Article June 15, 1912 Issue

PROFITABLE SERVANTS

HELEN FRIEND-ROBINSON

In Smith's Bible Dictionary we find this definition of the word servant: "This word often denotes a man who dedicates himself voluntarily to the service of another. Thus, Joshua was the servant of Moses. The servants of God are those who are devoted to His service." Surely the test of every student who has subscribed to the tenets of the Christian Science church should be that he is ready to dedicate himself voluntarily as a servant to God, and his aim should be to become a more "profitable servant" in this great cause. Like the Master, he has come "not to be ministered unto, but to minister," and in the ratio of his spiritual understanding, his life and works should be in accord with this vital precept.

Mrs. Eddy says: "God selects for the highest service one who has grown into such a fitness for it as renders any abuse of the mission an impossibility" (Science and Health, p. 455), and centuries ago pride and arrogance in Christian service were rebuked forever in these words of our great Wayshower: "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet." It therefore behooves the earnest student so to study and live as to make himself approved of God, that he may become a servant who need not fear to enter the highest service in this movement for the redemption of mankind, nor be too proud to stoop to the lowest service, if necessary, in ministering to the needs of others.

While every student knows that he has not yet attained the ultimate of Science, yet this one thing he can do: he can strive to make each day a higher tribute of gratitude to God, by doing better and more profitable work than he has done before. In true humility, esteeming others better than himself, as having nothing, yet possessing all things through Christ; like the apostle Paul, taking pleasure in persecutions and distresses, if by such means he draws nearer to Truth and Love: thus will he daily prepare himself for greater usefulness and become diligent in making his calling and election sure.

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