Editorial May 16, 1914 Issue

Come Ye Apart

John B. Willis

Christian Scientists who have awakened to the disabling effects of the mesmerism of massed personality, can understand why Christ Jesus should have said to his disciples, "Come ye yourselves apart," and why the good and great have ever been impelled to withdraw from the world at frequent intervals, and find in meditative solitude the poise, inspiration, and strength they may need.

When St. Paul realized that the crisis of his life had come, and foresaw the tremendous moral and spiritual requirements about to be laid upon him as an unwelcomed prophet and apostle, he "conferred not with flesh and blood," as he says, but immediately went into Arabia; that is, into the wilderness, or open country, fairly to face and finally to solve his momentous problem. It was under a kindred impulsion that for three years after her perception of the Principle of Christian healing, as Mrs. Eddy writes on page 109 of Science and Health, she "kept aloof from society, and devoted time and energies to discovering a positive rule" by which the truth she had discerned could be demonstrated.

This necessity of escape from the confusions of the world, its absorption in the things of material sense, makes appeal in due time to every sincere Truth-seeker. The Master was thus wont to get away from things, now and then, to take a new hold on scientific right consciousness and to shake off the enslaving impress of material environment and experience. Following him, we do well to betake ourselves to the great sky-domed out-of-doors, to nature interpreted at its best, that we may find God, and be wedded by His grace to the white-robed duty awaiting us at this tryst.

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