Article February 21, 1920 Issue

The Unfolding of Character

MARY TUTTLE MASON

When one begins to be interested in Christian Science it is a great help to hear or read of others who have had experiences similar to his own. It increases confidence to know that with the aid of this Science others have been able to rise somewhat above material beliefs and have commenced to understand the power of good. Through the study of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, the student is enabled to interpret the Bible spiritually. In so doing there is found a similarity between the experiences of the Scriptural characters and his own. It is indeed encouraging to learn what those men and women accomplished. The earnest seeker after the truth is filled with assurance that what one has done another may do. He can go his way rejoicing, confident of the omnipotence of God. In reading the Bible, each receives the help he needs. No one can fully interpret the Scriptures for another, yet what one has received helps all.

In studying the character of Moses it is found that his viewpoint at first was material. Having been reared in the court of an oriental monarch who was tyrannical and unjust, it is not surprising that Moses believed that material might and power were right. With the mistaken notion that good can come from evil, he started his career with a deed of violence and secrecy. He soon learned that killing a mortal did not lessen evil conditions; but that the thought which caused the conditions must be changed. When this was revealed to him, he believed himself helpless to alter the conditions. He therefore was filled with fear and fled. Those who are searching for the truth probably have had similar experiences; they were submerged in their beliefs of material living; they sought release from their bonds by material means, and as they wrestled with the inharmonious condirtions and received no relief, they were filled with fear and despair. It was then that they were forced to turn to Truth for help.

Moses fled into Midian, which means strife. He left his old surroundings, but was unable to find peace until he began to understand the power of good. He therefore had risen in a measure from the belief in material power when he rescued the daughters of the priest of Midian. At that time Moses repulsed the shepherds but did not try to slay them as he had the Egyptian. This deed of kindness shows that he was expressing more good and was losing some of the material impressions that he had received from his years of living in Pharaoh's household. The fuller realization of spirituality was becoming apparent to him, and in that degree he was reflecting God. Thus when the student commences to read Science and Health and is helped to flee from, avoid and cast out, some of the old beliefs, there may not be harmony at first, for there appears to be strife between the old beliefs and the new thoughts that are flooding his consciousness. As more of the truth is understood, however, the old fear and doubt decrease and it is learned that the only power that evil can even seem to have is the power that mortals give it.

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