Article June 11, 1904 Issue

Vacation Thoughts

S. F. S.

WHEN last I went away on a vacation there was a great sense of freedom, for I determined to leave every care or responsibility behind and have a complete change. On attending the church services the thought came, how beautiful it was to have nothing to do but enjoy the LessonSermon, with no responsibility in regard to anything. Then the habit of examining my thought made me question this one, and I found just what each member of a Christian Science congregation can do to help the Cause at each service. I knew that the great truth which the Lesson-Sermon contains must be so spiritually understood and grasped by each, that he may aid in the united demonstration of that truth which would thus go forth with power to overcome sickness, sin, and death in all lands in which this Gospel is proclaimed. I saw that no one could be careless or inattentive without marring that demonstration, and without himself losing the help and healing which the lesson brings. I knew that no weariness accompanied this carefully guarded thought, because, as our text-book says, "The highest and sweetest rest, even from a human standpoint, is in holy work" (Science and Health, p. 520).

I found many in which to proclaim the glad tidings, and saw, more than ever before, that there is but one business for a Christian Scientist, even as Jesus said, "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" So we, to whom the understanding of Truth has been given in Christian Science, must be about our Father's business, no matter what we do or where we go. Thus, instead of having rest or recreation, my trip was turned into a sort of missionary tour, which gave an opportunity to reach and help some who seemed to be yet a great way off from heaven or harmony, besides giving me a more practical understanding of our Leader's words in the new Manual, p. 46: "A Christian Scientist is not fatigued by prayer, by reading the Scriptures or the Christian Science text-book. Amusement, or idleness, is weariness. Truth and Love rest the weary and heavy laden."

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