Article February 25, 1905 Issue

Unfoldment

FLORA BELLE JOHNSON.

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you." At a time of great need, the meaning of this verse dawned upon my consciousness with a radiance born of Truth and Love. As a child groping for light, while in the darkness of mortal belief, I would ask, when told to "Be good," "But how?" I do not remember that the question was ever answered. When I learned in Christian Science that it is not right to touch another's thought unless help is sought, I spent the first year or two in the endeavor not to trespass upon others' rights, but to attend strictly to my own demonstration and accord to others the liberty I claimed for myself; and yet many times I would find myself accusing, condemning, or criticising some one, almost unconsciously. I would then bring thought up instantly to the judgment-seat, and groan at the perversity of mortal mind, at war with the purposes of good.

Now, with the treasures of Truth contained in the Bible unlocked through Science and Health, the way grows clearer and brighter unto the perfect day when we stand "face to face," see "eye to eye," and know that error is no part of our brother. The old belief of criticism was a strong man to be despoiled, for I found I was beset by it on every side, until one day, while studying the lesson with a teacher's Bible, in looking up the references given in the margin, I opened to the text, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you," and my problem of "how" was solved. The application of this text to my need was evident, and joy took the place of uncertainty. Thereafter, whenever I found myself thinking of another, who might perhaps seem to be lingering along the highway of truth, or manifesting some error, instead of a critical thought I now sent out a glad note of joy, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you." Then I found in the margin that "remembrance" meant also "mention," and the helpful thought expanded. Whenever another's name was mentioned, the audible or mental word went forth again, I thank my God upon every mention of you. Paul himself speaks of the joy of this method of procedure when he gives thanks for the "fellowship" of those in the faith.

To our Master we owe many beautiful lessons drawn from nature, that of the lilies being especially potent, "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow." How simple and how wonderful is its deep meaning! We love to watch the flowers as they open their petals and send forth their sweet fragrance, but we do not find fault with the buds because they do not open as soon as we would like. We wait with patience, knowing that when the "fulness of time" comes for them, we shall see perfect and beautiful blossoms. A half-blown rose is one of the most beautiful objects in the floral world, but a lily-bud is plain and unattractive; yet, when its waxy petals are freed, its exquisite purity and fragrance are unsurpassed. So we too may await the day of perfect unfoldment; and this brings us to the sixth verse of the same chapter, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

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