MOST of the men or women who have accomplished much in any era have had enthusiasm. They have had intense interest in what they were doing. They have not allowed themselves to become apathetic or indifferent. Probably, the saying of the boy Jesus, which his parents did not understand and which has been construed in many ways, "I must be about my Father's business" (Luke 2:49), denoted enthusiasm for what he had discerned as his mission or work. There were long years during which the beginning and the continuance of Christian Science, as a movement in the present time, depended on Mrs. Eddy's enthusiasm for her mission. Likewise, the immediate future of this movement depends largely on the keen interest for its success to be evinced by Christian Scientists.
Naturally, any enthusiasm, to last well, must have a lasting motive. So, also, an enthusiasm is most likely to be sustained when its motives are both affirmative and large—are both positive and productive of broadly desirable results. To an extent, devotion or piety may be impelled by fear; it may be urged by nothing better than belief in evil or hell. Of course, such a motive is a poor one; it produces narrow and questionable results, even when it can be credited with devotion to a form of worship.
Ardor for Christian Science is different; it is based on dependable motives. It is impelled by such reasons as appreciation of spiritual Truth, desire to be pure and wholesome, discernment of the factors which contribute to human welfare, gratitude for benefits received, hope to bring good into the experience of other people, love for God or divine good, and keen desire that divine Principle may direct and govern the lives of more and more people until no contrary influence is felt or seen.
In effect, the Master taught that love for God and neighbor is the best of all motives. (See Matthew 22:36-40.) This motive, then, when it applies, is the best of all reasons for enthusiasm; and it applies completely to Christian Science. This Science, as Mrs. Eddy has defined it, is "the law of God, the law of good, interpreting and demonstrating the divine Principle and rule of universal harmony" (Rudimental Divine Science, p. 1). This religion, therefore, is the direct means of giving the best service to God and of getting the maximum results for mankind. What Christian Science is and what it impels is the most effective expression of love for God and neighbor.
The great Teacher also foretold that the love of many nominal Christians would fail, and he gave the reason. He said, "Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matthew 24:12)'. This diagnosis is valid to-day. One whose enthusiasm for Christian Science has cooled is one who has allowed iniquity of some sort to prevail in his thought. One who has become lukewarm toward this Science must have accepted detractions instead of facts, or he must have allowed his love for God and for mankind to be dissipated by adverse motives. Whatever the actual explanation may be, such a person has an urgent need to exercise the God-given ability to know himself and to eliminate error. Our Leader has said, "Know thyself, and God will supply the wisdom and the occasion for a victory over evil" (Pulpit and Press, p. 15). See also "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" 233:19.
Since there is no good reason for apathy or indifference, the excuses for these mental states are many and various. As Mrs. Eddy has indicated, on page 8 of her Message to The Mother Church for 1900, all of them are phases of animality or materiality, but often they are not recognized as such, and in nearly all cases a more specific finding is possible and would be helpful. Perhaps the most common and plausible reason for lack of devotion to Christian Science is excessive devotion to other interests. Many Christian Scientists have other interests which are entirely proper. Giving to them the attention which they deserve is quite right. When error enters into such a case, it consists of excessive devotion to a duty or interest which detracts from one's reasonable and rightful service to God and men by means of Christian Science. Such a case, therefore, calls for knowledge of self (ability to test one's own thoughts), and for the true sense of values.
The importance of attending church services is apt to be correctly estimated by enthusiasm, but never is by apathy or indifference. Furthermore, those who neglect this mode of evincing interest and love should not find excuses in the distractions of modern life, for the epistle to the Hebrews (10:25) shows that this form of neglect—this failure to confess Christ before men (Matthew 10:32, 33)—began long before there were motor cars, motion pictures, or radio receivers. Of course, our use of radio transmission for our church services is intended to enlarge our audiences; it is intended to reach additional persons, to serve people who cannot assemble, and to preach the Christian Science gospel to those who have not yet learned the importance of going to church services.
