Editorial July 12, 1919 Issue

Life Manages Itself

William P. McKenzie

The important thing to consider is always life. Though the gardener sow the seed, plant the vine, or transplant the tree, how it grows he cannot explain, though he perfectly well knows what happens. He can help growth but he cannot manage it. The law of life in this respect was set forth by Jesus when he said: "A good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes." Concerning mortal mind he asked, "Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" But is not this just what mortal minds perpetually try to do and as a consequence there are wounded hands and weary and disappointed hearts?

When Moses set before the people the inevitable choice he said, "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." He made clear that obedience to the various commands which had been given and to all the words of the law was important, saying, "For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life." When actions accord with the inner sense of loving obedience to God we become able to understand the proverb which says, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life."

We are helped very much in our endeavor to be obedient to right-mindedness, which expresses itself in right living, by the example of others. Many a man will say that he was kept from evil at certain points because he remembered his mother's life or his father's example. The force of this influence was not transmitted by precept. It was not arrangement or management or correction which accomplished the result. It was the fact that life affects life, and truth calls for truth, and love arouses responsive love. It is in this way that the example of Christ Jesus leads mankind into a right understanding of true living. In "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 270) Mrs. Eddy asks: "Shall we depart from the example of the Master in Christian Science, Jesus of Nazareth,—than whom mankind hath no higher ideal?" Then she says: "To seek or employ other means than those the Master used in demonstrating Life scientifically, is to lose the priceless knowledge of his Principle and practice." And she further adds: "We cannot depart from his holy example,—we cannot leave Christ for the schools which crucify him, and yet follow him in healing. Fidelity to his precepts and practice is the only passport to his power; and the pathway of goodness and greatness runs through the modes and methods of God."

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