Consistency and Growth

J. E. FELLERS.

Musicians sometimes take a well-known selection like the "Rock of Ages" and utilize its strong and easily recognized themes, which are enlarged and given new harmonic setting in what are known as variations. It the themes are thus handled in a fitting and masterly way, they lose nothing of their original force and appeal, but take on an added charm from their new tonal treatment and associations. We hear the call of the dear old hymn as before, and we find a new interest and pleasure as we note how it dominates the surging tides of song with which we are surprised to find it surrounded.

To those who have not looked beneath the surface of popular beliefs and learned some of the facts revealed by Christian Science, the earnest attention given to the Lesson-Sermon at our Sunday services seems unusual and strange. "Why such close attention to the Bible reading?" "What do these people hear that we do not hear? "What have they learned that we did not learn years ago in our orthodox church and at home?" are the questions they naturally ask. The words of the Bible are not strange to them. The reading is about the same as they have always heard. The congregational singing is quite familiar. They cannot see that these external things are only the variations. They do not hear amid these variations the Master calling, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." The Christian Scientist, having formerly toiled, suffered, and failed in his efforts to understand the spiritual meaning of the Scriptures, has at length gained the true and satisfying sense of their meaning, as given by Mrs. Eddy in Science and Health. He therefore hears deeper than the multitude, and recognizes the "still, small voice" which speaks through the Lesson-Sermon, and this explains his deep interest which may seem peculiar to those who do not understand these Sermons.

Truth has no message for those who will not hear. Some one has said, "There is no music in the autumn winds until the listener comes. There is no order and beauty in the rolling spheres until some Herschel stands beneath the stars. There is no fragrance in the violet until the lover of flowers bends down above the blossoms."

In different ways Christian Scientists impress others as being a strange people, but it is only because through this Science they have found the deeper things which are hidden "from the wise and prudent." In a world where sadness and sorrow seem so pronounced, Christian Scientists are happy. They have learned that God made all that was made and pronounced it good. For them old things have passed away; all things have become new. Thus they may present to others a seeming inconsistency with their former position because of their growth. They have given up many old beliefs. They are progressing. They are searching for the why and the how.

The man who never changes his opinions, ambitions, and tastes, never grows. He may seem to be consistent because his conception of life, death, heaven, hell, is the same each day. He may believe that there is no more to learn. If he were to admit larger views of life, truth, and love, he would have to acknowledge growth and therefore a change. He would no longer be consistent as many understand that term.

A marble may be said to be consistently round and smooth, and to remain so. Bury it in the earth and it will lie there, smooth and round, never changing except as it crumbles into dust. But take the acorn and bury it in the soil. Soon it begins to swell. The tiny germ breaks its prison walls and grows up into the sunshine. As time passes on a tree gives shade and shelter. At no time was that germ the same, one day as another, even one hour as another. It it had ceased growing for a single day, decay would have been the result. It will thus be seen that consistency has a far different meaning than merely clinging to old beliefs. The true meaning of the word implies growth. It is consistent to grow because "Growth is the eternal mandate of Mind" (Science and Health, p. 520). Growth expresses law and order. It is natural. It is imperative. "Work out your own salvation" is a demand for growth and consistent growing.

Christian Scientists are trying to obey that command. They are consistently striving to learn more each day. If they do not seem consistent to their orthodox friends, it is because the true sense of that word is not understood. A great writer once said, "If I do not keep step with my companions it is because I hear a different drummer."

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Christian Science and the Young Man

December 30, 1905

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