Editorial March 25, 1905 Issue

Intelligent Obedience

Annie M. Knott

As new rules are given by our Leader, from time to time, it is important that we clearly comprehend their intent. It is certain that every new rule demands a forward step and added understanding, without which no true advance can be made. A simple, but far-reaching rule of conduct was given by Christ Jesus, when he said, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God:" and when this is applied in humility and sincerity it brings wonderful illumination. When the paramount desire is to be better and to do better, we are shown how, by divine intelligence which is never mistaken.

In the work of the Sunday School this divine guidance is especially needed, for no phase of human endeavor is more beset with varying and contradictory opinions than is that which embraces the education of the young. There are few who deny that a religious education is good, if it be of the right sort, and nearly all are ready to admit that childhood and youth would be greatly blessed if the Christ teachings in their purity could be early imparted, and made the basis of character. That this result is not generally attained, however, is shown in the present worldliness of many, or their admitted indifference to spiritual things, and also in the prevailing ignorance of Christ's teachings, so far as their demonstration is concerned. Now the rule which defines the teaching in the Christian Science Sunday School undoubtedly aims to exclude personal opinion, so far as possible, and in substitution therefor it points both teacher and scholar to divine Principle as the true interpreter of the Lessons. In many instances even little children will be found expressing a sense of Deity which is wholly inconsistent with Christian Science, as in the case of little girl who asked if it would not be right to tell a lie in order to save some one's life, and if God would not forgive this lie. The child had only begun to know about Christian Science, and it was easy to show her, from the Lesson, that God is not limited in His power to deliver, but has numberless ways whereby to save all who seek His aid, and that these ways are always good and true. The teacher needs to guard his own thought against "the old leaven" which may linger, all unsuspectedly, in consciousness, and which would attribute to God human qualities that do not express infinite goodness.

It is the unspeakable privilege of the Christian Science teacher to bring the child up to the temple of Truth, even as Hannah brought the little Samuel, with prayer and thanksgiving, to leave him there alone with God. When the human sense of personality is withdrawn, the Divine voice will be heard; the children thus taught will minister in purity and power, and like Samuel and Jesus, they will grow "in favor with God and man." In order to secure obedience from the children, the teachers also must obey intelligently and undeviatingly the rules laid down for their guidance; neither adding to the requirements nor taking therefrom; and if they expect studiousness on the part of the children, they themselves must cheerfully devote time and attention to the sacred task of studying the Lessons.

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