is not subject to discord or decay, change or dissolution. It is not stored up in material warehouses, but is held, incorruptible and safe, in the inviolable realism of Spirit. The substance of Mind is laid up in the holy consciousness of good, “where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” (Matt. 6:20)

The unfoldment to consciousness of the divine Mind as the only producer is the seed within itself which is constantly productive of new unfoldments – new ideas.

The first book of Vicki Jones Cole’s trilogy on the “first lessons” taught to Christian Science Sunday School students focuses on the foundational teachings of the Ten Commandments. There are over 100 daily lessons suitable for a wide range of ages, with two very simple lessons on each Commandment aimed at very young children.

Here’s an example of a two-part lesson for very young children (this does not reflect the format or font used in the actual book):

The Third Commandment:
“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain”

means that we should not use God’s name as if it had magical powers, for good or bad, just by being spoken. For instance, it is wrong to call out the name of God if you are angry at something or someone. That is called “swearing” or “cursing,” and it not only dishonors God, it is also unloving and impolite to others. We do not use God’s name lightly or jokingly. We do not speak certain favorite words about Him over and over again, thinking that just saying the words will help us or heal us. Our goal is to have what we think, what we feel, what we say, and what we do, all flow from the same truth.

The Third Commandment:
“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain”

helps us to grow in our usefulness to God and to mankind. Why? Because we would only speak of God when we are ready to speak from our heart. Our words would come from the truth we really know and use, and would bring joy and healing to all who hear us. Our lives would be like trees that give good fruit, providing nourishment to all who welcome what we have to offer.

Here is an example of a Third Commandment question-and-answer for older children:

Question: What does taking God’s name “in vain” mean?

Answer: Vain describes something that is worthless, empty, hollow, unsuccessful. If we do something “in vain,” our actions would be a waste of effort.

If we find ourselves speaking God’s name in a way that is disrespectful to God, such as when someone curses or swears, we are using His name “in vain.” If we try to use God’s name, or words about Him, to cover up evil or impure thoughts in our heart, we are taking His name “in vain.” If we promise to do something in “God’s name,” and then we break that promise, we are taking His name “in vain.” In order to be obedient to this commandment, we should habitually express God-like qualities, such as honesty and trustworthiness, before we speak or preach to others about God.

“Simply asking that we may love God will never make us love Him; but the longing to be better and holier, expressed in daily watchfulness and in striving to assimilate more of the divine character, will mould and fashion us anew, until we awake in His likeness. We reach the Science of Christianity through demonstration of the divine nature; but in this wicked world goodness will ‘be evil spoken of,’ and patience must bring experience.” (S&H 4)

Practice: “Demonstration of the divine nature” means to use in your daily life the spiritual qualities and ideas that God gives you. We don’t just sit around and think about them — we do them! Today, practice expressing the quality of joy. See if you can get others to smile!

Each commandment has similar introductory material, and follows with a variety of other questions suitable for various ages. For example, here are the rest of the Questions relating to the Third Commandment:

What can we do to make God’s name special?
What is wrong with just saying prayers? After all, we say the Lord’s Prayer out loud at church services.
How did Jesus teach the Third Commandment?
How can we get rid of hypocrisy in our prayers, so that they will be worthwhile and not in vain?

How can we improve our obedience to the Third Commandment?
Is it wrong to take an oath, or swear something, in God’s name?
Would obeying the Third Commandment help you to heal?