Article March 11, 1911 Issue

NEEDFUL ACTION

ALEXANDER P. ROBERTSON, M.D.

Mrs. Eddy tells us that "it is easier to desire Truth than to rid one's self of error. Mortals may seek the understanding of Christian Science, but they will not be able to glean from Christian Science, the facts of being, without striving for them" (Science and Health, p. 322). She also says, "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need" (Ibid., p. 494). Note carefully that Mrs. Eddy here uses the words "meet" and "met." She does not say that divine Love will come all the way to where we are idly sitting, waiting, moping, dozing, dreaming, wondering why the healing is so long in coming to us, but she does say that divine Love "always has met and always will meet;" and this implies motion, movement, action on our part, a rousing up, a getting up, a going toward divine Love. If we are willing to do our part, we have the positive statement of those who have tested it that every human need is met by divine Love.

In the story of the prodigal son we read, "I will arise and go to my father." Now this was a good resolution, but to become effective it required action, otherwise he would have remained to feed upon the husks. But he arose and came, and we read that while he was yet a long way off his father saw him and ran and met him. Action, always action! In Revelation we read, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, an open the door, I will come in to him." Again action is indicated—ever action on our part. We must wake up, hear the voice, get up and open the door. There is always some work for us to do, some act for us to perform.

We also have the promises to "him that overcometh." The use of this word overcome includes action, it implies that a struggle has preceded the mastery. It would not be used to express anything which might come to us while inactive; when we are in a mesmeric doze, nor when we are fearful or doubtful. But when with sincere desire, with earnest motive, with fervent hope, with confident trust, we strive for the mastery, then we overcome, and we become victors.

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