Article November 23, 1918 Issue

Opportunity

H. A. RODEE

Every great cause furnishes enlarged opportunities for individual service. The cause of American independence, the antislavery cause, the temperance cause from its inception, each furnished to the people of its generation an opportunity for active service which broadened the vision and enriched the lives of those who improved it. So to-day the cause of Christian Science, greater because more spiritual than any of those enumerated, is presenting greater opportunity for usefulness, with correspondingly greater rewards. The program of Christian Science includes all true reform, whether in the realm of religion, education, politics, sociology, economics, therapeutics, judicature, or penology; but to bring this program to fruition requires unceasing effort on the part of its adherents.

So widespread has the movement become that there is danger of overlooking the opportunity near at hand in contemplating the work in distant fields. We read of what is being done to advance the cause in other localities and in other countries, and are apt to lapse into a state of self-complacence at the progress that is being made. As a matter of fact such reports are cause for gratification but not for cessation from activity. The important question for each one to ask is, What am I doing? Each day opportunities come to the Christian Scientists to render some service to the cause, and who can say to himself that he improves them to the utmost? It may be that the lapse is in the form of nonattendance at the regular services or the business meetings of the church, or failure to realize the significance of the statement of our Leader that "testimony in regard to the healing of the sick is highly important" (Manual, Art. VIII, Sect. 24); or of another statement by her (Art. VIII, Sect. 14) as to "the privilege and duty" of subscribing for the periodicals; it may be neglect to make effective use of the periodicals after they have been read; it may be the withholding of funds needed to carry on the work of the local organization or the activities of The Mother Church. In any event, an opportunity to advance the cause of Christian Science has been allowed to pass, and the individual himself has suffered a distinct loss. Without understanding the reason, he may wonder why his progress is so slow.

A lady turned to Christian Science for physical healing. She was under the care of a practitioner for some time without receiving the needed help. She then turned to another practitioner, but without success; then a third practitioner was visited, to whom a detailed bill of complaint was poured out because the patient had spent so mush time and money on Christian Science and it had done nothing for her. The practitioner swept aside all the plaintive arguments with the question, "What have you done for Christian Science?" This turned thought from self to service, resulting in a speedy healing and an earnest worker in the field of Christian Science.

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