Editorial November 15, 1913 Issue

Principle and Consecration

Annie M. Knott

It is very interesting to students of Christian Science to trace the working out of the spiritual idea in human consciousness through its symbolic presentation as found in the Jewish ceremonial law, and then in the more direct statements of the prophets, up to the practical presentation of divine Principle in the ministry of Christ Jesus. We are reminded in the epistle to the Hebrews that the law had only "a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things." In the study of the entire Scriptures it is well to keep ever before us Mrs. Eddy's statement that "the one important interpretation of Scripture is the spiritual" (Science and Health, p. 320). This does not mean that we should accept or give out fanciful interpretations of any part of the Bible, but that we let the pattern shown on the mount be made of actual service in our character building and in working out all the problems of human experience.

In the books of Exodus and Leviticus we read that at the consecration of the Levites their ears, hands, and feet were touched with blood and also with the holy oil, a ceremony which typified the consecration of human consciousness and activity to divine service. It is also noteworthy that a similar rite was used at the cleansings of lepers, and here it may be well to read the words of our text-book which tell us that "the spiritual essence of blood is sacrifice," and which define oil as "consecration; charity; gentleness; prayer; heavenly inspiration" (Science and Health, pp. 25, 592). With this ever before our thought, we shall see in the light of Christian Science how we may meet the demands of Principle by living consecrated lives, and thus be prepared to do good to all with whom we come in contact. We all need to be cleansed from the leprosy of sensual mortal belief, then we are ready to become, as we read in St. John's vision, "priests unto God." We cannot too often lay hold upon, not the mere sign or symbol, but the vital truth which touches and quickens each faculty until prompt and cheerful obedience is yielded to the demands of Principle.

There are some who wonder why they are not more quickly lifted above all sense of limitation and suffering, if Christian Science is demonstrable, as is claimed. To this it may be answered that, being scientific, all its rules must be complied with. Here is a most important one. Isaiah answers the question, "Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?"—and emerge from it victorious? We read that it is he who "walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly, . . . that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil." Such a one "shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure," and this beautiful chapter closes with the emphatic declaration, "The inhabitant [of Zion] shall not say, I am sick."

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