Editorial November 21, 1959 Issue

GREATNESS IS GOODNESS

Helen Wood Bauman

Of the disciples of Christ Jesus, Luke wrote (9:46), "There arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest." The record tells that Jesus perceived their thoughts, and he "took a child, and set him by him, and said unto them. Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great."

The disciples evidently did not learn their lesson, so ingrained in human nature is the pride of position, for Luke tells us that later, even at the last supper, "there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest" (22:24). At this time the Master made it plain that serving makes for greatness, that those who "continued" with him would eat and drink with him in the Christly kingdom.

Ruthless competition, the conceit of personal ambition, robs mankind of the riches of Spirit, which the Father gives impartially to all. Christian Science, by revealing this affluence of true substance, takes away the basis of egotistical competition and inspires human beings to bless each other through love and generosity. In her Message to The Mother Church for 1902, Mary Baker Eddy says (p. 4): "Competition in commerce, deceit in councils, dishonor in nations, dishonesty in trusts, begin with 'Who shall be greatest?" I again repeat, Follow your Leader, only so far as she follows Christ."

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