Article May 14, 1910 Issue

OUR "KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES."

RENETTE K. BUTLER

As I progress in the study of Christian Science, I find that many passages of Scripture have been illumined for me. When I say illumined, I mean not simply made attractive, but made clear and plain; that is, passages which once merely expressed beautiful sentiments or theories, have become practical, demonstrable statements of Principle, just as practical and demonstrable as a statement in mathematics. Take, for example, the Master's requirement that the one who would follow in his footsteps must "deny himself." In a vague sort of way I once thought this to mean that if I wished to be a Christian, I must do without something which I very much wished to have. Circumstances left me no choice in the matter, and though I rebelled, I was denied much of the joy of being helpful because of physical weakness and suffering, I was denied a college education because of financial limitations, I was denied happiness because of a great unsatisfied longing. All this, however, seemed to strain rather than strengthen my sense of Christianity.

Through the study of our wonderful "Key to the Scriptures," the Christian Science text-book, I have learned that if I would truly follow Christ, if I would be his disciple, I must deny myself,—my false sense of self,—self-love, self-will, self-depreciation, self-righteousness, self-pity (which I used to call sensitiveness). I have found the daily prayer given in our church Manual to be a constant help in overcoming this error. I find that I must exercise eternal vigilance; but victories already gained have brought me happiness beyond expression, and have made me more wisely sympathetic and loving, more truly generous and helpful, because the effort to deny my own false sense of self has made it easier to unsee the false image in others.

As I realize more and more how much of my usefulness as a Christian Scientist depends upon this obliteration of self, I become more capable of gratitude toward our dear Leader, who has grown so far toward the living of "an unselfed love" (Science and Health, p. 1) as to be able to reveal to the world this wonderful Christian Science.

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