Editorial April 28, 1917 Issue

Why Obedience?

Archibald McLellan

From the beginning of mortal history obedience to divine law seems to have been the determining factor in the welfare both of individuals and of nations. It was disobedience that barred Adam from the garden of Eden, that made Cain a wanderer on the earth, that shut out the Israelites from the promised land; and so on down through the ages the sin of disobedience has brought its own punishment. On the other hand, the blessings promised to those who gave heed to the divine commands were multiplied. No doubt Abraham was puzzled when he believed that he was bidden to take the child of promise, from whom was to spring a great nation, to the mountain of sacrifice and there slay him for an offering to the Lord, but he obeyed even to the drawing of the sacrificial knife; and then his hand was stayed because he had proved his loyalty, had shown himself worthy of the blessings that were to be heaped upon him.

On no one thing does the fulfilment of the mission of Christian Science more closely depend than this same obedience to divine law. Because it is Science it is not only exact but it is exacting. Based on that fundamental law, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," and the mandate which sums up the Sermon on the Mount, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them," obedience to its teachings can but procure the same blessing today as when Jesus said to the lawyer who had questioned him, "This do, and thou shalt live." In other words, he who seeks to order his daily walk and conversation by these primary laws of being, thereby ensures to himself that sense of divine protection which knows that, whether waking or sleeping, there is no evil to fear, for Truth, Life, and Love is omnipotent and ever present.

To those who have known no other than material beliefs as a means of succor in times of pain and anguish, it seems incredible that reliance upon God alone is sufficient to heal every sense of human suffering. But the Christian Scientist knows he can put his trust in no other than the one God; that to temporize with doctors and material remedies is to forfeit the right to protection,—to the blessing which waits on obedience. He knows that whatever the time or circumstance divine Love is available for his every need. All that is necessary is to cling fast to what he knows of the all-power of Truth. As Mrs. Eddy counsels, "Let neither fear nor doubt overshadow your clear sense and calm trust, that the recognition of life harmonious—as Life eternally is—can destroy any painful sense of, or belief in, that which Life is not" (Science and Health, p. 495), and the victory over error of every sort is assured.

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