Article January 2, 1915 Issue

Joy of Service

FREDERICK M. O'MEARA

The greatest joy possible to man is found in the service of God. It is the invariable experience of students of Christian Science that their highest and holiest joy is in helping others. Many of us who today are privileged to be numbered among that ever-increasing multitude, have not always sought happiness in service. We have imagined that satisfaction was to be found in catering to our own selfish and carnal desires. Frequently, if opportunity to do something worth while was presented to us, the first question was, "What am I going to get out of it?" But Christian Science is changing all this. We are beginning to see the immeasurable joy to be had by one's "seeking his own in another's good" (Science and Health, p. 518). Earth has nothing to compare with the joy of seeing the effects which follow when one has been privileged to be a channel for the "still small voice" of Truth. This joy of serving in Christian Science is not confined to those occupying posts of importance and responsibility; it is as open to those who are taking the first faltering steps in the way everlasting. There is no work in the Christian Science movement which is unimportant, and the student who regularly passes on or mails his copy of the Monitor or any of the other periodicals, is doing a service significance of which may prove incalculable.

The writer recently had an experience in serving our cause which he would like to share with others. It was in distributing cards in stores and public places to announce a lecture on Christian Science, and he found pleasure in observing the increasing respect which the general public is coming to have for the Christian Science movement and its activities; but the greatest joy was experienced the day after the lecture. As the cards were gathered up, the storekeepers and others were sincerely thanked for their courtesy, and each was presented with a copy of The Christian Science Monitor. In every case the paper was received with what was evidently unfeigned interest and appreciation. To material sense it was a very gloomy and miserable day, but the joy of knowing that one was doing God's work completely eliminated all thoughts of inclement weather. When discouraging remarks were made about the weather, the Scientist stated that if one was happy the weather could not affect him whether good or bad, and he found his listeners ready to agree with him. The joy of knowing that the good each one of these copies of the Monitor would do was great, and there was brought home to him as never before the joy of service.

Opportunities of serving our cause are constantly presented. The distribution and Monitor committees offer unlimited scope to bless our neighbor. The church services and testimony meetings also offer every alert Scientist opportunity for service by being in his place in plenty of time before the service or meeting begins, and quietly realizing the all-presence and continuous activity of the one infinite Mind. As we come upon them we do well to remember these words of our Leader, on page 570 of Science and Health: "Millions of unprejudiced minds—simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert—are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences."

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