WHEN Jesus said to his disciples, "I am among you as he that serveth," he not only rebuked their mortal striving as to who should be greatest, but he also definitely revealed the sign by which mankind might always recognize the presence of Truth. The desire to be of service to the world is a common characteristic of mankind, but the selfish element of the human mind too often seeks some lordly elevation over one's fellows, whence it may "exercise authority upon them" and thus be "called benefactors." This personal sense loses sight of the spiritual service which was instituted by the Master, and which can be emulated only by the individual who has discerned something of the divine Principle that animated Jesus.
To help others effectively, it is first necessary to have an intelligent conception of what humanity's need really is, and then to understand how to assist them; even more, to know what it is that inspires within one's self this loving desire to serve. In short, one must have some ideal to guide his efforts if he is to escape the foes of self aggrandizement and sympathetic mesmerism from within, and to refuse understanding to be exploited by the enemy of selfishness from without, as manifested by those mortals who are ever ready to "serve themselves of" any one who is found willing to be useful, to quote Jeremiah's unique phrasing.
Through the discovery, exposition, and practise of Christian Science, Mrs. Eddy has contributed a surpassing illustration of true spiritual service to the world, such as was inaugurated by Jesus and practised by his followers during the first two centuries. Science and Health explains how service, to be divine and therefore truly helpful, must be scientific. It leads the human thought to the right basis of action, and points to the Principle and rule whereby right relations with others may be maintained through a spiritual sense of love which can neither be subjected to the blight of mortal sentimentality on the one hand, nor buried beneath a crust of selfish proprietorship on the other. Christian Science has set in motion a systematic crusade in the interest of humanity, and the adherents are as certain of the beneficent results of their labors as is the astronomer sure of the course of the stars which he has calculated by the rule of the science which he understands.
