To my sense, one of the greatest beauties of Biblical teaching, and especially the Christian Science concept of it, is the great fact that we are all required to work out our own salvation.
This very necessary work cannot be done by leaning on others, neither can it be accomplished by looking for the mote that seems to be in a brother's eye, not discerning the beam in our own. It seems, indeed, a very easy thing to lean upon some human personality, and likewise it seems a very easy matter to perceive error in others and thus point out to them their Christian duty; but valiantly to take up the work in our own behalf, and to detect and destroy the lurking error in our own thought, is quite another matter.
Mortal mind, which is always the offender, is an autocrat, a chronic fault-finder, always at war with the powers that be, ever ready to shirk responsibilities or see errors in some one else. If we permit this false sense of mind to rule we shall be seeing error and discord everywhere, seeing them, indeed, when they do not exist except in our own disordered sense of things, and thus magnifying, into a mountain every molehill of error that presents itself.
While we may, in some measure, be responsible for the spiritual welfare of a fellow-being, we cannot do his work for him,—he must do that for himself. The Bible, and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker G. Eddy, will show every one just how to work out his own salvation. An honest and sincere effort is the first requirement.
The tendency to see the errors of others and to do their work, pointing out their shortcomings, at the same time losing sight of our own spiritual needs, is one of the presumptuous sins of the age. This error is quite subtle, because it is always strongly fortified by self-righteousness, and we are thus blinded to our own spiritual barrenness. This, however, does not mean that we should not use our best endeavors at all times to bring erring mortals into a realizing sense of their need of Truth as taught and demonstrated in Christian Science, but it means rather that we must first seek our own salvation, well knowing that when this is done with earnestness and sincerity, we shall abundantly reflect that Truth which heals and saves. The Scriptures teach us that salvation is of Jesus Christ. Then let us remember with meekness that he said, "I can of mine own self do nothing." Now if our great Way-shower was impressed with such a deep sense of nothingness as to make such a statement as that, ought not we to stand in awe before the majesty of Infinite Truth, and say with him who made our salvation possible. "Not my will, but Thine, be done."
There is no place in Christian Science for the chronic fault-finder, and those who use their little understanding of this glorious teaching to criticise unfairly the Christian life or work of others, instead of engaging in the more exalted work of trying to realize Truth for themselves, will be sadly disappointed and reap very few spiritual blessings. We must turn the searchlight of Truth within, so that the thoughts and deeds of the "old man" may be cast out, and the "new man" in righteousness be revealed.
A serious error that many Scientists fall into, and somewhat unconsciously, is the habit of leaning on others for help, depending on some human personality, instead of looking to divine Principle to aid them. These are like unto the guests who, when bidden to the feast, "with one consent began to make excuse." The demands of business and pleasure are so much more insistent and importunate, and apparently so much more essential to present needs, that many carelessly or indolently fritter the time away and, like the foolish virgins, neglect to provide oil for their lamps unto the coming of the Bridegroom. "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty," and of spiritual acquirement as well.
The mad or insatiable desire of mortals to get rich,—to get something for nothing, or almost nothing,—is the bane of all human effort, and this Spirit of commercialism is too often carried into the Christian life. We are always ready to accept the blessings of divine Love, but are we as ready and willing to make the seeming sacrifices that are the price of these blessings? The Master said, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon," yet how often we find ourselves serving God just a little, and mammon a great deal.
Indifference and sloth are inadmissible in Christian Science. It is necessary not only to be alert and watchful, but we must practise what we know if we would reap the blessings of divine Love.
As Christian Scientists we need to be constantly on our guard against the numerous subtle forms of error that lurk in the byways and highways of mortal thought. "Stand porter at the door of thought," is one of the many forceful admonitions of Science and Health which should be engraven on the memory. One of the most subtle errors that the Christian Scientist has to contend with is the tendency to talk too much; especially is this the case with the new student who is the recipient of many blessings. Not that it is error to talk Christian Science, but the error lies in the fact that in the exuberance of our great joy on first realizing the wonderful blessings of this glorious Truth, we are prone to talk it indiscriminately, and give our own concept of it, which is often wrong, and often very unscientific. In this way we may unconsciously array against us all that is antagonistic in mortal mind. We should not attempt to teach Christian Science until we have sufficient understanding to demonstrate it, and even then quite sparingly until we clearly discern that "Light, which lighteth every man that Cometh into the world."
Again, there are those who fall into the habit of audibly stating Science in the absolute to the unprepared thought. In the eight years that I have been a student in Christian Science I have known of several instances where those who were quite favorably impressed with the teaching, have been turned against it, because some well-meaning brother or sister had said to one under a claim, "You are not sick; nothing ails you." This statement, unexplained, is so far above and beyond the comprehension of those addressed, that the element of absurdity, to their sense, assumes such gigantic proportions as to obscure all else, and they turn away in disgust. Therefore would it not be better, in such cases, to proclaim the Truth silently instead of audibly. I verily believe that much of the prejudice against our cause comes from indiscreet actions and statements of Scientists themselves. The great apostle Paul admonishes us against this last error: "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able."
As the Christian Science leaven stirs mortal thought from centre to circumference, we may expect that our cause will be misunderstood and denounced by those unfamiliar with it; but let us remember that the eternal Truth of God will not be affected by what friend or foe may say or think, for Truth is not changed by mortal beliefs or conditions.
If there be those who are engaged in Christian Science work who are prompted by selfish and mercenary motives, as has been so often charged; if any are using this noble cause as merchandise for financial gain, let us remember that only those who are guilty will have to pay the penalty for that sin, and not we, unless we come under the same condemnation. Therefore let us cease from judging in these matters and not try to assume the prerogatives of omnipotence. Instead of looking for error and discord, let us look for Good, remembering that Good is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. The Psalmist saith, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." This glorious exaltation is not realized by fault-finding, judging unrighteous judgment, nor by indulging envy, malice, hatred, wrath, selfishness, vengeance, and evil thoughts, but by doing good and clinging steadfastly to the understanding of the allness and omnipotence of Divine Love.
