Article December 21, 1907 Issue

OUR FATHER'S BUSINESS

MARY A. NEWMAN.

Among the problems which confront the beginner in Christian Science, is the attitude maintained by relatives, friends and acquaintances who are not as yet disposed to investigate its teachings for themselves, and who sometimes sit in censorship upon the "new departure" of the student from the beaten tracks of church and social life. Or the attitude may be one that suggests a compromise with former methods and conditions, which is a more subtle form of temptation than the definite pronouncement of non-acceptance. As the student works his way through growth of understanding out of habits and conditions now no longer tenable, the time comes when in a greater or lesser degree he will experience the lesson spoken of by our Leader in Science and Health (p.266), "Love will force you to accept what best promotes your growth." Again, on page 238, she says, "He who leaves all for Christ forsakes popularity and gains Christianity." A beautiful lesson is given us in the incident in the life of our Master recorded in the second chapter of Luke's Gospel, when, having traveled with his parents to Jerusalem to the feast of the passover, he "tarried behind in Jerusalem" to do the work God had given him among the learned men of the temple. We read that Joseph and his mother, "supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance." Not finding him, they returned to Jerusalem, and then, in amazement at discovering him seated among the doctors, they spoke in terms of sorrowful reproof. What a grand dignity in his reply: "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" But "they understood not the saying;" not yet had the mighty import of his mission dawned upon their thought, viz., the power of Truth to heal all sickness and overcome sin and death.

What a wealth of inspiration is contained in those words of Jesus. Hope, faith, and love are strengthened, and we gain fresh courage for more faithful service in the Cause of Christian Science and in the work of overcoming for ourselves and others every error of mortal belief. To "be about our Father's business" is to do the work our Leader speaks of in Science and Health (P.261), "Good demands of man every hour, in which to work out the problem of being," and here is the true motive for daily life. Here, too, thought turns in love and gratitude to her who has revealed to us anew the power of a consecrated life, and whose courage, patience, endurance, and unselfish love may well inspire the humblest student in Christian Science to take up his cross and meekly follow in the way that "leadeth unto life," knowing that omnipotent Love is ever present to guide and guard each pilgrim on the journey from sense to Soul.

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