"Work out your own Salvation"

BY EVA J. COX.

IT has often been said, and truly, that every statement of Truth made, either through our publications or at the testimonial meetings, is sure to appeal to some one in some way.

A speaker in one of the meetings at the Mother Church made the statement that a student of music does not study musicians but the principle of music, a student of art does not study artists but the principle of art, and a student of Christian Science does not study Christian Scientists but the Principle of Christianity.

Thus it is that only as we cease to rely upon human theories and doctrines, cease to look for aid from any other source than the true source of all Being—God— cease to measure and compare human capabilities, and with earnest hearts seek to gain an understanding of that Principle which enables us to "act as possessing all power from Him in whom we have our Being" (Science and Health, P. 160), are we able to prove for ourselves that a right understanding of God, the divine Principle, restores harmony where our ignorance of Him has produced seeming discord.

Mrs. Eddy says in "Unity of Good," P. 6: "Every one should be encouraged not to accept any personal opinion on so great a matter, but to seek the divinity of this question of Truth, by following upward individual convictions, undisturbed by the frightened sense of any need of attempting to solve every life-problem in a day." Also, in Science and Health, P. 66, "Nothing is able to do so much for man as he can do for himself, with omnipotent aid."

We cannot work out another's salvation, but we can ever retain within our own consciousness the perfect ideal, and with patient, self-sacrificing love strive so to live as to awaken others to a realization of the joyous privilege which is theirs of working out their own salvation in the way that Jesus taught.

A thought in this direction came to me while passing in a steam train through a congested district in the outskirts of one of our large cities one dark winter evening. As I sat watching the lights shining brightly along the narrow streets I thought how, standing erect in their allotted place in that humble locality, they were guiding the wayfarers and illuminating the pathway to their homes; and as there is a lesson to be learned from all things which come under our observation, so there seemed to me to be a lesson shining forth from those rows of street lights.

We cannot all, like the sun, illumine the whole world, but if in our allotted place we keep our lamps so trimmed that the light of Truth and Love may shine forth in our daily daily lives, we can brighten the pathway of those whose lives mingle with ours, and help them to reach the heavenly home of our Father and Mother God, the portals of which are ever open to all, and wherein reigns harmony, peace, and Love.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit