"This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: there was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man."
This simple narrative, related in the ninth chapter of Ecclesiastes, has profound significance to the student of Christian Science. While the incident may have referred to a specific event in human history, yet, like so many other Bible records, it has a higher, spiritual meaning. The little city may be regarded as standing for the good in human consciousness that seems so relentlessly besieged by the arrogant, aggressive claims of evil.
The great king whose threatening hosts appeared certain of conquering the resisting few within the little city may symbolize mortal mind, or animal magnetism, whose beliefs of hatred, tyranny, and materialism are pictured as a powerful legion capable of swallowing up the forces of righteousness. But we are told that there was found in the "little city ... a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man."
Thus does the eternal, ever-present Christ in gentleness and quietness, without personal aggrandizement or the fanfare of publicity, come to human consciousness and empower it with wisdom. Mortal mind, trusting in its self-evolved beliefs of material force, physical prowess, and human ways and means, is not apt to recognize the effectiveness and sureness of spiritual power. And mortals, relying upon human will power, strategy, and diplomacy, may not discern the workings of the all-powerful, all-governing divine Mind, but these are evident to those who are seeking and knowing that divine Truth meets the human need. Lack of appreciation neither hinders nor stops the operation of divine law.
Many Christian Scientists the world over have taken the role of the "poor wise man" and known the truth in the face of aggressive phases of error. Such application of divine law to any manifestation of error, even if it be outside of one's immediate experience, is not only a duty, but a protection to the individual. And on many occasions the thoroughness and devotedness of this prayerful work have resulted in a positive healing to others. Such is the adequacy of the impersonal Christ, Truth, in its silent ministrations.
Many are the threatening epidemics, direful accidents, or widespread storms of misfortune and evil which have been dissipated by patient, wholehearted affirmations on the part of consecrated Christian Scientists of the allness of God and the consequent nothingness of error.
Just as the little city was saved by "a poor wise man," so the world can be spared much misery and enslavement by the humble, unselfed worker who in the sacred sanctuary of divine Truth and Love is trustingly denying error and affirming the truth of God's goodness, allness, and power. A familiar passage on page 367 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" shows the importance which its author, Mary Baker Eddy, places upon the practice of working —praying—for the welfare of mankind: "The infinite Truth of the Christ-cure has come to this age through a 'still, small voice,' through silent utterances and divine anointing which quicken and increase the beneficial effects of Christianity. I long to see the consummation of my hope, namely, the student's higher attainments in this line of light."
The alert student of Christian Science does not wait for sudden emergencies, such as accidents or calamities, for an occasion to handle the beliefs that would besiege the little city of human consciousness. Daily and hourly he denies reality to the pseudo king—mortal mind claiming to act through suggestions of greed or selfish interests, commercialism, lust for power and prestige which assail human consciousness. Today's propaganda, one minute subtle, the next aggressive, would tempt human thought by appealing to the physical senses. Verily if "the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing" (Eccl. 1:8), it is not the fault of mortal mind's besieging hosts of fraudulent advertising and publicity. The widespread influence of aggressive mental suggestion in these forms has in large measure contributed to the increase of certain enslaving habits and sinful indulgences.
There is great need today for more of that type of unselfed right thinking which characterized the "poor wise man" who "delivered the city." The study and practice of Christian Science bestow the priceless blessing of spiritual understanding. This understanding enables one to go on his daily round with peace, joy, and clarity of thought, bringing healing to confusion and discord. A consciousness enlivened by the graces of Truth and Love, and empowered by the spiritual forces of divine intelligence and understanding, is a great healing influence. Impersonal and impartial, radiating the spontaneity of divine ideas, the Christ, Truth, clears the mental atmosphere and frees it from fear and enslavement. Love for God and for His Christ inspires all holy work and is its own blessing.
Work for the good of mankind fulfills in part our responsibility as outlined by our Leader for all members of The Mother Church (Manual, Art. VIII, Sect. 6), "It shall be the duty of every member of this Church to defend himself daily against aggressive mental suggestion, and not be made to forget nor to neglect his duty to God, to his Leader, and to mankind." This duty is neither laborious nor wearisome. It consists of ridding one's thought of error by clinging steadfastly to the spiritual counterfact. Such mental work is not formalized into a monotonous routine, but rather unfolds in interest, spontaneity, and joy as we listen for the "still small voice" of Truth and hear it speak to us.
There is no direction in which prayer for mankind can be limited; it is applicable to all phases of human activity. Its effects are impartial, wholly beneficial to all. Although Truth destroys error, it harms no one. When error is properly impersonated, seen as a false belief, error is destroyed and mankind is blessed.
Should it appear uncertain just how spiritual understanding operates to annihilate error, a passage on page 484 of Science and Health makes it plain: "The physical universe expresses the conscious and unconscious thoughts of mortals. Physical force and mortal mind are one." Thus the world's error, which appears as overwhelming material conditions, is but the effect of wrong thinking. The aggressive physical forces which seem to dominate mankind in different ways and at different times are largely phases of human will. When the specific truth that reverses and denies the particular belief in evil from which one is suffering is discerned, healing results. It is helpful to remember that error has no means of opposing the spiritual forces of divine Truth. Error disappears before the truth, correctly applied. As Joshua puts it (23:10), "One man of you shall chase a thousand." Discernment of the wholly spiritual nature of man repudiates the material concept and demonstrates Truth. The silent force of spiritual truth applied scientifically and trustingly is unlimited, unbounded, unopposable.
"Yet no man remembered that same poor man." Should the humble, spiritually minded worker desire human praise or publicity? No, for that which saved the little city was not the person, but the wisdom of the Christ, bestowed by divine Love. So it must be that the righteous thinker, motivated solely by love for God and man, is content to see mankind blessed and uplifted. And by that very unselfed quality of meekness more works will be done. Humility, grace, holiness, and divine Science—the impersonal healing forces of divine Mind—protect and sustain the faithful witness of Truth, and this is his joyful reward.
