Learning from Christ

In the development of every human being, diving comes first, then learning. These processes are at first unconscious, simple, natural, but there soon come what is regarded as the inevitable struggle to live and learn.

It cannot be denied that the chief end of general education is to provide means whereby the body may be fed, clothed, housed, and adorned. As this endeavor involves ceaseless toil and much disappointment, it has also seemed necessary to educate thought in such ways as might serve to entertain and enliven the human mind, so as to make the long, hard struggle more endurable.

To the unthinking this may seem an unnecessarily dark picture, but others have seen these conditions, and Longfellow says,—

Let our unceasing, earnest prayer
Be, too, for light, for strength to bear
Our portion of the load of care
That crushes into dumb despair
One half the human race.
The Goblet of Life.

In institutions of learning the greater number are concerned with the burdens which they expect to carry when their studies are completed, and many leave their Alma Mater almost worn out with their effort to gain knowledge. When the school days are over this educational work still goes on in the effort to carry out on broader lines that which was begun in youth, but how few there are who would be able to tell what is the goal of all this learning, striving, and getting.

A great thinker has said that "life is the finest of the Fine Arts; that it has to be learned with lifelong patience." The world's great Teacher said when on trial before Pilate, "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth," and his entire life as recorded in the gospels, especially his mighty deeds in the overcoming of sin, disease, and death, proved the truth of his statement.

And what a teacher was this, who thus proved the verity of his doctrine "not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." At the tomb of Lazarus it would have been vain to call upon the Roman legions who had slain their thousands, as vain to appeal to the high priest in his robes, or to Cæsar in his purple, for none of these had the knowledge that was needed to save from death, but he who could and who did "save unto the uttermost," he who had been taught of God, said, "Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart," and again he said, "Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me."

Our revered Leader heard the call of Life at the very portal of death, and as Jesus declared, she came to the Christ, and learned how the sick and sinful were restored in the olden time, and how we too may be taught of Christ, not through material means, but through Science which is revealing to-day the power and glory of infinite Love. Unless we are learning of Christ, of Truth, we have started with a false premise, and the result of this fundamental error will soon be apparent in that mental and physical exhaustion which is the bane of so many students and thinkers.

He to whom the truth of being is known, is daily learning more of Life, of Mind, of the power of divine Love which alone makes life truly worth living. Our text-book says, "Any student who adheres to the divine rules of Christian Science, and imbibes the spirit of Christ, can demonstrate Christian Science, cast out error, heal the sick, and add continually to his store of spiritual understanding, potency, enlightenment, and success" (Science and Health, p. 462).

In learning truth we must unlearn error,—the beliefs which were so assiduously pursued in the days of our ignorance of God. The Christ says evermore, "My reward is with me." We find this reward in new strength which enables us to go out into hitherto unknown paths and to find therein healing, moral purification, and mental unfoldment. At every stage burdens are dropped and spiritual gains registered as we press toward the final goal,—the understanding of the Mind which knows all reality,—which is All,—the Mind "Which was also in Christ Jesus.

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