THE behest of Paul to Timothy, "Do the work of an evangelist," is a call to activity in proving the omnipotence of good on all occasions. The Christian Science evangelist who is a bringer of good tidings must not only talk about the work he has done, should do, or wishes he could do: he can continually do the works and do them more successfully. He can prove the healing power of Christian Science. To this end, however, he must constantly increase his self-forgetful-ness and unselfed love, and must faithfully rise above sadness in order that he may always carry gladness to others. He should also divest himself of any personally preoccupied or labored sense, for this would be a handicap to him in his ministry as a Christian Scientist. One running to help another carry his baggage would not hasten toward him encumbered with packages of his own. He would lay them down, so as to be free to help his burdened brother. One who would free another must be measurably aware of his own freedom from error.
The Christian Scientist should constantly protect himself from all frightening, depressing influences, and from any envy or jealousy which would seem to tarnish the brightness of his understanding or dim the glow of his reflected love. He must not be sorry either for himself or others, for the work of an evangelist is not to pity error, but to destroy it. It is his privilege and duty to express toward the victims of evil beliefs the compassion which heals and the joy which comforts. The Christian Scientist should be flexible, not stereotyped in his presentation of the healing message. Human needs vary, and so does the manner of meeting them in Christian Science. His message must be delivered according to another's capacity to receive it, and it should be uttered in tones which convey calmness, strength, reassurance. "When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up."
On page 254 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy points out that "the human self must be evangelized. This task God demands us to accept lovingly to-day." What does it mean to "accept lovingly to-day" this task of evangelizing the human self? It means that we must face whatever error may be threatening to overcome us promptly, and without resentment or discouragement. We must overcome it by denying the error honestly, steadily, perseveringly, until the light of Truth has dispelled it for us. The task of proving the omnipotence of good is rendered easier and is more speedily successful when it is carried on in the spirit of love and with the steady assurance of victory.
