WHEN error knocks at the portals of thought, seeking entrance in the form of sickness, sorrow, discouragement, or lack, Christian Scientists are sometimes tempted to relinquish their church duties and activities, and yield to the argument that they had better remain inactive for a while, thereby allowing themselves a better opportunity to overcome the error. In the background of this reasoning there often lurks the unexpressed belief that they are the objects of wrong thinking, generally referred to as mental malpractice, supposedly directed toward them by others; and this is believed to be the cause of the difficulty, which a season of inactivity or detachment from church work might serve to quiet and correct.
Serving the Cause of Christian Science is giving. It is giving of one's faithful effort for the uplifting and regeneration of mankind. To serve God requires consecration to all that is good. Running contrariwise to this blessed giving by spiritual reflection there seems to be a tendency of mortal mind toward yielding to the suggestions that would separate Christian Scientists from church activity. The question, then, that frequently confronts workers is, Are we going to give of the good we have demonstrated, or are we going to yield to error's suggestion of withholding?
Opposition to right activity is oftentimes subtle, not coming out into the open. It may seem to thread its way into one's consciousness by degrees, and one of its favorite entrances is through the side door of postponing activity or bringing about its temporary cessation. The suggestion on that one who is doing diligent service should stop it completely and permanently would probably be recognized as the suggestion of evil; but modified into the more plausible temptation to stop temporarily, as the result of some condition, may sound attractive to one under the mesmerism of mental apathy. Those who press on in the face of adversity, serving even when it means the sacrificing of personal preference, pleasure, or profit, know how to expel the arguments of error, and they give to the utmost of their service and substance. Such giving, reflecting God, brings its reward in a better sense of health, peace, harmony, joy, and progress.
