THE shepherds near Bethlehem were keeping watch over their flocks by night when they heard the joyful message of peace and good will. The Wise-men were watching the movements of the heavenly bodies for propitious signs when the star led them to the young child in Bethlehem. The Scriptures tell of the watchtowers of Zion and of the watchmen who witness the dawn of the true light. These are not mere figures of speech; they point to knowledge of spiritual facts which may be realized in experience, and stand for alertness and protection of man's real heritage as a child of God, infinite Mind. They imply the immanence of God, good, and the hope of demonstrating the unity and liberty of the sons of God. Humanity's highest concept of God is revealed in the sacred writings of the Bible. They therefore lead thought as the true guide to eternal Life, and are fully interpreted through the "key" to be found in the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. With the advent in consciousness of a demonstrable knowledge of Truth, has come an awakening to an actual existence apart from all belief in a material origin or cause; and with this awakening has come a new incentive for living.
Who demands of us that we watch? Why do we watch? What do we watch? How do we watch? Certainly, watching is the opposite of indolence or indifference. Individual opportunity and responsibility, as well as vigilance, call into action new motives and practices. The terms watch and pray, watch and work, watch and strive, are coupled together in Christian Science. Daily exercise of the virtues hope, faith, and love is a mental practice which overcomes dullness and a sense of the absence of good. Recognizing causation apart from material conditions turns thought to God, not to human personality, for healing. It leads to analyzing situations from a mental standpoint, and directs thought to spiritual light and individual demonstration. It does not solve problems to think that Mrs. Eddy's watching for the whole race brought to others the benefit of her work without their own efforts to go and do likewise. This would not correspond with the doctrine of individual demonstration as taught in Christian Science. Students are not encouraged to lean on another's good works. Each one has equal privilege to use our Leader's instructions, and to enter through the "open door," which "no man can shut," into actual spiritual dominion—man's true birthright.
The duty assigned a watchman is to look out for signs of approaching good or evil; to make announcements; to give warning. It is significant as the right mental attitude, and is especially noteworthy at this period of spiritual activity. There must be something of good to watch for and to welcome; and there are claims of evil against which to be on guard. Evidently, there is a widespread longing after a dependable religion and medicine. Restlessness under oppressive theories antagonistic to human welfare and rebellion against mental tyranny are signs of the reappearing of Truth. Expectation of something better than is known is felt everywhere. The consciousness of ever present Love, which brought physical healing to Mrs. Eddy, was a proof of spiritual power. She stood alone with God in a newborn sense of good. In it she recognized man as God's image or reflection, and found her place in the Love which is God. Her faith was sufficient to grasp the truth of being and definitely to bring forth the first fruits of spiritual understanding in our age.
