Article January 1, 1916 Issue

Treasures of Truth

HELEN ANDREWS NIXON

Today surely demands that we think and act from a higher mental plane than we did yesterday; that we recoginize and destroy the false claim of lethargy, free ourselves from stereotyped opinions, and come forth stripped of mortal vestures, and thus better fitted for the ennobling race that is set before us. It is a steady, patient ascent we have to make in the demonstration of Christian Science, and the lighter the baggage the easier the climb. There are always the extremes to be avoided and the middle of the road to be found and kept. This task alone requires much thought. It demands demonstration, not speculation, and much painstaking effort.

On page 236 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes: "A special privilege is vested in the ministry. How shall it be used? Sacredly, in the interests of humanity, not of sect." When made luminous by spiritual understanding, the by-laws contained in the Manual of The Mother Church are seen to be of the highest significance, and that they confer "a special privilege" upon every Christian Scientist is made quite plain. Take for instance Section 5 of Article VIII, which reads, "The prayers in Christian Science churches shall be offered for the congregations collectively and exclusively." "Collectively,"—here we stop to think. Metaphysical self-denial is the immediate demand. The so-called material senses are to be given no hearing. They are forbidden to outline and number the people. They are forbidden to report an assemblage of many minds and bodies, with varied aims, interests, and antagonisms. Shutting out personal sense, the way is opened to spiritual consciousness.

To pray for the congregation collectively is to withdraw from sense-testimony, and to abide and rejoice trustingly in the spiritual consciousness that all true believers are "the people of his [God's] pasture, and the sheep of his hand." Spiritually understood, divine Love is our shepherd, and there is but one shepherd and one fold, even as Jesus declared. In the light of scientific prayer mortal differences melt away, the oneness of need, purpose, and achievement appears, and nothing seems so worth while as the sweet and certain sense that good alone is real, and that conscious at-one-ment with God is the divine birthright of each and every man.

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