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EUNICE F. MAURER
The world may fail to understand Christian Science, since it believes itself opposed to its teachings; but the time has come when general human opinion does concede that Christian Scientists honor God in their daily living. It is recognized that they read the Bible, are kind, loving, forgiving, and slow to take offense; it is granted by the layman that they are endeavoring to come out from the world of sin and disease. Moreover, all these things are now expected of a Christian Scientist by society. . . . The world sees the outward acts, but Christian Science searches the heart. It purifies thought until honorable living is the natural consequence; hence, to be obedient to the third commandment one must be upright in thought and deed as well as in word. A label is a mockery if it fails to tell the truth. It destroys confidence, and may even be punishable under our legal codes. The term Christian Scientist . . . should be a divine title, a title to be striven for rather than assumed. Our Master proved himself to be the Messiah; and the Scriptures teach us he was given the new name Christ Jesus, meaning the Godlike. Jesus is "the way." In "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 153) Mary Baker Eddy writes: "Christian Scientists bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, not flesh; and God giveth this 'new name' to no man who honors Him not by positive proof of trustworthiness." Christian Science living must be a constant prayer, uttered best in good deeds. A Christian Scientist knows how to obey the third commandment. One not constantly conscious of the Science of Christ, or the Science of being, cannot understand and use the rules whereby he may honor God by thought and deed. Nor can any but a Christian Scientist realize how guilty, indeed, are those who talk about Christian Science, quoting promiscuously the letter, but fail to demonstrate these precious teachings in lives purified and with thoughts enriched. In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 203) Mrs. Eddy teaches us: "All that is worth reckoning is what we do, and the best of everything is not too good, but is economy and riches. Be great not as a grand obelisk, nor by setting up to be great, — only as good." The name Christian Scientist is a sacred title to bear, a title to make one constantly prayerful, constantly on guard, constantly ready to reflect the light, constantly ready to demonstrate good in daily living. Mrs. Eddy says (Miscellany, p. 160), "To live so as to keep human consciousness in constant relation with the divine, the spiritual, and the eternal, is to individualize infinite power; and this is Christian Science." To talk Christian Science, yet fail to obey the fundamental rule, does more than "take the name of the Lord thy God in vain;" for it antagonizes, misleads, and sows seeds of error broadcast, which sometime must be uprooted either by Science or by bitter struggle and suffering. To such error as this the third commandment declares, "The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." Coordinate with this commandment stands the great constructive second commandment of Christ Jesus, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." What follower of divine Science has not known the blessing and inspiration of intercourse with some one of those men or women who are standing today on the watch towers of Science, with lives consecrated, and who are reaching out their hands to those struggling toward the light? To be obedient to the third commandment one should talk little and pray more, boast less and demonstrate oftener, reminisce less and reflect Truth better, dream less and know more. Then, and then only, will he become a bulwark of spiritual strength, a channel of good, an avenue for healing, a messenger of Love. Then, indeed, will his efforts cease to be in vain, and his acts a stumblingblock to others.
Christian Science Sentinel, April 1, 1922 |
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