Article November 28, 1903 Issue

Self-abnegation vs. Self-gratification

GEORGE S. HOLLOWAY.

The work to be accomplished is within our own consciousness, for therein lies the danger, whether it be to the organization or the individual. The overcoming of our personality, or mortal self, and the recognition of our individuality, or spiritual self, demands our constant and earnest efforts.

Every suggestion to sin has underlying it, in some form or degree, the subtle desire for personal self-gratification. It is the foundation-stone upon which error seeks to rear its structure,—without it there would not be even a seeming pathway toward its deceptive goal. Consider the commandments; would any one be tempted to cease to honor father or mother if there were no consideration of selfish motives? What possible incentive could prompt one to commit adultery, steal, kill, bear false witness, or be covetous, without the suggestion of ultimate self-gratification, through some of the myraid forms of erroneous belief? It is a relentless task-master, and the effort to satisfy the material sense is fruitless. There is always an unsatisfied hungering and reaching beyond for that which is never realized.

Paul said, "Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." This prize he recognized as self-abnegation, for again he said, "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." "Self-abnegation—by which we lay down all for Truth, or Christ, in our warfare against error—is a rule in Christian Science" (Science and Health, p. 568).

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