Editorial June 27, 1914 Issue

"Let patience have her perfect work"

Archibald McLellan

One of the lessons that Christian Scientists are learning is the need for "patient continuance in well-doing." They are beginning to understand what Christ Jesus meant when he said, "In your patience possess ye your souls." He saw all about him the beliefs of life in matter, and he patiently and persistently labored to overcome these beliefs. He did not attempt this, however, with the mistaken violence of those who would take the kingdom of heaven by force, but rather with that loving tenderness, compassion, and assurance which binds up the broken-hearted and comforts them that mourn, in fulfilment of his mission, as foretold by Isaiah.

Mrs. Eddy further saw that the progress of mankind out of these beliefs—the "passage from sense to Soul," as she has called it (Science and Health, p. 566)—must be a matter of time. Not that the power of God is limited, but (as she explains so clearly on page 396 of Science and Health) "the refutation of the testimony of material sense ... becomes arduous, not because the testimony of sin or disease is true, but solely on account of the tenacity of belief in its truth, due to the force of education and the overwhelming weight of opinions on the wrong side,—all teaching that the body suffers, as if matter could have sensation." It was for this reason, and the added fact that she had learned that "in the midst of imperfection, perfection is seen and acknowledged only by degrees" (Science and Health, p. 233), that she planted the Christian Science organization on an enduring basis, with rules and by-laws which should be as applicable to its needs fifty centuries hence as they are today.

Mrs. Eddy knew, having proved it for herself, that divine Mind is unvarying; that Christ, Truth, is "the same yesterday, and today, and forever." Therefore all that is good and right and helpful at one time, is good and right and helpful at all times. These rules and by-laws, laid down for the guidance of members of The Mother Church and to which they subscribe in becoming such, were not the product of chance. As their author has said of them: "They were not arbitrary opinions nor dictatorial demands, such as one person might impose on another. They were impelled by a power not one's own, were written at different dates, and as the occasion required. They sprang from necessity, the logic of events,—from the immediate demand for them as a help that must be supplied to maintain the dignity and defense of our cause; hence their simple, scientific basis, and detail so requisite to demonstrate genuine Christian Science, and which will do for the race what absolute doctrines destined for future generations might not accomplish" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 148). Should any one be tempted to believe that he can be a Christian Scientist without a thorough knowledge of the by-laws of The Mother Church, as well as of Science and Health, he should consider well the words of our Leader just quoted. Jesus said, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed."

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