When defining the meaning of words from even the most reliable dictionaries it is well for the student of Christian Science to remember what Mrs. Eddy has so truly said in Science and Health, on page 338. "The dissection and definition of words, aside from their metaphysical derivation, is not scientific." Thus, for instance, unless the word "rule" which the dictionaries define as "a guide for action," is metaphysically understood it will be perverted and distorted by the human mind to fall in with its self-assertive, selfwilled and unworthy motives. If, however, the spiritual meaning of guidance and action is sought for and applied to human conditions, rules become beacon lights along the way from the valley of material sense to the heights of Spirit.
Surely no safer guide for action could be offered for our earnest contemplation than these words written by our Leader on page 568 of her textbook: "Self-abnegation, by which we lay down all for Truth, or Christ, in our warfare against error, is a rule in Christian Science." With every demand Mrs. Eddy made upon Christian Scientists she clearly pointed out to them the way to fulfill it, but the way has to be paved with scrupulous honesty of motive, based upon a sincere desire to live for and work for divine Principle, eliminating any taint of selfish desire. In proportion as the knowledge of God as divine Mind, changeless Love, and fixed Principle, becomes more vital and real to us, action is understood as continuous instant reflection of divine qualities, inherent in infinite Mind; thus the constant turning in thought to Principle for guidance must ever result in more spontaneous activity of spiritual thinking and acting. Our love of Principle can only be proved by the strict observance and practice of given spiritual rules constituting real structure and being.
We often find, when difficulties arise in our experience, that the human mind invariably argues for itself by justifying or pitying its actions, thus perpetuating the suffering. Sometimes a subtle lie creeps in, suggesting that a certain line of action has been taken in accord with Principle, when, through blind self-deception, merely the indulgence of human impulse has swayed motive. When any one truly desires to be honest, such mesmerism cannot long becloud his mental outlook, for, like a narcotic, lethargy sooner or later loses its supposed power to induce stupefaction; sooner if the sleeper is awakened, as he can always be, by obeying the insistent demands of Truth calling him to leave all for Christ, or later, through suffering from this nightmare if disobedient to the appeal of Truth. It is well, in dealing with adverse circumstances, that the Christian Scientist squarely faces the fact that the troubles never could have arisen had not some specific phase of the belief in a material selfhood presented itself for acceptance as something to be considered. Even if the suffering is the result of another's mistake, it is our belief in evil that has constituted this self-inflicted sense of suffering. Therefore if we are ever alert to this fundamental error, our work should be simple and effectual as we apply the divine rule of abnegation, thus yielding up erroneous arguments.
