THE phrase "singleness of purpose" carries within itself a demand and an inspiration. It speaks of weights laid aside, and of a turning away from the sins which "so easily beset us" to purely spiritual ends worthy of many material sacrifices. Oftentimes we are irked in our work by a sense of futility. Of what avail is all this? comes the recurrent suggestion. Were I not so faithfully at work in Christian Science would not terrestrial things go forward quite as successfully? Can my efforts be of great importance? Will a slight deviation from the straight way be harmful? When such thoughts assail us, it is well to examine our motives to see whether we have a single or a divided purpose.
A Christian Scientist, when engaged in mental housecleaning, may be astonished to discover that all unknowingly his early lofty purpose has dropped toward selfish ends. Just when this began to occur he may be puzzled to remember; yet he sadly realizes that the former selfless striving has in some way descended to the ends of personal gain or advancement. This fault uncovered, repentance is sharp, and the desire to correct the error sincere. What, then, should be the purpose of the Christian Scientist? The answer to this question is to be found in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. Prayerful daily study of the Bible and the writings of Mrs. Eddy will bring the desired answer and the coveted healing. The light may come quickly, or the healing may require much patient labor.
On page 317 of the volume of her collected writings dedicated to loyal Christian Scientists and entitled "Miscellaneous Writings," Mrs. Eddy speaks of the admirable purpose which wins her approval, thus: "My sympathies are deeply enlisted for the students of students; having already seen in many instances their talents, culture, and singleness of purpose to uplift the race." So our dear Leader outlines the noble purpose with which she is in deep sympathy, namely, the uplifting of the race.
Comparing this ideal, in all honesty, with his perhaps elusive and even nebulous purposes, the student seeks to gain humility, a state of consciousness which he instinctively knows will bless and heal him. Christian Science places humility very high in the scale of experience through which mortals must pass in their growth out of false beliefs. Describing this condition of thought in an article entitled "The Way" (ibid., p. 356) Mrs. Eddy writes: "The second stage of mental development is humility. This virtue triumphs over the flesh; it is the genius of Christian Science. One can never go up, until one has gone down in his own esteem." To the egotistical race of Adam this is bitter medicine, for one finds that the awakening which one is hardly yet conscious of desiring, is not to be for his individual benefit alone, but is to quicken him that he may also help to awaken others and so uplift the race. All true effort is ultimately to this end. Jesus' command, "Go ye into all the world," leaves little doubt that the Christian's goal is never to be confused with merely personal ends.
To mortal sense, this high aim to uplift the race may seem too transcendental. Why not be content to heal one's own sins and false beliefs? Do not one's health, home, and human relations need one's exclusive attention? A subtle argument this! But it may be met with the question, What is the motive when healing one's self, when striving to demonstrate harmony in one's home, business, and human relations?
A once popular hymn has a refrain, "Brighten the corner where you are." Should one follow this counsel only that he may find personal pleasure, Christian Science has little commendation for the effort; for such a one would follow the Christ for the loaves and fishes of selfish enjoyment and advancement. He has not yet glimpsed the joy that accompanies the renunciation of self-seeking. If, however, one is endeavoring to brighten his own corner with the conscious purpose of helping all mankind, the work becomes truly Christian, or Christlike, for it shows forth and bears witness to the light, "the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." Such light accomplishes the Christly healing of sin, sickness, and death, proving that God, good, is never obscured.
To let this light shine before men "that they may see your good works" leads others to seek their own birthright, the light which is their inalienable inheritance, thus brightening dark corners and glorifying our Father in heaven. No healing in Christian Science goes unnoticed; each sends into a not unobservant world its ray of cheering light. When, therefore, a Christian Scientist is at work solving what he has considered a personal problem, if he will but realize that the end in view is the uplifting of the race, then the same singleness of purpose which enlisted our Leader's deep sympathy will become his own undivided purpose. Then he will no longer be harassed by a sense of futility. Each time when, governed by God, he makes God's healing ability evident, he may know that some prodigal, desperately tired of the husks, may note the miracle, so called, and taste a new hope.
Rejoicing that these things are true, the student is also careful to know that there is no influence exerted by a supposititious evil mind to obscure this high end which beckons him forward, or to defeat his noble purpose. Zechariah tells us of seeing "Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord;" and he also saw "Satan standing at his right hand to resist him." Knowing that an illusory adversary of God, good, has no real existence, the Christian Scientist realizes that the burden of this proof rests upon him. Therefore he gratefully ponders his Leader's words, "to defend himself daily against aggressive mental suggestion" (Manual, Art. VIII, Sect. 6). He visions the radiant day when, after earnest striving, spiritual enlightenment shall be universal and man seen no longer as mortal, but fully revealed in the white garments of his true identity, "without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God."
