Editorial November 17, 1917 Issue

"Sound in sentiment"

William P. McKenzie

The Manual of The Mother Church brings to the attention of the student many startling side lights upon character. For instance, where there is set forth in Section 2 of Article XXVI the obligation of the teacher to his pupils "to watch well that they prove sound in sentiment and practical in Christian Science," this demand enables every one who reads it to perceive for himself a desirable ideal. There are passages of Scripture upon which the light falls clearly when such an ideal is accepted. For example, what is written in the fiftieth psalm, "When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him," could not be said of one who was "sound in sentiment."

A certain kind of thief is able to thrive only because of false sentiment in those he victimizes. Were those who thus become partners and assistants to correct their easy-going sentimentality, he would have to work as honest men do, and the world would receive a benefit from his life which now it does not receive.

For the sake of illustration a special case might be discussed. One day as a Christian Science practitioner was engaged in peaceful study, preparing himself for his sacred work, a visiting card was brought to him with the message that a pleasant looking young man wished to see him at once. For a few minutes he held the card in his hand, waiting on God for wisdom, and listening for the message of healing for the one who was seeking truth. He became instantly aware of something wrong, and of the necessity for caution on his part. When he went down to see the visitor, he found him a very suave speaker, who with glibness which betokened much practice, told of having made a long journey in order to visit his aunt, who lived in a large city not far away, and of being stranded for lack of funds when so near his destination. He said he was disappointed and mortified; but as his aunt was a Christian Scientist, he said, he felt sure that some one of that faith would help him on his way out of kindness to her, especially as the fare to the city beyond was not so very much.

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