"Every day makes its demands upon us for higher proofs rather than professions of Christian power." writes Mrs. Eddy on page 233 of Science and Health, and then adds. "These proofs consist solely in the destruction of sin sickness, and death by the power of Spirit, as Jesus destroyed them "Familiar words to you, perhaps, but are you meeting these demands every day? Do not pass these words without asking yourself self this question, and if the answer comes that you are meeting them "as well as possible." stop and directly test your efforts by the latter part of the statement quoted above. Has your work this very day really destroyed aught of the claims of sin sickness, and death about you?
One man who felt himself quite important in church work, so busied himself with the manifold duties of office that no time was left him for healing the sick and comforting the sorrowful, but such cases he would refer to less busy people in his church. Now this man was on his way one evening to a conference and took an unfamiliar route through a part of the city densely populated by foreign peoples. He had not gone far when he had the sensation of being in quite a different world. First he found himself in the midst of preparations for some elaborate festival or procession and his progress was checked by a dense throng through which rode excited men on equally excited horses. Shouts, cries, and banners were all in a foreign language but he learned by questioning that a religious celebration was about to start. The waiting crowds extended as far as his eye could see and he sensed the magnitude of the undertaking as he thought of the work necessary to organize such a ceremony. As he watched, the preparations he was startled at the thoughts that came to him, for he felt all these efforts and all this display could produce only limited results. A few blocks away were people like himself who knew little and who cared less for this undertaking and it was quite likely that the majority of those present and taking part would soon forget the incident. It was a disquieting thought that perhaps what he was doing might seem equally petty to these people.
As the man went farther he passed a political speaker addressing a grimy audience in favor of some local candidate who apparently possessed truly wonderful virtues and whose election promised most wonderful reforms. He was startled when he heard the orator talk of the extent of the candidate's constituency and realized that he had never heard of this man seeking to represent thousands and that these local issues had never been a matter for thought with him in that same block he heard music and saw a line of cabs at the curb and realized he was one of those outside the selected circle of guests at some locally important social event. He wondered on what basis they became social leaders and what great ambitions and hopes rested on the success of this affair. These people were ignorant of his existence, as he had been of theirs. His achievements meant nothing to them, as theirs meant nothing to him. What was the ultimate of all their efforts, or rather what was the real value of all his daily routine?
