Editorial October 16, 1909 Issue

"MEEK AND LOWLY IN HEART"

Archibald McLellan

Our great Master humbly said, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls;" and it is only in this humble and unassuming spirit of the Master, that "self-abnegation by which we lay down all for Truth, or Christ, in our warfare against error" (Science and Health, p. 568), that Christian Science in its truth and purity is being successfully taught. Mrs. Eddy emphasizes this clearly and unmistakably in "Retrospection and Introspection," where she writes (p. 84): "That teacher does most for his students who divests himself most of pride and self, and by reason thereof is able to empty his students' minds of error, that they may be filled with Truth. Thus doing, posterity will call him blessed, and the tired tongue of history be enriched. The less the teacher personally controls other minds, and the more he trusts them to the divine Truth and Love, the better it will be for both teacher and student."

It is not the purpose of class instruction in Christian Science to establish between teacher and pupil any other than a sane and sensible relationship, that which has its basis in a mutual understanding of divine Principle, and which involves no sense of domination on the part of the teacher and no sense of subserviency on the part of the pupil. The duty of the teacher is to impart to the pupil a correct understanding of Christian Science as set forth in its text-book, Science and Health, and it should be the greatest desire of the pupil to receive this correct understanding, and only this. When this duty is performed and this desire is satisfied, the true purpose of class instruction has been accomplished and a basis for a proper relationship has been established.

The pupil, if he has been properly taught, is then ready to go forth, in fulfilment of the Master's command, to preach the gospel and heal the sick, and thus work out his own salvation. His constant prayer will then be for that Mind to be in him which was also in Christ Jesus, and not the mind of a human teacher. It is for the dominance of this spirit of self-abnegation that our Leader has taught and worked in all the years, both by precept and example. She writes in Science and Health (p. 464): "In founding a pathological system of Christianity, the author has labored to expound divine Principle, and not to exalt personality." In "Miscellaneous Writings" she says (p. 135): "Again I repeat, person is not in the question of Christian Science. Principle, instead of person, is next to our hearts, on our lips, and in our lives;" and she adds: "If you falter, or fail to fulfil this golden rule, though you should build to the heavens, you would build on sand."

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Letters
TWO LETTERS
October 16, 1909
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit