When James was writing to the early Christians, warning them against the sins to which men seem liable, he urged them to be swift to hear and slow to speak. He did not stop there, however, but went on to say, "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves," concluding his exhortation in this direction that if one be "not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."
The distinction between doers and mere hearers has always been definitely drawn; the one standing for that right activity which is always rich in fruitage; while the other represents the inaction and inertness which, like the barren desert, is of little value to itself or others. The hearers are always many. Even Jesus, however, lamented that the doers were so few, and he told his disciples to pray that God would send forth laborers into His plenteous harvest.
To-day, as in past time, there is the same temptation to hear and not to do; to listen with perhaps earnest intent, and then fail to make use of what has been heard. To-day, as of yore, there is the same danger of pouring in the letter of Truth and then failing to demonstrate it. Christian Science indicates beyond question that however much of Truth may have been heard or read, unless it be put into practice it is indeed but the dead letter.
