Editorial June 3, 1916 Issue

"What she could"

Archibald McLellan

In the opening verses of the fourteenth chapter of Mark's gospel is recorded an incident so striking in its simplicity of narrative and in the recognition accorded for the service rendered, that the lesson it is intended to convey cannot well be ignored. Superficial and pharisaical judgment would condemn the seeming waste of precious ointment, but the ever-compassionate Saviour divined the motive of the offering, and throughout all time his commendation will be remembered: "She hath done what she could." Could anything be simpler! As some one has phrased it,—"Not what she could not do; not what she thought might be done; not what she would like to do; not what she would do if she had more time; not what somebody else thought she ought to do: but 'what she could.'"

Inspiration and opportunity do not always go hand in hand, but we may be very sure that if the motive is a right one, if it is to do good, occasion for the doing will not be lacking. So many times we limit ourselves by thinking we have not the money, or the time, or the ability to help as we would like to do; but wherever we are and whatever our condition, there is always some needy one to whom we may proffer Love's ministry, some one to whose parched lips we may hold the cup of living water,—the blessed assurance that today as of old the healing Christ is with men. If we are willing to do what we can, when and where and to whom we can, so long as we are in Love's service, we shall merit the same reward as did the woman who gave the best that she had for the Master's anointing, since the promise reads, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." The one who comes to Christian Science for relief from sin, from sorrow, or from suffering, may be even as the beggar that lay at the rich man's gate, it is none the less an opportunity to do what we can,—to bid the sufferer, in the name of him who was servant of all, rise up from his wretchedness and go forth a free man. Such good deeds are not lost, though they pass unrewarded even by the giving of thanks.

Christian Science is essentially a religion of service, and its opportunities are boundless. On page 570 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes: "Millions of unprejudiced minds—simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert—are waiting and watching for rest and drink." Truly is the harvest great and the laborers few in this world-wide movement for the abolition of sin, disease, and death! And the call is one which cannot be ignored. It comes alike to the toiler in the fields, the man in business, the woman in the home, the child in school or at play: "If ye love me, keep my commandments." Nor must it be forgotten that this love is best expressed in the doing of the works which marked Jesus' ministry,—healing the sick, binding up the brokenhearted, opening the prison doors to those bound fast in trespasses and sins.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

Sunday School Work Progressive