EVERYONE knows that it is common custom for anyone preparing to run a race to free himself of every ounce of unnecessary weight. In a long racing contest it counts for much to have as little as possible to carry, for thus a maximum amount of freedom is assured to the human body. Paul, the great apostle to the Gentiles, made helpful illustrations of the ordinary happenings of his time, to point out the way for the followers of Christ in future ages. He manifestly longed to help all Christian people to attain the victory over materiality and find their true individualities as the sons and daughters of God. In the twelfth chapter of Hebrews, we find some splendid advice as to ways and means of salvation in the following words: "Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."
When he started on his journey to Damascus in his efforts further to persecute the followers of Christ Jesus, Saul of Tarsus little realized that ere he reached his destination he would experience a complete change of heart, caused by the awakening of his spiritual sense. He had first to see and repent of the sin he had committed in persecuting an innocent people, and then it was necessary for him to comprehend his great need of the Christ, Truth. Saul showed genuine repentance and humility by loving obedience to his heavenly vision; and shortly thereafter we find his name changed to Paul. This strong, splendid character stands out in the history of the early church as one who proved himself worthy to give advice regarding the Christian warfare, which the humblest and the mightiest disciple alike can ill afford to neglect.
Our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, manifests great admiration for Paul. In "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 360) she says: "Great only as good, because fashioned divinely, were those unpretentious yet colossal characters, Paul and Jesus. Theirs were modes of mind cast in the moulds of Christian Science: Paul's, by the supremely natural transforming power of Truth; and the character of Jesus, by his original scientific sonship with God. Philosophy never has produced, nor can it reproduce, these stars of the first magnitude—fixed stars in the heavens of Soul." This splendid tribute increases our confidence in Paul's ability to help us out of the wilderness into the promised land, where Spirit is acknowledged as All-in-all.
