Article March 23, 1912 Issue

"BE INSTANT IN SEASON, OUT OF SEASON"

GRACE SQUIRES.

In "No and Yes" by Mrs. Eddy (p. 1) we read, "Truth is as 'the still, small voice,' which comes to our recognition only as our natures are changed by its silent influence." And again Mrs. Eddy speaks of the "cultivation of the true idea and the quiet practice of its virtues." The opportunity for the Christian Scientist to apply his religion comes more frequently in the small issues of life than in the large, and if he is faithful in this discharge he will at crucial moments find himself ruler.

To follow his Leader's injunction, and avoid voicing error, is a precept that commends itself to him as indicative of his faith. But in life his precept often becomes broken in practice, and not infrequently with supreme unconsciousness. One reason for this is that mortal mind has an innate love of the dramatic. It expands under high lights,—only it prefers them at a distance. Hence the temptation to voice this or that misery or feeling, since our superior knowledge of its nothingness permits this freedom. But the life effort of the Christian Scientist to destroy the seeming reality of error is not accomplished by voicing it, however low the voice or apologetic the manner.

Not infrequently it happens that we voice inharmonies in the hearing of one to whom of all possible claims this is the most personal and distressing. Perhaps we have outlined an image and thrust into his unguarded thought that which will take him hours to efface. We know so little of each other's history. If we knew more we should so often be wise. We are not purposely hurtful. We sow our worst deeds in carelessness, hence the need of leaning on our faith and exemplifying it with every breath, being instant in season and out. Another error that seems more or less tempting is that of giving unwise information. We are like children whispering in a corner, impressed with the distinction of our knowledge. Later, this distinction so carelessly voiced and unconsciously outlined is not so pleasant a possession, for all error that our thought accepts it will later through suffering reject.

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