Article December 12, 1908 Issue

PATIENCE

GRETTA POTTER BEARCE.

There is a strong belief of impatience with which beginners in Christian Science have to contend. The young Scientist should beware lest, after reaching a height of exalted spiritual insight, he be dropped down suddenly, through this false belief, into a feeling of intense distaste for the humdrum monotony of his daily duties. He feels, perhaps, that they are trivial or sordid in comparison with the glorious work of his Father,—the desire to give all his time to compliance with the twofold command of Jesus to "preach the gospel to every creature," and to heal the sick,"—which has become possible to him through the teaching of Mrs. Eddy. He is tempted to turn away from all earthly tasks; to leave distasteful environments behind him, regardless of possible discordant consequences. Grasping only the thought that God is his sole reliance and strength, he fails to consider whether he is taking the right steps to make manifest this truth. This is the point where he should question whether it is not his own self-will which clamors for instant recognition and gratification; whether his attitude is that of the patient, humble waiting on God's word which is demanded of all. Mrs. Eddy says, "Emerge gently from matter into Spirit (Science and Health, p. 485).

Christian Science is purely metaphysical, and every problem must therefore be worked out mentally by the individual, before he can hope to leave behind him his unsatisfactory material condition or environment. All those things which result in harmony, peace, and concord, are right ideas. The beginner, therefore, should not permit himself to feel distaste for any duties, no matter how insignificant, which concur in the general expression of harmony. If all necessary duties be accomplished in the right spirit, knowing the truth about the work, working out one's freedom mentally, that freedom will follow naturally and lift one to a higher plane.

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