Article July 3, 1920 Issue

Progress and Experience

HAROLD MOLTER

ON page 296 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy writes, "Progress is born of experience." Salvation is not a gift which may be had for the asking. It involves one's past as well as the future, and in working out his salvation the pilgrim on earth must profit from his past experience. He must learn to know man as God's own child, and to examine his every act, his every thought, in the light of eternal Truth. To mortal consciousness, steeped in the materialism of its selfish idols, the command, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me [God, good]," comes as a shock, and involves in many an instance pain and discomfort, doubt and despair; but Love tenderly and patiently guides the right desire, and through the valley of humility and self-abnegation the feeble steps are led onward and upward into the height where the morning stars sing together and the omnipotence of our God is manifested in strength, beauty, and holiness.

The chastening of Love calls for the surrender of all material beliefs, and the Christian Scientist, as he proceeds in the study and practice of the Science of being, has much to learn. The poet tells us that heaven cannot be reached at a single bound; here is a thought to be considered. When David slew the Philistine, it was not with the first shot which had ever left his sling. He had served an apprenticeship in the mountain while tending his father's sheep. Can we not see the shepherd boy, gaining confidence as he warded off the enemies of the flock, until because of his faith in God he was able with the aid of a small sling to slay the lion and the bear? This was a revelation to the boy dwelling far away from the battles of men. It was a proof to him of God's omnipotence, a demonstration of the power of right over wrong, and a reward for the faithfulness with which David had prepared himself against the evil day. Greater work and larger usefulness lay before him when he was sent down to the army of Israel, which trembled and was sore afraid at the challenge of error in the form of Goliath. Even then the jealousy and contempt of mortal error were made manifest toward David, when he appeared to his brethren. At that moment the wrath of his eldest brother was kindled against this messenger of God; but surmounting all these obstacles David went forth unafraid, knowing that God was with him, and as he said in his own words to Goliath, "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts."

May we learn the import of the great lesson contained in this beautiful story. May we be willing to learn in the mountains, while patiently guarding the sheep—the thoughts of love and innocence; may we be fortifying and strengthening ourselves by daily practice of the truth as it is unfolded to us; may we be willing and eager to perfect ourselves with the first revealings of the truth, thus trying patiently to use and make this understanding our own; and may we not be found wanting when we are called to larger usefulness and service on the battle fields of mortal consciousness. One by one we lay the stones of the foundation of the house, and we should be watchful to build with thoughts of good alone. Here again the process is gradual. Our beloved Leader has given us a noble example to follow in her patient, courageous, and triumphant career, in which she demonstrated step by step the truth of her own statement, "Christianity is again demonstrating the Life that is Truth, and the Truth that is Life" (Science and Health, p. 97). Jesus the Christ demonstrated, each step of the way from Bethlehem to Calvary, the power of Truth over error and the triumph of Love over hate. He who would be a follower of the Master must follow in his footsteps.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Willingness to Accept the Truth