WHEN Moses went up "into the mount of God," and there remained in communion with the most High for forty days and forty nights, he learned how men must make their offerings to God, for the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, "Of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering." Then followed for the people their kindergarten lesson of giving, when they furnished the materials for the tabernacle. Later there was the building of the temple in Jerusalem, and in the days of Nehemiah the restoration of the city, calling for voluntary effort and service. It was at that time thought best to have "one of ten" of the people in Jerusalem, and those in the other cities, cast lots as to who should be brought there, and the record is that "the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem." Coming to a still later time, we find Peter giving his conception of service, and suggesting that it be done "not by constraint, but willingly: not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind."
The proffer of service should be made with unconfused motives. Not the self but the cause should be considered. The man who measures work by its profit to himself does not find work that really pays. It is the man whose life is useful to the world who gains the true reward for labor. It is the office of Christian Science to guide men and women into such service as makes them useful to the whole of mankind. Hence the devoted Christian Scientist is not looking for advantage to himself, nor working for immediate profit. His clear purpose is to prove the truth for the welfare of all. When he heals the sick his reward is not the fee, but the joy he has in the patient's release from pain, since the proof will reach others, and lead them to redemption and happiness also. He is willing to sow his life that men who come after may reap the fruit of his demonstration. It is by the increasing welfare of mankind that he is made glad, and for any divine blessing that comes to any man anywhere he is grateful to the loving Father.
Some things said to resemble Christian Science are in truth quite different; that, for instance, which professes to heal the sick by suggestion, or by the cultivated power of the human will, and which proclaims itself to be Christian. Observe, however, the arguments used, and their demand for personal advantage: "I want health, and I must have it; I want wealth, and I must have it; nothing can prevent my plans from being carried out; no one can prosper who stands in my way;" and so on. Here is what one might call a "science for having your own way." The appeal is to a wrong motive, the getting instinct rather than the giving grace. The method is the exercise of the human will, and permanent peace is impossible for those who believe in the method, since it is the action of the carnal minds and selfish wills of men which causes the misery of the race. If we are unenlightened, "we know not what we should pray for as we ought," and we are in darkness if our desires are for self-glorification.
