The Goad

The word "goad," in its usually accepted sense, refers to a pointed stick used to urge an animal to greater activity. A man, as we seem to know him best, with all his appetites and weaknesses, is but a more refined animal, and often needs more urging than his kin. Although the prod in this second case may not be so groosly material and may even be entirely mental, yet its purpose is the same. Even as a man enters the world of spiritual endeavor he may still be actuated by very material motives, and only as he becomes occupied in purely spiritual attaining is the mere beacon light ahead sufficient to offset what has been, in some form or other, his constant companion. If at this point he should make an inventory of his motives he could well determine how far he has traveled on the road of eternal progress—how much more often he does right because of a worthy motive than he refrains from doing wrong because of the unhappy consequences that will ensue. He begins to understand, too, that the omnipresent God is omniactive and that there is, in fact, no other activity. The fullness of God includes complete activity.

Do we not, however, at this present stage, all seem to need more or less prodding, and principally more? Many would be indolent were it not for their so-called physical necessities. Others would be inactive were it not a matter of pride, pleasure, requirements of a family, and scores of other reasons. Would even our Christian Science textbooks be read so much and studied so faithfully by many were it not for the tenacious beliefs of some material problem?

Then there is another curious phase in this case of human nature, and that is its recognition of its own frailty, so that it often seeks a goad to compel it to right action. That man is the exception who has not said at some time or other, "Just make me do it." Then, too, he may even provide conditions that should he fail in his good intentions, he will be coerced until he returns to the desired standard.

Now if there be a universal "goad," that of the New Year may lay claim to the distinction. There is scarcely a man, or woman, or child, who has learned the difference between right and wrong, who has not taken part in resolutions, either to do or abstain from doing certain things during the coming year. Many an eloquent and sincere sermon has been based on the "clean, white page," which is not to be marred by blot, but rather to be adorned by marks of achievement in a journey heavenward. The deplorable part in this state of affairs is, that many of these resolutions are but copies of others made before in the same spirit and with equal determination that they should be kept, but are already broken. Practically the same sermons have been preached, and yet no permanent healing has come to those who in varying degree have longed so for it. Is it the method or the motive that is at fault, or is there some other reason why these conscious efforts have failed?

Mary Baker Eddy with her keen insight into human nature, with her ability to express what she sees and her fearlessness in doing so, tells us what the error is. On page 279 of "Miscellaneous Writings" she says, "It is the love of God, and not the fear of evil, that is the incentive in Science." Again we read in Miscellany (p. 357 ), "The only incentive of a mistaken sense is malicious animal magnetism,—the name of all evil,—and this must be understood." And in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 454 ): "Love for God and man is the true incentive in both healing and teaching. Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way." There it is! It is Love and Love only that heals. What is that person doing who seeks to make a goad of the New Year, other than trying to accomplish something by determination—human will power? This is aided and abetted by whatever mesmerism can be assured by fixing a time in the future when the will is to be put in operation, living perhaps in greater license in the meantime. What is the specter of the "clean, white page"? This beyond doubt is self-mesmerism or animal magnetism. It is a malicious goad of a mistaken sense. It is all wrong and does not permanently accomplish the "reform" or "healing" for which a man has been striving. To reiterate, it is but human will, which the student of Christian Science knows to be capable of all evil. The desire is good, but the means, that of self-mesmerism, which has been employed, and the seeming fact that one has not grasped the true incentive, lead away from the very Truth and Love through which the victory is to come.

Another great weakness involved in these prospective reforms is that one looks toward the future instead of recognizing the present as the time in which his healing is to be accomplished. All the good there is is to-day, now. It is not to be set in operation by and by. Good is ever operative. Of course all good is not known to human consciousness, and each one can manifest more, but this must be by unfoldment and not by flat. Although the methods that have been used are so radically wrong, being based on a misconception of the true incentive and true condition, the desire which has prompted the action should be a matter of encouragement. The striving and effort are at least a witness to the fact that man recognizes something better to be attained, though this recognition may be vague and the effort to improve futile.

So the question comes up: How can this recurring season, this universal reminder, be made a time of intelligent growth and unfoldment? Clearly it must be along the line that Mrs. Eddy indicates—through the greater realization of divine Love, that it is ever present and that it is now active. Unfoldment to-day makes possible greater unfoldment tomorrow. The present season may be made, too, the occasion for reviewing the past year. One should rejoice at some seeming dross that has been consumed, be humbly grateful for what gold has been refined, and thus gain encouragement for time to come. But should the picture of the past year look discouraging, do not bemoan that which is gone. It is better by far to follow Longfellow's admonition: "Look not mournfully into the past,—it comes not back again; wisely improve the present,—it is thine; go forth to meet the shadowy future without fear, and with a manly heart." Yes, always "wisely improve the present" and the future will unfold rightly. As the flowers open to the rain and sunshine, so do we unfold in Love, as our Leader has enjoined us. But as flowers do not grow by resolution, neither can we unfold by accepting the New Year as a goad but rather as an opportunity for unfoldment in divine presence.

Copyright, 1921, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, Falmouth and St. Paul Streets, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 11, 1918.