Article March 1, 1913 Issue

LESSONS FROM THE SHEEP

ESTHER MURRAY.

While on a sheep farm here in South Africa, I noticed there would often be one goat among a flock of sheep. On inquiring the reason of this, I was told that it was very difficult to get sheep to go through a river or even a gateway, but that the goat would go and then the sheep would follow. One farmer in the neighborhood, however, lost a number of sheep through this practise. A goat used for this purpose leaped across a chasm to a small ledge, where he was safe, but there was no room for the sheep. A number of them tried to follow but fell into the abyss. This experience was a lesson to me, because it shows we must beware of following where personality leads; we must be sure it is the truth which is leading us. In her "Message to The Mother Church for 1901" (p. 34) our Leader says: "Study the Bible and the text-book of our denomination; obey strictly the laws that be, and follow your Leader only so far as she follows Christ."

Another lesson which my stay at the sheep farm taught me was this: When I first heard of Christian Science and understood what it meant, I longed to help with the healing, but it seemed presumptuous to think I was then fitted for so great a work. One day, however, after reading Jesus' words about the "good shepherd," the thought came to me that though I might not be ready to be a shepherd, I could begin by thinking of myself as a sheep-dog bringing stray sheep into the fold. So I began to work, helping each one that came my way as best I could, and directing them to the Bible and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy. I have thus found that in helping others I have helped myself, and I feel sure we should never let the thought that we are not worthy hinder us from trying to do the work of Truth, because it is only by working that we learn. By using our one talent faithfully, we prove that we are ready to receive more; and we are not called upon to do work for which we are not fitted.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
YOUTH AND AGE
March 1, 1913
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit