Article April 2, 1910 Issue

"NO TRESPASS."

IDA C. VANCE.

One afternoon, while at the home of a friend, I thoughtlessly repeated a bit of gossip which had been told me. In the evening, as I sat thinking over the experiences of the day, I recognized how prone we are to excuse ourselves when we voice error to other Christian Scientists, on the ground that "they will understand." But why should we ever consent to give our brother what we are (or should be) daily striving to cast out of our own consciousness, viz., sense testimony? Is it because we do not know what better disposition to make of it?

In following up these thoughts I began to work along new lines, and "in the quiet sanctuary of earnest longings" (Science and Health, p. 15) a clearer realization of the nothingness of what is termed gossip came to me. I asked myself: Suppose I have some rubbish to dispose of, would I ever empty it out in another's yard? Why, I would not think of doing such a thing, knowing as I do that such an act would be an unwarranted trespass on my neighbor; that the rubbish would not only mar the beauty of the lawn, but would tend to destroy the grass (a type of meekness) if it were allowed to remain. Of how much greater importance is it, then, to purify our own thought, in the way our dear Leader has pointed out on page 565 of Science and Health, where she tells us that "the chaff of error" must be burned up "with the fervent heat of Truth and Love," thus purifying human character. It is another opportunity to exemplify the golden rule, and if we are watchful that no wrong thought shall trespass on our own consicousness, we shall then give out to others only that which will elevate, purify, cheer, and bless.

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