Article February 24, 1912 Issue

CLASS DISTINCTION

COL. W. E. FELL.

Christian Science is engaged in breaking down many social injustices and abuses, and its success in this line of endeavor is ever receiving a wider recognition, which points to the ultimate abolition of what is called class distinction. This false sense of things is probably more pronounced in England and Europe than in republican America, although it exists in some form or other in every civilized country. It can however be handled only by the manifestation of much tact and sympathy, that is, by much wisdom and love.

Both ends of the social line must work for the uplifting of all mankind. He who has the privilege of birth and education, which after all is merely what may be termed an improved belief, must clearly understand that there is but one Mind and one model, the Christ-ideal, and he should at all times and under all circumstances regard his fellow man, be his station in life what it may, as the manifestation of this Mind. This mental attitude will raise little by little those who have not had the advantages which he himself enjoys. Birth and education are a great responsibility and it behooves a Christian Scientist to make proper use of them. On the other hand, those who are held in the trammels of a sense of lack of education and refinement must demonstrate the equality of man by rising in education and general bearing to the level of those who do not labor under this cramping belief. Today Christian Science has opened out an opportunity to rise in the social scale by affording a liberal education and a standard of refinement to all who have the sense to avail themselves of it. I refer to The Christian Science Monitor. One instance of the value of the Monitor as an educator is illustrated in the following incident: A young woman who had, through the ministration of Christian Science been healed of mental weakness, and so completely as to have become a bright and intelligent member of society, told the writer that she had been sent to school more for the sake of the companionship of the other girls than in the hope that she could learn anything. After Christian Science treatment, however, which restored her faculties to a normal condition, she was confronted with the necessity for commencing her education at a time when most other girls had completed theirs. This feat she accomplished to the satisfaction of herself and her friends through the study of the Monitor. The plan she adopted was to sit down every day with an English dictionary, an atlas, and carefully study its columns. When confronted by words she did not understand, her dictionary was referred to, and in like manner the atlas for localities mentioned. What was possible of accomplishment in her case is certainly possible in all cases.

The attempt to rise in the social scale when one is urged thereto by ambition or any other unworthy motive is doomed to disappointment and much heartburning. Nothing is accomplished in this way, the previous condition still remains, it is not fairly and scientifically overcome. To push oneself to the front in a material, personal way was denounced by Jesus in the parable of the feast. The "thruster" (a term well known in England) is an offense to all, and his methods cannot further his advancement, but merely beget a sense of antagonism against himself. According to Jesus' teaching, how much better is it to take the lower place and wait in patient perseverance and humility for the call, "Friend, go up higher."

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