Article September 20, 1913 Issue

"Follow me"

HORACE A. PULLAR

When our Master was asked by the rich young man what he should do to inherit eternal life, it is noteworthy that Jesus first referred him to those commandments which relate to man's duty to his neighbor. Upon receiving the assurance that these had been kept, and in answer to the question, "What lack I yet?" the test of self-denial was required of him. Jesus said, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, ... and come and follow me."

In all probability this inquirer after Truth was sincere, and was living in obedience to the commandments as far as he understood them; but his unwillingness to part with his material possessions showed that he was worshiping the false gods of belief in life and substance in matter, that belief which is rebuked in the commandment: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Mrs. Eddy says: "This me is Spirit. Therefore the command means this: Thou shalt have no intelligence, no life, no substance, no truth, no love, but that which is spiritual" (Science and Health, p. 467).

Many of the disciples forsook family and friends to serve the Master, but this was only the initial step; and every faithful follower has had to learn the necessity of breaking away from all belief in the reality of material life with its seeming attractions, "even the surrender of all merely material sensation, affection, and worship" (Science and Health, p. 9). Only in this way is it possible to gain, in a sufficient degree to heal those in bondage to sickness, sorrow, and sin, that impersonal love for all mankind expressed by Jesus in the words, "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."

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