Bible Study from December 11th, 2021

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Bible Study Questions and Readings

Clara Barton and Christian Science

Clara Barton’s father was a member of the Oxford Universalist Church in Massachusetts which was founded in 1777. Barton had a great love for her father’s church but never joined it or any other church. The pastor at her father’s church became a Christian Scientist. She talked with him about Christian Science, and she had treatments from him. She would write him sometimes asking for “good thoughts.” In 1906, she attended the Mother Church annual meeting. Afterwards, Barton read some Christian Science literature and later read through the Science and Health textbook. In an interview in 1908, she acknowledged that she was not a Christian Scientist but was comforted from reading Science and Health. She said, “I say no one familiar with [Mary Baker Eddy’s] life and her teachings can help but see the marvelous consistency and beauty of what she has given to the world in Christian Science.”

— Clara Barton quote from the Boston American, January 6, 1908,
by Viola Rodgers.

Topic: Strength

Moderator: Thomas from NY

Bible Readings: Exodus 17: 8-16

King James Bible: Bible.PlainfieldCS.com

Questions:

  1. What does “strength” mean? Please review the following:
    1. Webster’s definition for “strength”: Firmness; solidity or toughness; the quality of bodies by which they sustain the application of force without breaking or yielding. Thus we speak of the strength of a bone, the strength of a beam, the strength of a wall, the strength of a rope. In this sense, strength is a passive quality, and is opposed to weakness or frangibility. Power or vigor of any kind.
    2. Strong’s Concordance: “Chayil,” #2428, (II Samuel 22:33 – “God is my strength and power”)
    3. Strong’s Concordance: “Maoz,” #4581, (Psalm 27:1 – “The Lord is the strength of my life”)
  2. How does the following statement help understand the fight between the Amalekites and the Israelites? “We have strength in proportion to our apprehension of the truth.”(Science and Health, p. 80) (Also see Esther 3:8-13 – an Amalekite sought the destruction of the Jews)
  3. What can be learned from the examples of people like Moses, Joshua, and Caleb?
    1. Moses: “Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.” (Deuteronomy 34:7); Anakim (in their old age, Joshua & Caleb fought them) “A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and of whom thou hast heard say, Who can stand before the children of Anak!”(Deuteronomy 9:2)
    2. Joshua: “Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.” (Joshua 11:18); “There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle.” (Joshua 11:19); “And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities.” (Joshua 11:21)
    3. Caleb: “And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.” (Joshua 14:10); “As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.” (Joshua 14:11); “And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak” (Judges 15:14)



Notes from the Discussion




I may be compelled to face danger, but never fear it and while our soldiers can stand and fight, I can stand and feed them.

— Clara Barton




Miss Clara Barton

In the New York American, January 6, 1908, Miss Clara Barton dipped her pen in my heart, and traced its emotions, motives, and object. Then, lifting the curtains of mortal mind, she depicted its rooms, guests, standing and seating capacity, and thereafter gave her discovery to the press. Now if Miss Barton were not a venerable soldier, patriot, philanthropist, moralist, and states woman, I should shrink from such salient praise. But in consideration of all that Miss Barton really is, and knowing that she can bear the blows which may follow said description of her soul-visit, I will say, Amen, so be it.

Mary Baker Eddy

9 Pleasant View, Concord, N. H.,

January l0, 1908

— from Miscellany, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 296-297




Says Paul, “For the future, find your strength in union with the Lord, and in the power which comes from his might. Put on all the armor of God, so that you may be able to stand your ground against the stratagems of the Devil”

“The Whole Armor of God” from Christian Science Sentinel, December 29, 1906, by Rev. G. A. Kratzer




We’ve learned to pray daily with the following powerful statements given to us by Christ Jesus from the book of John: “I and my Father are one” (John 10: 30 ), “The Father that dwelleth in me, He doeth the works” (John 14: 10), and “The Father hath not left me alone” (John 8: 29).

— Plainfield Roundtable




We read that they were attacked by the Amalekites, a tribe who made war upon them at various times, with the persistent intention of preventing their entrance into the promised land. We find these assailants appearing and reappearing from the time of Moses to the reign of Saul, always alert and aggressive. In this particular attack, Joshua was chosen leader of the armies of Israel to repel the Amalekites. The battle was being waged in the valley, and Moses, accompanied by Aaron and Hur, the record says, stood upon a very high place witnessing the scene. While Moses stood with hands raised heavenward, the Israelites prevailed; but when his hands became weary and heavy and sank to his side, immediately the tide of battle seemed to turn and the Amalekites prevailed over the Israelites. Then Aaron and Hur, we read, “stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.” Thus Joshua, leading the hosts of Israel, discomfited the Amalekites and won the victory.

How like this is our experience! We have been drinking of the waters which flow from the spiritual rock,—Christ, Truth. We have been filled with gladness that proofs of Truth’s sustaining power have come to us in the wilderness of lost hopes, doubts, and fears. We feel that nothing could be too great for Truth to accomplish, and we want the world to share it with us, but we have yet to learn that after our enemy is repulsed in the open, it may reappear in a more subtle form. The Amalekites are still in the land, and history shows them to have been a persistent and aggressive enemy, appearing and reappearing, compelling the Israelites to war with them all the way from Egypt to Canaan.

“One of Our Obligations” from Christian Science Sentinel, Ocober 12, 1912, by Abbie J. Bain




Fidelity finds its reward and its strength in exalted purpose. Seeking is not sufficient whereby to arrive at the results of Science: you must strive; and the glory of the strife comes of honesty and humility.

“Fidelity” from Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy, page 341




Christian Science classifies thought thus: Right thoughts are reality and power; wrong thoughts are unreality and powerless, possessing the nature of dreams. Good thoughts are potent; evil thoughts are impotent, and they should appear thus. Continuing this category, we learn that sick thoughts are unreality and weakness; while healthy thoughts are reality and strength.

— from Miscellaneous Writings by Mary Baker Eddy, page 252




In metaphysics we learn that the strength of peace and of suffering is sublime, a true, tried mental conviction that is neither tremulous nor relapsing. This strength is like the ocean, able to carry navies, yet yielding to the touch of a finger.

— from Miscellany, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 121




Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

— Nehemiah 8:10 from the King James Bible




Say often: God is my strength. God is my life. God is my health and understanding.

Excerpt from article titled “A Treatment for Every Day” by Mary Baker Eddy



And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

— II Cor. 12:9, from the King James Bible




Spirit is symbolized by strength, presence, and power, and also by holy thoughts, winged with Love.

— from Science and Health, 1910, by Mary Baker Eddy, page 512




Know ye not that he who exercises the largest charity, and waits on God, renews his strength, and is exalted?

— from Miscellany by Mary Baker Eddy, page 130




To The Mother Church My Beloved Brethren: —

… Days of shade and shine may come and go, but we will live on and never drift apart. Life’s ills are its chief recompense; they develop hidden strength. Had I never suffered for The Mother Church, neither she nor I would be practising the virtues that lie concealed in the smooth seasons and calms of human existence. When we are willing to help and to be helped, divine aid is near. If all our years were holidays, sport would be more irksome than work. So, my dear ones, let us together sing the old-new song of salvation, and let our measure of time and joy be spiritual, not material.

— from Miscellany by Mary Baker Eddy, page 166




Religions may waste away, but the fittest survives; and so long as we have the right ideal, life is worth living and God takes care of our life.

— from Miscellany by Mary Baker Eddy, page 166




Notes aboutr Clara Barton and the Cuban Reconcentrados by Thomas from NY — Plainfield Bible Study




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