Article February 11, 1911 Issue

THE ONE AIM

CLARA A. COWLING.

Some time ago the writer was most grateful for a quickened sense of duty which came to her during a conversation with a dear helpful friend. Seeming to have had much to overcome and to struggle with in the past, the remark was made that but for the thought of loved ones who needed her, the struggle could not have been endured. Then came the quiet answer, "But it is our duty to reflect God, and to overcome all which is unlike Him." Nothing more was said, but since then thought has been filled with a much higher sense of duty, a fuller concept of what life really ought to be, and must be if we wish to grow into the likeness of the one "altogether lovely."

Human desires, affections, and aims, however unselfish they may be, are not sufficient; and Mrs. Eddy truly tells us that "not mere personal attachment should impel the motives or acts of the Christian Scientist" (Manual, p. 40). Our aim must be higher. We must know and understand that it is our privilege, our highest duty, our birthright, to manifest the Christ, our life-work to reflect God, to know without doubt or question that the one thing which we desire is to "dwell in the house of the Lord for ever," and to "enquire in his temple." If we have this uplifted ideal it will make us do our duty more lovingly than ever before, more faithfully, more patiently. In whatever position we may be placed, our light will "shine," we shall be truer friends, better citizens, kinder and more loving in our family relations; if we are employers we shall give better service; if servants, our work will be done to the glory of God, and not merely to win human love or approval; and each simple task will gain an added glory if brought into line with this uplifted ideal.

In Science and Health (p. 265), we read that it is imperative that our "affections and aims grow spiritual," we "must near the broader interpretations of being." If our motive is to win the "well done" of our Father, we cannot then fail to do our duty to our fellow-men; and as we follow this desire to be about our Father's business, we shall find that the painful struggles will cease, our heavy burdens will drop away, and we shall daily prove that His yoke is easy and His burden light.

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