IN social intercourse pride of place and power is all too often the master of ceremonies. Self-seeking motives and the attitude of "I am holier than thou" would shut out from social circles the natural expression of individualized good. How truly, then, is the earnest, unassuming right-thinker a veritable oasis to society! and how truly Mrs. Eddy estimated society's great need when she said, "Beloved children, the world has need of you,—and more as children than as men and women: it needs your innocence, unselfishness, faithful affection, uncontaminated lives" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 110).
Christian Science bestows these virtues upon all its obedient followers, and through their radiation society is blessed beyond measure. Just here, however, every Christian Scientist should pause and carefully reckon with purpose and motive to discover whether it is the love of Christ or the love of popularity which is actuating him. He must remember, too, that neither uplifting influence nor righteous example is sufficient to meet the requirements of scientific Christianity, for it is the works, and the works alone, that are the alpha and omega of Christian Science. These are accomplished through a spiritual understanding of divine Love, and such understanding is not to be found in the whirl of society or in the mad rush of the world. Only through absolute consecration and unworldliness of thought is that knowledge reached whereby the Master's signs follow the disciples of today. Then let him who would be a true metaphysician work his way out of self-interests and personal obligations, until through deep study and earnest meditation he becomes wholly governed by divine Principle, and is able to keep himself "unspotted from the world."
Such a one finds little or no time for society manners and ways. Indeed, his only right attitude toward society is gained through following, in so far as he is able, the example of Christ Jesus, who, though not of the world, yet attended a wedding where he turned water into wine, and who dined with the high-caste Pharisee where he healed the Magdalene of sin. In those days, however, personal association was more necessary, for it was about the only means by which the word of God could be presented to the world, but in the light of today's advancement this need has been greatly lessened by the work of the press. Thus, it is not strange that the world has felt the influence of and received benefits from Mrs. Eddy without seeing her. She has pointed out that her seclusion could be understood only as it was realized how much time and toil were required to establish the cause of Christian Science. (See Science and Health, p. 464.)
Nor should we allow ourselves to forget that such time and toil are still required to promote this world-blessing movement, the welfare of which is entrusted to every individual Christian Scientist. In meeting this obligation, if we are wise, we will deeply consider our Leader's attitude toward society. We are told that she occasionally entertained her students, but "never relaxed into the idleness of mere diversion," and that her conversation constantly pertained to the subject of better realization. (See Life of Mary Baker Eddy by Sibyl Wilbur, p. 26) This writer also gives us another striking example of our Leader's aloofness from society, when she refers to a reception which was given her by well-meaning but overzealous students. The account describes this wonderful woman as appearing in most simple attire, and that after giving a brief address, she quietly withdrew. Later she pointed out to these students their mistaken method, and we may find her viewpoint in Science and Health (p. 238): "Attempts to conciliate society and so gain dominion over mankind, arise from worldly weakness."
This does not mean a sudden revolt for the individual whom Christian Science finds already enthralled in worldly matters. On the contrary, such a one may not be able of his own choosing to turn immediately from the well-beaten paths of social life. Rather must those "who are the called according to his purpose," whether found in the palace or the hut, in business or society, learn first to demonstrate right where they are the omnipotence and omnipresence of God, until either unscientific conditions improve and they behold God glorified in their midst, or else new environments and opportunities unfold after God's appointing.
Thus will the young student of Christian Science gently emerge from conflicting experiences to find a better way. Meanwhile, let him ever remember that each kindly deed, each patient waiting on others, each rendering "unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's," is but a means to an end, a step in the direction of the one great goal of pure metaphysics, where demonstrable facts spring forth into "signs following," and sin, disease, and death are overcome by the word of God. Let no Christian Scientist rest satisfied with his motives and aims, until he has at least made a start on the way to the labor fields of Christian healing. Surely it is a joy to drop the self-assumed burdens of so-called personal good and enter into the individual consecration of hallowed toil and prayer-filled days, where without blare of trumpets the mighty works of God are done. Within the peace of such consecration society's frown melts into nothingness, and we begin to realize that popularity is but a bauble.
With the new love for God and man which Christian Science brings to us, a love' such as we had never known before, the scales begin to fall from off the eyes of narrow self, and we see how "heavy is the weight of ill in every heart," and how great the need for Christlike comforters. Beholding this need, a solemn obligation rests upon every one of us to take a radical stand for Truth, and to give ourselves wholly and entirely to this greatest and holiest of all causes. Furthermore, we should carefully consider the new responsibility assumed, the demands upon our time, and rely absolutely upon God for the needed wisdom and guidance. Then and only then will the better way be found, and these searching questions of our beloved Leader (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 177) be correctly answered: "Will you doff your lavender-kid zeal, and become real and consecrated warriors? Will you give yourselves wholly and irrevocably to the great work of establishing the truth, the gospel, and the Science which are necessary to the salvation of the world from error, sin, disease, and death? Answer at once and practically, and answer aright."
