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.)
