Article October 8, 1910 Issue

WATCHING

WALTER SHAW

Why do Christian Scientists find it so necessary to watch? Why should Mrs. Eddy have chosen this saying of Jesus for the constant head-line of our Sentinel, "What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch," and why should a by-law be needed in our Church Manual, entitled "Alertness to duty" (p. 42), and such constant attention be directed to this subject? Surely it must have a very important relation to our spiritual advancement to be thus accentuated.

Most of us see that many and various human conditions seem to obstruct our progress in Science. Gradually to improve these, we have to be intensely in earnest about the "one thing needful," or we do not make the needed effort to acquire more of truth. One of our greatest temptations is to cherish our inherent belief in the reality of matter. If we are not striving in some way (however small) to overcome this belief, we are not truly watching, and our consciousness is liable to be invaded by an overwhelming sense of the reality of material things. It is comparatively easy to assent to the premises of Christian Science when we have reasoned them out, but it is quite another thing to strive hourly to put them into practice. To repeat at the close of our service, "There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation" (Science and Health, p. 468), while making no effort to prove it, will not insure growth.

What is it that often tries to hinder us when wishing to get into closer unity with truth? Sometimes it is our sense of human personality, or a bodily condition says, "I am too tired to rise early to study this morning." Social position or business duties may demand so much time as to crowd out the quiet hours needed for study. Christ Jesus saw how the cares of this world claim to hinder mortals from following him. There are other obstacles besides these material things that strive to hinder us. Much in the mentality of each of us needs correction. We should daily become more loving and kind through our advancement in understanding, more free from criticism of others, more ready to forgive an injury, more patient under tribulation, and ever prompt to help those who need our assistance.

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