'Christian Science: Unlocking the Treasures of the Bible'

Christian Science lecturer Andre Piot recalls times when he has ''found healing just by reading and searching the Scriptures. Deep search of the Bible, seeking its spiritual meaning,'' he adds, ''leads to practical resolution to our problems.''

Mr. Piot, a native of Switzerland, now making his home in St. Louis, Missouri , spoke yesterday afternoon on ''Christian Science: Unlocking the Treasures of the Bible'' at The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston.

The lecturer followed a career in mechanical engineering before turning full time to the public healing practice of Christian Science. He is currently serving on The Christian Science Board of Lectureship.

Miss Patricia Culbert, a local member of The Mother Church, introduced Mr. Piot.

An abridged text of the lecture follows:

A few years ago, I heard a prominent radio speaker talking on racial matters in a local auditorium. He was predicting dark hours to come. The speaker was black, the audience all white.

Everyone was roused to action. ''What can we do to help?'' one member of this audience immediately asked. After a long pause, the speaker replied, ''To an audience like this, I would say - pray, and find out individually what to do.''

At the time, I was serving my church in a responsible position. I was also engaged in a demanding professional activity. Even though I didn't seem to have a spare moment left after caring for my family, my church, and my business, nevertheless I resolved to do something about this racial problem.

So I prayed. I was willing to listen for divine direction. You see, in Christian Science we don't pray for things, but we realize that God is harmoniously controlling every aspect of our lives; that He is the one infinite power, totally good. Recognizing God's government through prayer leads us to concrete proof of His care.

Two weeks later, while on a business trip in another state, I stepped into a taxi at the end of a busy day. The taxi was full of cigarette smoke. I said to the taxi driver, a black man, ''You must love cigarette smoking.'' ''No sir,'' he said. ''I have given up cigarette smoking.'' My interest was awakened, and I asked, ''How did you do it?''

''The Bible, sir, the King James Version of the Bible'' was his reply. This further aroused my interest, and I asked him to tell me more.

He explained that some time ago a minister had come to see him and had given him a beautiful leather Bible and said simply, ''Just read it.'' I told him that I was a Reader in my church. Then I asked him to continue his story. He disclosed that he had given up smoking while reading the Bible, and that other good things happened to him. Grasping just a little meant a lot

''You are white - I am black,'' he said, ''but as I read, I realized that we are all the children of God.'' He no longer felt racial prejudice - just love. I marveled. Then he added: ''You know, I used to earn very little money, but since I started reading the Bible, I always have customers. And the dispatcher, who keeps the good runs for his friends, is also sending me on these well-paid runs.''

We had arrived at our destination, and I asked him if he would mind sharing other significant happenings that had come from his reading the Bible.

I said, ''You must love Psalms 23 and 91.''

''No sir,'' he replied, and I noticed that he wrote down the numbers.

''I thought you were a student of the Bible,'' I said.

''Yes, but I'm still at the beginning, in Genesis.''

Look at all he learned just by reading Genesis!

As we parted, he looked back at me and said, ''Such encounters don't just happen! We know who brought us together.''

I felt the kingdom of heaven on earth. Think of it, just by reading one book of the Bible, and grasping something of its message, this taximan had:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Next