"God requires our whole heart, and He supplies within the wide channels of The Mother Church dutiful and sufficient occupation for all its members" (Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy, Art. VIII, Sect. 15). When I first read this By-Law given to us by our inspired Leader, I felt the power of its promise. As a new student of Christian Science, I was striving to lay off the old man and put on the new, as the Bible and Christian Science instruct us to do.
Soon I joined The Mother Church and a branch church. My first work "within the wide channels" was serving the latter on committees. During this time I faithfully studied and pondered the Bible Lesson in the Christian Science Quarterly and read and reread Mrs. Eddy's writings. To the best of my understanding I strove to follow the example of our Way-shower, Christ Jesus, and to be obedient to the teachings of Science.
The opportunity soon came for me to help Christian Scientists who needed temporary assistance in their homes. Eventually this led to my taking nurses training at a Christian Science Nurses Training School. At that time and later in my work as a Christian Science nurse, I faced many challenges that brought me considerable progress in spiritual understanding.
I am grateful that these challenges were not physical problems, with the exception of having to overcome fatigue, but were exercises in learning to see my fellowmen as they really are—the perfect children of God. As I sought to master fatigue, it was most helpful to think of my nursing as a metaphysical rather than a physical activity. I was not simply a worker in white caring for others' physical needs. I was serving the healing ministry of Christian Science—supporting and promoting the saving power of Christ, Truth. I reviewed Mrs. Eddy's statement (Science and Health, p. 79): "Mind-science teaches that mortals need 'not be weary in well doing.' It dissipates fatigue in doing good." And there were other useful references on eliminating fatigue. Soon I was able to work long hours without discomfort.
Discerning the true nature of those I encountered as being wholly spiritual proved especially demanding. But I persisted in correcting my thought through spiritual enlightenment until I was able to apply the precepts of Science more consistently. I regularly followed this advice of Mrs. Eddy's (Retrospection and Introspection, p. 76): "He who gains the God-crowned summit of Christian Science never abuses the corporeal personality, but uplifts it. He thinks of every one in his real quality, and sees each mortal in an impersonal depict."
At one point a co-worker, who had always been friendly, suddenly turned on me hatefully. The attack seemed to come for no apparent reason. When I asked her for an explanation, she refused to reply. I prayed about this and made a strong effort to realize that evil is not personal. It is a baseless lie that has never been a part of God's man. I also insisted that mortal belief could not divide the workers through envy, jealousy, or hatred. I recalled the statement just quoted and tried to view this individual's "real quality"—as expressing the goodness of our Father-Mother God. Continuing to pray along these lines, I found peace, and soon the situation was entirely resolved.
Each event has increased my love for this Science and aided me in practicing it more effectively. How grateful I am that "God requires our whole heart," and that He furnishes us with rich opportunities for service in His vineyard.
Willoughby Ohio
