WHEREVER one travels, even through beautiful and cultivated districts, one invariably finds here and there plots of what is termed "waste ground"; and, though one of the dictionary definitions for this type of land is unproductive soil, the fact remains that it usually brings forth one product, namely, weeds. This ground, by reason of its not being usefully employed, harbors the debris that reaches it, and common weeds, such as nettles and thistles, often flourish there in abundance.
Human consciousness, unenlightened by the teachings of Christian Science, may be said to include plots of waste ground. Mortal mind, so called, offers to it for acceptance the seeds of sickness, sin, poverty—discord of every kind. These it sometimes accepts, allowing them to establish themselves in thought and to find nourishment in their constant contemplation, inspection, and discussion. In this way these destructive weeds flourish apace; and when at length an individual turns to Truth, seeking freedom from these errors of belief, he may find that much mental work has to be done before his consciousness can be cleared of them. Sometimes the task may even seem difficult and distressing; but this should not discourage the earnest seeker for Truth, because the rules for the demonstration of health and harmony are plainly set forth in the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy; and the student who obeys these rules cannot possibly fail to succeed. What is needed for rapid progress is an accurate, positive state of consciousness.
Suppose one clears a plot of waste ground of all weeds and encumbrances in order to cultivate it, and then delays taking the next step, the work of filling the empty space with seeds which will bear fruit in beauty and harmony. What then happens? In an incredibly short time a fresh growth of weeds appears, and the whole ground must be gone over again. It is a fact that this land, though not properly and usefully employed, cannot be passive. If it is not producing beauty and fruitfulness, it must perforce produce weeds. So is it with human consciousness. Whether we will or not, we are being active in one direction or another; and if thought is not actively employed spiritually, it is assuredly being active materially, and will bring forth its crop of error in some form or other.
That there is no such condition of consciousness as passivity Christ Jesus plainly indicated when he said, "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." Mrs. Eddy was fully alive to this; for though she urged her followers to deny error, to root it up and cast it out, she also emphasized the necessity for the affirmation of Truth. In fact, her writings are one stupendous affirmation of the omnipresence and omnipotence of God.
On page 210 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" Mrs. Eddy has written: "Beloved Christian Scientists, keep your minds so filled with Truth and Love, that sin, disease, and death cannot enter them. It is plain that nothing can be added to the mind already full. There is no door through which evil can enter, and no space for evil to fill in a mind filled with goodness." These words are familiar to most students of Christian Science; but do we truly realize their tremendous importance? As we obey the injunction here set forth, there will eventually be no error to deny; for we shall lose all consciousness of error, and therefore to us it will not exist even as false belief.
How may this happy state of consciousness be brought about? For thought to be filled with Truth and Love and goodness, it is necessary for one not only to know about God but to know Him, to know Him intimately as Truth, and Love, as infinite Mind. Should one desire to have something which hangs upon a high peg, one would not expect it to come down to him, but he would naturally reach up for it. So must one reach up and out in thought to infinite Mind, and grasp those spiritual ideas that are forever flowing forth from God and expressed through His beloved image, man. Goodness, purity, holiness, health— all are free for each one to take and use. As Mrs. Eddy puts it, on page 370 of Science and Health, we must "turn from the lie of false belief to Truth, and gather the facts of being from the divine Mind." Just as one turns his gaze without effort to look upon the object he desires to see, so must one turn thought to look abidingly upon God, seeing Him as All-in-all. Whatever one's work may be, in whatever conditions one's daily life may be lived, one must hold thought to the fact that God fills that very place, and that man, as His spiritual idea, reflects the omnipotent, omnipresent Mind.
Mortal mind, so called, is continually suggesting that we shall think along material lines; but we are all free to think aright, and mortal mind cannot force us to accept material beliefs. We can lose our false sense of self, our sense of a material selfhood, in contemplating God. Why not interest ourselves more and more in good and its operations? Surely this is what our Leader meant when she bade her followers have their minds filled with Truth and Love and goodness. If this seems to take much persistent effort, the glorious fact remains that with God's help it can be done. If we but press bravely on, the prompt rejection of error and the joyful acceptance of good can become a mental habit; and it is this positive state of consciousness which will bear the fruits of health and harmony.
Upon waste ground one seldom finds garden flowers flourishing. Indeed, if seeds from cultivated plants should be dropped there they might not propagate, for their natural demand is for finer, richer soil. So is it with the one who comes to Christian Science for aid. However greatly beset by false belief as to the reality of error, he must prepare the good mental soil in order that the seed of Truth may bear fruit. Christ Jesus declared that it was the good ground only which would bring forth abundantly; and if one seeks Truth for the loaves and fishes, with selfish motives and a desire only for ease in matter, one cannot expect to demonstrate the right sense of health and harmony. There must be the good soil of humility, sincere desire for and love of Truth for Truth's sake, teachableness, and childlike faith. This attitude of thought, directed by positive, affirmative, unremitting holding to God, will indeed bring forth fruit a hundredfold.
