Editorial July 30, 1932 Issue

Activity and Achievement

W. Stuart Booth

Mrs. Eddy has stated repeatedly that the Bible was her sole guide in the straight and narrow way to her discovery of divine Science. Her writings indicate that she gained great inspiration and spiritual enlightenment from the Scriptural records of Christ Jesus' teachings and the accounts of the healings whereby he proved the divine authority of his doctrine. In fact, the personal healing experienced by Mrs. Eddy, which led to her wonderful spiritual discovery, resulted from the spiritual illumination of her thought as she read and pondered the story found in the ninth chapter of Matthew of the healing by Christ Jesus of a palsied man. Therefore, students of Christian Science will do well to study thoroughly the words of the Master, Christ Jesus, and consider carefully his methods of dealing with thought-conditions in his healing work.

One point that is borne in upon us in this connection is that Christ Jesus frequently demanded some active coöperation from those who appealed to him for healing. The ten lepers were instructed to go and show themselves to the priests in compliance with rabbinical law; and "as they went, they were cleansed." The man with a withered hand was commanded to stretch it forth; and as he obeyed "it was restored whole, like as the other." Since Christ Jesus is our Way-shower, we shall profit by following his example in this as in all other points in our Christian Science practice. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 22) Mrs. Eddy gives definite counsel in these words: "Waking to Christ's demand, mortals experience suffering. This causes them, even as drowning men, to make vigorous efforts to save themselves; and through Christ's precious love these efforts are crowned with success."

"Vigorous efforts"—what strong words! And yet they should characterize the mental attitude and activity of all Christian Scientists. Vigor, regarded in the light of Christian Science, is expressive of Life, God; and when thus identified with divine Mind one's "vigorous efforts" are motivated not by fear of matter and evil, but by divine Love. There is nothing vacillating or weak about this true sense of vigorous activity; rather does it bespeak grateful and confident expectancy of God-bestowed blessings. On the same page of Science and Health our Leader heartens us further. She writes: "If your endeavors are beset by fearful odds, and you receive no present reward, go not back to error, nor become a sluggard in the race. When the smoke of battle clears away, you will discern the good you have done, and receive according to your deserving."

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