Article October 27, 1906 Issue

WATCHFULNESS

JOHN E. FELLERS.

Who and what is this composite individuality we call mortal man? In belief he expresses blending parts—something of each and every other person he has met. Committing a poem to memory, it becomes a part of one's general education, but it is only a single composition caught from the realm of rhyme, verse, and song. It may be committed to memory by thousands, and its letter and spirit enrich them all, but it still remains to be learned by other thousands,—and this may be said of all that was ever written, or spoken, or sung. Into each individual consciousness there fall new ideas every day, and they each become a part of the individual, who expresses to others something of each person he has met or that which he has learned, though retaining still that something which he gives. Contemplating this fact, we cannot escape the responsibility which rests alike upon all, of standing guard over our thought, of admitting and reflecting only the purest and the best.

But responsibility implies obligation; obligation demands demonstration, and demonstration requires understanding. This requirement betokens a supply and the supply denotes a source. Christian Scientists have learned that God is the source from which all good comes. Throughout the ages thinking people have believed, in a general way, that God is the infinite source of supply, but until Mrs. Eddy, through Science and Health, pointed the way, humanity did not understand how to reach that source. To believe a great truth is good; to know that truth is better; to demonstrate that truth is best. To believe that we should guard our thoughts is good; to know how to guard them is well, but to actually guard our thoughts is best of all. Surely, Watch! is the one admonition which, more than any other, insistently and persistently throbs through every page of our text-book.

Some months ago, after a day of suffering caused by a mistake I had made in an unguarded moment, I took up Science and Health and began to read my favorite chapter—"Atonement and Eucharist." From almost every page the author seemed to rebuke me with the Saviour's words, "Could ye not watch with me one hour?" Laying aside the book, I took up a copy of the Christian Science Sentinel. Invested with a beauty and meaning which I had never before observed, the command of our Master, "What I say unto you I say unto all. Watch," seemed like a voice instead of a sentence expressed in print. Three thoughts came to me at once. First, that no more was demanded of me than is asked of all, and in that the impartiality of Truth is expressed. It simply asks that I do my part. Second, our dear Leader had emphasized this command by special lettering of the word watch. Third, she had placed the command on the front page of the Sentinel that it might not be overlooked.

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