Article October 20, 1917 Issue

Endurance

WANDA WHITMAN

Not so very long ago a class in ancient history, while discussing the doctrines of the Stoics, was asked this question by the teacher: "What is the modern sect of people whose beliefs are much akin to those of the Stoics?" A student immediately answered, "The Christian Scientists." Needless to say, the student who answered the question was not acquainted with Mrs. Eddy's teachings, and if he had known as much about Christian Science as he knew about the philosophy founded by Zeno, he would have perceived the difference immediately.

There were at that time three Christian Scientists in the history class, which consisted of about thirty students. This fact was known to most of those present, with the exception of the teacher and the student who made the comparison, and there was a laugh in which the Scientists joined. The remark was amusing, and yet it was disappointing. The calmness with which the truth of Christian Science is discussed by those who are more ignorant of its teachings than of lunar geography, may sometimes cause a feeling of momentary irritation in a Christian Scientist who happens to be present, but the irritation is quickly overcome when he considers that this is only a phase of belief through which most of us pass. Many can remember a wild desire to stick pins into the first Christian Scientist who spoke of the truth, "just to see if he would feel it," and we should therefore be patient when symptoms of this desire are manifested in others.

In the case mentioned above, probably each one of the Scientists had to grapple with a tendency to rise and explain the difference between the philosophy of the Stoics and Christian Science, but it was well that such a wish was repressed, as it was neither the time nor the place for an explanation. Still, that same silent forbearance might have been called an exemplification of Stoicism, had it been known. Those who are not acquainted with Christian Science may seem to confuse its teachings with what is termed Stoicism, although it is rare that they are able to name that which they believe it to be. We hear, for example, the remark, "Oh, just imagine you are a Christian Scientist and pretend that you do not suffer when you do, and that you are all right whether you are or not," — a mental attitude which would better describe a Stoic than a Scientist.

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