Editorial October 3, 1914 Issue

Hearing and Heeding

Annie M. Knott

Among other important changes which have come over religious thought in the last half century is that respecting the communication between God and man. Not so many years ago it was very generally believed that the channels for such communication had been closed since the early days of Christianity, at least to a large extent. Few believed that God speaks to every man every day, and that those who hear and heed bless the whole human family by so doing, even if they never tell others of their mental and spiritual experiences, but live more truly each day because of their recognition of the divine demand and of their obedience thereto. Those who do all this, and who inspire others to do likewise, are the world's best benefactors, and such, we read in the prophecy of Daniel, shall shine "as the stars for ever and ever."

In Science and Health (p. 232) our revered Leader says, "In the sacred sanctuary of Truth are voices of solemn import, but we heed them not." This is a warning which we all should consider, for the word of Truth, when understood by us, leads ever away from discord and toward harmony. It may be that like the child Samuel we shall not at first understand the call, but if we listen and obey, we shall soon find guidance for every step of the way. This is made clear in the epistle to the Hebrews, where the psalmist's words, "Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts," are quoted. We are at the same time reminded that those who did not enter into the promised land failed because they hardened their hearts, and the writer of this epistle says that it is "through the deceitfulness of sin" that men's hearts are hardened and spiritual blessings missed.

We also learn from the apostle's words the lesson of prompt obedience. There should be no parleying with error when Truth makes its demands upon us, no Felix evasion, with the excuse that a more "convenient season" will find us better prepared to obey,—it is "today if ye will hear his voice." Surely there can be nothing sweeter than the voice of Love, which is forever calling us away from all the beliefs of mortality, with its false pleasures and pains, its false concepts of God and man. It is certain that if we heed not the "still small voice" of Him "that speaketh from heaven," we shall have the wind, the earthquake, and the fire of mortal experience, until the stubborn human will bows before omnipotent good and acknowledges the supremacy of Spirit and spiritual law.

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