IN the second epistle to Timothy, written by Paul from Rome, there is to be found much loving admonition and exhortation to his beloved friend to be constant in the faith. And not the least noteworthy of the instruction given by the great apostle and teacher at that time is the following: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Paul could well give this advice, for he had practiced it assiduously after his conversion to Christianity and had been truly, in all manner of living, a workman "approved unto God."
Every one who becomes a student of Mrs. Eddy's writings soon perceives not only that there are demands upon him to practice the truth learned and so work out his own salvation, but that the working out of his salvation is not a narrow, selfcentered activity, but, rather, universal in scope; for he must endeavor to know the truth, whatever may claim to knock at the door of his consciousness. This, then, is his work. Whether one is a beginner in the study of this scientific statement of Christianity—Christian Science— or a student of many years' experience, there is the same opportunity and privilege—yea, demand—that he be a workman worthy of divine approbation.
The requirement is that we are to be "approved unto God," not unto men; and as God is absolutely just, impartial, and prompt in the perception and acknowledgment of work well done, a continual recognition and acceptance of this fact by any worker brings a great sense of freedom that is a joyous blessing. Jesus, who was the perfect workman, was not always approved by men; for do we not find in the Scriptural records of his ministry that the scribes and Pharisees were ever questioning, criticizing, and often condemning his work and his teaching? So, to-day, the same Pharisaical thought may try to interfere with, belittle, and misrepresent right endeavors in the Cause of Christian Science. We can rejoice, however, that Pharisaism has no more power or reality now than it had in Jesus' time. The potency of Truth is ever present, ever available, ever operative, ever supreme; and our work is to know and prove it, to the utter rejection and exclusion of all suggestions to the contrary.
