Article November 6, 1915 Issue

Scientific Mastery

WILLIAM R. RATHVON

One could hardly wish a greater good for another than that he should do all that he is capable of doing in Christian Science. A renowned philosopher defined a friend as one who makes us do what we can; but in Christian Science true friendship is not so much a matter of making another do something as of revealing to him what he is capable of doing. While a friend may describe to us the glorious splendor of the sunrise, if we would see it for ourselves we must awake early and rise promptly. In Christian Science the incentive may come through another, but the performance rests entirely with one's self.

Divine Love ever directs and invites obedience or compliance, but rarely compels it. So too with our work in Science, we must be careful not to confound the offices of impulsion with compulsion or of guidance with performance. If one points out to us the ways and means whereby we may come into a closer walk with God, he has done much; but if we walk with God, we have done more, for when we commune with Him we are bringing good into our consciousness, and therefore into our experience,—a thing which no one can do for us. The oftener we thus walk with God, the clearer becomes our vision, the smoother our path, the brighter the sun, the sweeter the flowers.

Smooth paths and bright flowers are not, however, the constant accompaniments of the wayfaring man; he often wanders far from them. Nevertheless let him rejoice that there is no hour in the day or night when he may not find them, and return to them if he will. In its present stage of development human consciousness is not capable of continuous or even greatly prolonged communion with God, but let us be grateful that we have progressed to the point where we may have it times without number, if not uninterruptedly. Knowing this, we need not be dismayed even if there appears an unwelcome mental intruder to becloud our thought, divert our steps, and loosen our hold upon the heavenly Father's hand. This may mean a struggle to retain that which is threatened, a trial of our faith, our understanding, our steadfastness, but let us not grieve over such experiences.

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