Article March 9, 1918 Issue

The Present Moment

HECTOR WALLACE SMITH

"What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." These scientific words recorded in Mark's gospel were uttered by our Master on a memorable occasion when he spoke privately to Peter, James, John, and Andrew as he sat upon the Mount of Olives foretelling the signs which would come to pass on the destruction of the temple. He was admonishing them against sleeping—against the prevalent mesmerism of the day. In the very next chapter we read that three times he found them asleep while in the garden of Gethsemane, and asked of Peter, "Couldest not thou watch one hour?"

No one understood better the real significance of our Lord's warning than did our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, who placed the Master's words respecting watchfulness at the beginning of the Christian Science Sentinel; and are not these words to-day of vital importance to Christian Scientists and every one else? To watch does not mean that we are to be alert at stated intervals, or occasionally as there may seem need, but at every moment to maintain the law of Truth, for Mrs. Eddy admonishes us, "Christian Scientists, be a law to yourselves that mental malpractice cannot harm you either when asleep or when awake" (Science and Health, p. 442) . As we nightly lay ourselves down for repose, our prayerful declaration of the truth about God and man will, in proportion as it is realized, assure us that the everlasting arms of divine Love afford protection during slumber, and thus enable us to awaken in the morning feeling refreshed and renewed in strength. The psalmist tells us, "Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep."

Upon reflection we come to see that all we really possess is the consciousness of the present moment in which to think and to act. It has been said that yesterday is always past and to-morrow never comes, because every day is just to-day to each one of us. How important therefore is the eternal now for which personal sense tries to substitute time. In human experience it seems to be the seconds which really count as of momentous value to us, for the hours and even the minutes can be left to look after themselves, as it were, provided we exercise our vigilance upon that present moment which is, as has been pointed out, the only thing we seemingly are able to count upon as our very own.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Poem
Immanuel
March 9, 1918
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit