and object-lesson. In two weeks from the
date of its publication in December, 1893, letters extoll-
ing it were pouring in from artists and poets. A mother [10]
wrote, "Looking at the pictures in your wonderful book
has healed my child."

Knowing that this book would produce a stir, I sought
the judgment of sound critics familiar with the works
of masters in France and Italy. From them came such [15]
replies as the following: "The illustrations of your poem
are truly a work of art, and the artist seems quite familiar
with delineations from the old masters." I am delighted
to find "Christ and Christmas" in accord with the
ancient and most distinguished artists. [20]

_The Christian Science Journal_ gives no uncertain dec-
laration concerning the spirit and mission of "Christ and
Christmas."

I aimed to reproduce, with reverent touch, the modest
glory of divine Science. Not by aid of foreign device [25]
or environment could I copy art,--never having seen
the painter's masterpieces; but the _art_ of Christian
Science, with true hue and character of the living God,
is akin to its _Science_: and Science and Health gives
scopes and shades to the shadows of divinity, thus im- [30]
parting to humanity the true sense of meekness and
might.

[Page 373.]

One incident serves to illustrate the simple nature of [1]
art.

I insisted upon placing the serpent behind the woman
in the picture "Seeking and Finding." My artist at the
easel objected, as he often did, to my sense of Soul's [5]
expression through the brush; but, as usual, he finally
yielded. A few days afterward, the following from Roth-
erham's translation of the New Testament was handed
to me,--I had never before seen it: "And the serpent
cast out of his mouth, _behind_ the woman, water as a [10]
river, that he might cause her to be river-borne." Neither
material finesse, standpoint, nor perspective guides the
infinite Mind and spiritual vision that should, does, guide
His children.

One great master clearly delineates Christ's appear- [15]
ing in the flesh, and his healing power, as clad not in
soft raiment or gorgeous apparel; and when forced out
of its proper channel, as living feebly, in kings' courts.
This master's thought presents a sketch of Christian-
ity's state, in the early part of the Christian era, as [20]
homelessness in a wilderness. But in due time Chris-
tianity entered into synagogues, and, as St. Mark
writes, it has rich possession here