Fall Convocation

September 24, 2009

Mind is not necessarily dependent upon educational processes. It possesses of itself all beauty and poetry, and the power of expressing them. Spirit, God, is heard when the senses are silent. We are all capable of more than we do. The influence or action of Soul confers a freedom, which explains the phenomena of improvisation and the fervor of untutored lips.

Science & Health, 89

Progress

• moving or going forward, onward• growth, increase• advancement• intellectual or moral improvement

Every day makes its demands upon us for higher proofs rather than professions of Christian power. These proofs consist solely in the destruction of sin, sickness, and death by the power of Spirit, as Jesus destroyed them. This is an element of progress, and progress is the law of God, whose law demands of us only what we can certainly fulfill.

Science & Health, 233

Copyright ©2000 the President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeCopyright ©2000 the President and Fellows of Harvard College

The systematized centres of Christian Science are life-giving fountains of truth. Our churches, The Christian Science Journal, and the Christian Science Quarterly, are prolific sources of spiritual power whose intellectual, moral, and spiritual animus is felt throughout the land. Our Publishing Society, and our Sunday Lessons, are of inestimable value to all seekers after Truth.

Miscellaneous Writings, 113-4

Through divine Science, Spirit, God, unites understanding to eternal harmony. The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace. Thus the dawn of ideas goes on, forming each successive stage of progress. Science & Health, 506

Spiritual causation is the one question to be considered, for more than all others spiritual causation relates to human progress. The age seems ready to approach this subject, to ponder somewhat the supremacy of Spirit, and at least to touch the hem of Truth's garment.

Science & Health, 170

“ If our relationship … is what it should be, [we] will talk freely … of the problems that present themselves and also of [our] own hopes and interests in life. At least, [we] will do so if [we] find … something of sufficient value to feed [us] or if [we] find … an honest, intelligent, sympathetic readiness to consider [together] fundamental problems of human experience. These questions include economic, political, social, marriage, and religious problems with which humanity is struggling — apparently in the dark — at present.“

Education at Principia, 55

Principia, we sing thy praise,Home of our happy student days;Here in the light of wisdom’s ways

We strive and watch and wait.And so all through the coming years,

In times of laughter or of tears,Our love for thee shall quell all fears,

And never shall abate.Here ‘neath thy classic shades we find

The joys of learning, ties that bind.A charity to all mankindShows us the truer life.

And by thy torch which burneth bright,We’re led into the glorious light,Sustained by Love, the only right,

We’re free from worldly strife.Then when to thee we bid adieu,Departing hence to scenes anew,

Principia, may we be true,Thy precepts let us keep.

So as the years do onward flow,In character may we all grow,

And by our lives to others showThat as we sow we reap.

Principia HymnWords by Adelaide Obear Fill, 1906

Principia HymnWords by Adelaide Obear Fill, 1906

Principia, we sing thy praise,Home of our happy student days;Here in the light of wisdom’s ways

We strive and watch and wait.

And so all through the coming years,In times of laughter or of tears,

Our love for thee shall quell all fears,And never shall abate.

Here ‘neath thy classic shades we findThe joys of learning, ties that bind.

A charity to all mankindShows us the truer life.

And by thy torch which burneth bright,We’re led into the glorious light,

Sustained by Love, the only right,We’re free from worldly strife.

Then when to thee we bid adieu,Departing hence to scenes anew,

Principia, may we be true,Thy precepts let us keep.

So as the years do onward flow,In character may we all grow,

And by our lives to others showThat as we sow we reap.

In Christian Science, progress is demonstration, not doctrine… it gives…loftier desires and new possibilities… It touches mind to more spiritual issues, systematizes action, gives a keener sense of Truth and a stronger desire for it.

Miscellaneous Writings, 235