Editorial January 3, 1914 ISSUE

Leaders and Followers

Annie M. Knott

In ancient times, as we read in the Scriptures, spiritual leaders were chosen from among the people to make known to them the divine purpose and power, and to inspire them with a desire to obey the divine will. Not every prophet was called to this high office, but only those who met the divine requirement in calm courage, meekness, self-effacement, and above all, in far-sighted spiritual vision.

In Exodus we read that Moses shrank when called to assume this high responsibility; but God said to him: "Now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee." We are told that a symbol of the divine presence was with the people, the pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night; also that their needs were often met by what to them seemed to be supernatural means, and that protection from disease was promised, so long as they heeded the commands given through their divinely appointed leader. Again, we read in the fifty-fifth chapter of Isaiah that David was given for "a leader and commander to the people." In both of these cases it is very clear that the leadership was a spiritual office, though it seemed to extend to the outward and material; but its permanent element, that which is even today a mighty world influence, was purely spiritual.

Respecting the leadership of Moses, Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 200 ): "Moses advanced a nation to the worship of God in Spirit instead of matter, and illustrated the grand human capacities of being bestowed by immortal Mind." Leading of course implies following, and nothing less than inspiration and divine guidance can make a faithful follower, any more than it can make a true leader. Moses has had many loyal followers, who prized wisdom far above rubies, and it is noteworthy that the qualities which characterized the leader are expressed in some measure by them. When we think of David as a great leader, we may well recall Kipling's beautiful lines:—

The tumult and the shouting dies,
The captains and the kings depart;
Still stands thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.

As a captain and a king, David had his day, but if this were all of his history he would now be sleeping in forgotten dust. His real office, the leading of humanity toward man's spiritual heritage, has immortalized him for those who follow the divine light which he lifted up in the darkness of a material age, and his true followers are those who are not "afraid for the terror by night; . . . nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness," because they have made the infinite their refuge.

As we dwell upon the spiritual leadership of Christ Jesus, we are reminded that in the hour of his greatest need every one of his little band of followers "forsook him, and fled." Sad indeed were it if this closed the record, but it does not. These same men, with greater spiritual illumination, rallied fearlessly around his standard,—the idea of one omnipotent, omnipresent God,—and were ready to obey his command, "Follow me," not even counting their lives dear! And who shall tell the number of his followers today? Truly his leadership extends beyond all human reckoning, and foremost among his followers is the one whom Christian Scientists love to name their Leader, the one who has called countless thousands to an understanding of his mighty works and unswerving loyalty to his high demands, she who said to those whom she had led out of the darkness of sin and suffering, "Follow your Leader only so far as she follows Christ" (Message of 1901, p. 34).

It is true that in a sense Mrs. Eddy's followers have only begun to understand what spiritual leadership means, to realize that it is the voice of God, speaking to those who in any age are best prepared to hear, to heed, and to proclaim the divine will, and that each advancing step taken means a more marked departure from material belief and toward spiritual understanding. Are we ready thus to follow?

Annie M. Knott.

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