Article October 25, 1913 Issue

Christian Work

FRANK B. HOMANS

Our Master taught us by example that the only true way of living is in doing holy work. At twelve years of age he was "about [his] Father's business." After he took up the active work of preaching the gospel there is no record of his having spent any time in idleness or waiting. During his agony on the cross, he not only lifted his thought above material aid, but regardless of the viciousness and degradation of the thieves, he prepared one of them to receive the truth of "life eternal." He also found time during that trying hour to provide a home for his mother and to forgive all his enemies, while as Mrs. Eddy says, "his three days' work in the sepulcher set the seal of eternity on time" (Science and Health, p. 44). The forty days after his resurrection were spent not in rejoicing over his great victory, in feasting or fasting, or any form of ritualistic worship, but in giving his followers a clearer idea of Life, Truth, and Love.

How well our Leader conformed to his example, every one can know by reading Sibyl Wilbur's true story of her life. When Mrs. Eddy had completed the writing of her book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," she did not idly wait to watch results, nor did she close her metaphysical college to take a long-needed rest. Each effort she put forth to spread the teaching of Christian Science throughout the world served as an impetus to some greater undertaking. To enumerate the many valuable plans which she formulated and put in operation as the result of her wisdom, foresight, and activity, is not necessary here: suffice it to say she was a tireless worker all the way. And now the question comes, Are we following her as she followed Christ? If so, when we have acquired our own church edifice we shall not be satisfied with this achievement. Every church, even in the smallest hamlet, should realize that it has still more important work to do. As a member of a branch church, the writer feels that contributions of time and money should flow into each church as freely after as before the completion of the building, because the supply is from God, hence unlimited. Nothing is more debilitating to the spiritual life than the loss of desire to give, as the Master said, for only as we give can we receive, and our capacity to receive is measured by our desire to give.

The literature committee of every church should be kept busy sending out our publications, that all may read and learn for themselves what Christian Science is; what it does and what it stands for. Encouragement, moral and financial, should be given to near-by places that are ready to start a church or society, but may need the help of one already established. While the smaller churches may not be able to do as extensive work as those in the larger cities, they can through faithful effort accomplish more and more each year.

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