IN the ascending scale of spiritual thought, the true purpose of our life in relation to the mission of Christian Science is more clearly revealed. That mission is succinctly set forth on page 107 of Science and Health. It is based on the ever-inspiring truth of Immanuel, "God with us," and in the availability of divine power and divine Love for the needs of mankind. The consecrated life is one of spiritual devotion in the service of God and humanity.
One of the first acts of our Lord when he entered upon his three years' demonstration of God's purpose in and through him, was to gather around him a band of workers. To mortal sense their limitations rendered them quite unfit for the high and holy calling upon which they entered, but the Master's spiritual vision always penetrated beneath the surface, and with infinite patience he taught this little band the pure truth of God, until they became coworkers with him in proclaiming the word of Life and the forerunners of a mighty army of devoted men and women who have given all for Christ. The Love that is God constrained them, and divine Love has not lost its power. The earnest spiritual life will always seek a spiritual vocation. He who by demonstration, by faithful seeking, has found the truth, at once becomes an "ambassador for Christ." His whole nature has been so renewed, has been so illuminated with a spiritual glow, that, often to his surprise, he hungers to become a preacher of righteousness.
The Christian Scientist, having enlisted to "lessen evil, disease, and death" (Science and Health, p. 450) finds it impossible to limit the scope of this lofty mission to his own personal benefit. He becomes an altruist. Thereby he evidences that in some measure he recognizes the close relationship between his brother man and himself, and is conscious of the opportunity that awaits him in the fulfilment of his high destiny. Where he may stumble, unless he seeks the guidance of the one Mind in this as in all things, is in not wisely discerning what he is specially called to do. He may, for instance, seek to discriminate between what is called sacred and profane work, forgetting that all honest, unselfish work is of God, good. Our Lord called some to be "fishers of men," but he did not expect that every man should leave his particular occupation and follow him in a literal sense. The mission of Jesus was to do, not his own will, but the will of Him that sent him; and what Jesus did, every son of God may and should do.
