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"BE YE THEREFORE WISE"
The higher meaning which attaches to the Scripture word wisdom, identifies it with that spiritual understanding or knowledge of Truth referred to in the familiar proverb, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom." Christ Jesus also used the word to express that practical foresightedness and discretion which is able to meet the human situation in a masterful way. To fulfil our Lord's hope that we his disciples be "wise as serpents, and harmless as doves," is to be governed in every hour and event by alert and illumined good sense; it is to be saved from the stupidity which is forever inopportune, which is given to the sacrifice of a noble end for the gratification of some whim of pride or impulse. To be wise is to be well poised, considerate for all, free from the dominion of prejudice and self-interest, capable of looking at a question from all points of view, and that quickly enough to take advantage of circumstances which brook no delay. As Christian Scientists we cannot too frequently remind ourselves that it is peculiarly incumbent upon us today to have and exhibit both these riches of wisdom. If found lacking in either spiritual understanding or practical good judgment, we are sure to dishonor our profession and prove, in so far, a hindrance to the cause we would advance.
St. Paul may not have exceeded the other apostles in the emphasis he placed upon the necessity of being "rooted and grounded in love," but his broad knowledge of men and things gave him a keen sense of the need of putting on "the whole armor of God," of having that all-round sanity and sobriety of judgment, that control of temper, largeness of view, and wholesomeness of statement which he so earnestly commended in his letters to his "dearly beloved son" Timothy. No one can read these words of fatherly advice and exhortation without recognizing the significance he attaches not only to one's vital grasp of spiritual truth, but to the faultless mastery, the technique of its expression. "Study," he says, "to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed." The manner of doing the right thing must be no less ideal than the spirit of the deed. The genuineness of our stand for Principle is determined not only by our willingness to die for it if need be, but by the studious thoughtfulness of our effort to live for it, ideally. No man can take Christ Jesus' uncompromising stand for Truth without offending the pharisaism of those who are zealous defendants of error; but if he have sufficient "wisdom," he can be so circumspect as to avoid grieving his fellow believers, or repelling any aspiring, broad-minded person by his declarations of truth.

February 24, 1912 issue
View Issue-
ABOVE THE FOG
M. G. KAINS, M.S.
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WILLING SERVICE
MAY BELCHER.
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CLASS DISTINCTION
COL. W. E. FELL.
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WHERE DO WE STAND?
W. ALBERT BOSWELL.
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"WHO TOLD THEE?"
W. TAYLOR STONE.
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THOUGHTS
HELEN P. BLAKE.
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RECOMPENSE
EMMA GOODMAN.
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The following letter from Secretary of War Stimson...
Henry L. Stimson
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May I draw attention to the fact that there must be...
Frederick Dixon
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I beg the privilege of saying a few words in reply to an...
Samuel Greenwood
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It is quite two years since my name appeared among the...
John S. Clarke
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The Rev.—informs your readers that he would not...
William J. Bonnin
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IF THINE EYE BE SINGLE
Archibald McLellan
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"BE YE THEREFORE WISE"
John B. Willis
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THE ALLNESS OF GOOD
Annie M. Knott
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THE LECTURES
with contributions from Henry L. Gwalter, C. E. Sprout, James W. Helme, William Cunningham, J. P. Dargitz
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I wish to express my gratitude for what Christian Science...
Irene Litterst
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It is with a heart overflowing with gratitude that I send...
Rosa Groce Berleth
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I cannot say enough in praise of Christian Science
Sarah Benson
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I suffered many years with a severe form of stomach...
James C. Herring with contributions from Addie Herring
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I have had very much to be thankful for since my healing,...
Lizzie Douglas
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One time it was my pleasure to stand in the bow of a...
Mayte A. Robinson
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"Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me,...
William A. Eldredge
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ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP IN THE MOTHER CHURCH
John V. Dittemore
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FROM OUR EXCHANGES
with contributions from R. J. Campbell, Charles R. Brown, Peter Cook