Editorial February 18, 1911 Issue

"THE BAGGAGE OF STERN RESOLVE."

Annie M. Knott

It is not only interesting but very helpful to follow the unfoldment of spiritual ideas as explained in Science and Health. In a way that is both practical and poetical Mrs. Eddy gives a new meaning to some familiar passage of Scripture by throwing upon it the light of Truth; as for instance, where she says, "In the figurative transmission from the divine thought to the human, diligence, promptness, and perseverance are likened to the 'cattle upon a thousand hills.' They carry the baggage of stern resolve, and keep pace with highest purpose" (p. 514). This passage illumines in a wonderful way the parable of the talents as given in the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew. Here the great Teacher explains that every one receives "according to his several ability," or as we should say in Christian Science, according to his receptivity. It is very plain that this parable must be interpreted according to a spiritual or metaphysical standard, otherwise we might fancy that there was a merely arbitrary bestowal of talents or opportunities, with an unvarying demand for perfect results.

Now in Christian Science we always start with perfect Principle as the inspiration of all endeavor. We do not merely hope that God is good and just; we must know it, be sure about it, in order to work rightly from the start. The two men first mentioned in the story evidently did this, and although they had to wait "a long time" for the final reckoning, the reward of their diligence and persistency was very likely far beyond their expectations, for St. Paul says that "the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" have not even "entered into the heart of man." They were made rulers over many things, which certainly must have meant in the kingdom within, and they were also made partakers of the joy of their lord.

All this is so cheering that we might well be content to leave the lesson at this point, but another and quite different mental condition has to be considered, and this for the reason that we, too, may be tempted to assume the mental attitude of the one whose narrow and self-centered thought only permitted him to receive one talent, and who attributed his failure entirely to the master, whom he does not hesitate to call "an hard man." He pleads guilty to cowardice (which is certainly not a spiritual quality),—he says, "I was afraid." He had not attained to the perfect love that casts out fear; moreover, his lord charged him with being "wicked and slothful,"—the very thing we need to guard against, lest we be robbed of the rich rewards of truth and its joys. Some may from habit find it easy to be diligent in a material way who are slothful when it comes to spiritual activity. It is not enough to lift up our eyes to the heights, we must climb thither, yoke for service the "diligence, promptness, and perseverance" which are essential to success on any plane of activity, and especially to "carry the baggage of stern resolve," the mental and moral activities which result in health, happiness, and prosperity.

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