IN Matthew's gospel, also that of Luke, we find a warning from Christ Jesus that under prevailing material conditions "offenses will come," but we also find some definite instructions given by him for the prevention or overcoming of these errors. It is a matter of experience in the history of the organization and growth of Christian Science churches, that from time to time circumstances occur which seem to give rise to a great deal of stir and sometimes friction among the workers. To those only just beginning to take an active interest and part in the work involved in faithful church-membership, this stir is apt to be something of a disappointment. In joining a Christian Science organization they have probably felt they were entering a haven of rest from all the fret and fever of discussion and of human opinion arising from a belief in wills many and minds many. They expect of all the older members a state of being somewhat analogous to that described in the well-known epitaph in an old English churchyard where some one is reported as having "burst her mortal shell of sin, and hatched herself a cherubim"! They forget that the nothingness of the beliefs in personal sense, self-will, self-love, is not demonstrated all at once, but is the reward of steady, patient, persistent self-immolation. The writer remembers so clearly the sense of disappointment and sadness she experienced at the first indications of stir and unrest that came to her notice, that she offers the following story of its overcoming, hoping it will comfort some who may be feeling the same sense of sadness today.
A student of Christian Science sat puzzling over a letter received the day after a meeting at which a discordant note had been struck. The words of the letter were these: "Do not be afraid; great good will come of it, for we know that God, good, is the only activity." "Yes, this is undoubtedly true," the young student said to herself, "since God is the only Life and Mind; and yet, if true, what could it all mean?" She had an appointment shortly after, so slipping the note into her book for further consideration, she started for her rooms. A little boy ran out to meet her. "I am quite better," he said, "and so is Willy. I wish we could do something to show we are grateful, like grownup people do: but we have no money, have we? Couldn't we run errands, though, and do things?" "Yes, dear; you can do something now, if you like," she answered. "I want some wild flowers and foliage for tomorrow, and there are some lovely dogroses up the hill. Will you run and get me some? Those will be smiles of love and gratitude, won't they?" The two little fellows ran off and the student went in to her work; yet, in the intervals of seeing those who came to her for help, the question persistently presented itself, If God is the only activity, if Christ, Truth, is working in every consciousness, how can there be any stir or commotion at all?
After a while two very dusty but delighted small boys appeared, bearing sprays of sweet hedgeroses. "Will these do all right?" they asked. "See, we have picked all buds, the full-blown ones would not last long; but if you put these in water the buds will all be out by tomorrow. We will put them in glasses now, till you go home." They ran downstairs eagerly to do so, and, as the student followed them, the following conversation was heard: "I have put all mine in water already, Cyril." "Where?" "In that glass. It was all ready on the table." "That is no use. I have been using that water for painting my map; it is all red sediment at the bottom." "That does not matter," said the other, "it is quite clear at the top." "It may look quite clear, but it is not, it is poisoned all through; the leaves would die and the buds would never open." He gave the glass a little shake. "See, now all the water is thick and red!" he said. "We must wash it out first."
