Article February 18, 1905 Issue

The Dignity of Christian Science

EZRA M. BUSWELL

"God is Love," and we draw near to Him in living the life marked out for us by Jesus. He went about doing good. Neither by word nor act did his life express that which was not a credit to his Father. Christian Scientists profess to love him and to follow his example. The love that flowed out from his pure life healed the sick and rebuked sin. His followers, striving to be and do like him, should express much gentleness, patience, and love. Such students are faithful sentinels on the watchtower of noble desire, guarding well their own thoughts. Their love for God is expressed in love for humanity. But this love for their fellow-beings is not the expression of a common type of mortal sense. It is not mere sensual attraction, for this finds neither encouragement nor excuse in Christian Science. A true Christian is above reproach because he is honestly and persistently striving to live up to the Christ standard, seeking to express purity and propriety in thought and in deed.

Those who allow themselves to be drawn into a subtle snare of sin, through undue familiarity between the sexes, soon learn that "the wages of sin is death." Jesus said, "What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." No one so much as the Christian Science practitioner needs to faithfully heed this most important warning. We cannot compromise with an enemy. "Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." This command, given in the Sermon on the Mount, must be carefully obeyed. There is no halfway ground. We must not only shun evil, but the very appearance of it must be avoided. The blush of shame should be felt by every Christian Scientist who withholds his condemnation of the least disregard of the marriage vows.

God blesses every noble, brave seeker after righteousness and purity who stands like a rock to uphold the dignity of the Cause of Christian Science as he is taught in our textbook, Science and Health. Dignity of purpose and purity of thought illumine every page of this book. If we listen to its teachings, and obey them, it is well. James said, "When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." Christian Science teaches that we can, and must, overcome all error. We never repent for having resisted evil, but to yield to its subtle suggestions cuts deep wounds, and the ointment of extenuation does not heal. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High" is sheltered from temptation and from sin. It is our Father's good pleasure to give us the kingdom. James says also, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." God gives to man the moral right and the ability to do right, and there is no freedom apart from that doing.

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