Article July 26, 1913 Issue

LOYALTY

CLARA LOUISE BURNHAM.

In pondering the phrase, "a loyal Scientist," recently, the writer had a deeper realization of its meaning than heretofore. To array one's self under the banner of Christian Science pure and undefiled, to refrain from wasting time in wandering into by-paths of human opinion, to study the Lesson-Sermon daily, and to read the text-book and other of our Leader's writings until the truths in them unfold and "blossom as the rose" to our understanding,—all these are the evident means of growth for the student; but obedience to Mrs. Eddy's mandate, "Stand porter at the door of thought" (Science and Health, p. 392), is also a necessity if a student would be loyal, and one which in the stress of life is less easy to remember. Loyalty to Christian Science absolutely requires that we be alert in classifying the thoughts which are forever occurring to our consciousness; coming out and being separate from some of them, and refusing to call them ours.

The glorious release from the old belief that evil is as truly our inheritance as good, should bring with it unlimited courage. Even if we have thoughtlessly extended hospitality to a false belief, it is never too late to turn the interloper out of the house of God's child. Even the archenemy discouragement can be ousted by a resolute return of thought to divine Principle, omnipotent Love. That brave line in the Bible, "Having done all, to stand," is a wonderful reminder that loyalty demands unswerving confidence in Truth, even before discords have ceased and harmony is realized. We may say glibly, "a loyal student;" but each heart knows where it stands in this daily business of standing porter. It is our Father's business, and the sooner and more sedulously we are about it, the fewer steps there will be to retrace, and the nearer we shall come to deserving that name which can be written in heaven.

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