Editorial June 7, 1913 Issue

AS MASTERS, NOT SERVANTS

John B. Willis

Christ Jesus lived the ideally free life. In every struggle with the world, the flesh, and the devil, he overcame. Instead of yielding to circumstance, he ruled it with right. Even Calvary presents no exception to his triumph. The passion embraced nothing of defeat. He passed through the most serious possibility of human happening, only that he might voluntarily prove for himself and for all mankind the superiority of Truth over error, of the spiritual understanding of Life over the mortal belief of death. This was the inspiring and saving import of the cross: the Master consented unto death, as St. Paul puts it, that he might demonstrate for all mankind the inherent authority of that Truth and Love which is our eternal portion.

Moreover, the Master's definite assertion that he was the Wayshower for the spiritually aspiring, together with his specific command that we live his life and do his works, leaves no question unanswered as to our privilege and duty. Our triumph over sin, sickness, and death is to be as unconditioned by material sense experience as was his,—it is to depend upon the knowing of divine law and obedience thereto, and upon these alone. Said he, "I give unto you power over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

This possibility of the permanent sovereignty of the Christ-life is one of the daring assertions of Christian Science, and it begets immediate realization of a contrast between the duty of professed Christians, the world over, and their doing, which is no less discouraging than discreditable. The attitude of the average Christian believer is one of consent to many unideal experiences as not only inevitable but as wholly profitless. Christian Science recognizes that so long as any factor of material sense remains, so long the assaults of temptation and disease may be expected, but it points out and proves that these assaults may be so met and mastered that a spiritual advance will be wrested from the struggle in every instance; in other words, that for those who have gained the Mind that was in Christ Jesus, all situations and events, however seemingly ill, shall work together for their good; that they shall present not only the opportunity, but the stimulus for the conquest of self. This is the mastery which pertains to man, a demonstration of peace and joy independent of human conditions. St. Paul could say to the Romans that he rejoiced in tribulation, knowing that through the power of Truth it "worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope," and this, as St. John has said, "is the victory that overcometh the world."

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