Article December 17, 1921 Issue

Persistency

MARTIN WACHS

There is not a single God-like quality but can be found to be simply and fittingly illustrated among the pages of the Bible. Not only is this accomplished in one specific way, or in a single narration, but in an infinite variety of ways. The reason for such a collection of writings as the Bible consists of, is that there may be unfolded to all who seek to know and worship God, the Father of all, "in spirit and in truth," the unchanging relationship of Mind to all that is Mind's. Some of these lessons may perhaps seem to be more readily understood than others, yet the fact remains that every single characteristic of the one and only Mind may be found to be depicted with care and certainty in this Book of books. So it is that all who earnestly strive to walk in the paths of righteousness may learn to know Principle and His idea, the perfect man, who fully expresses Spirit, God, reflecting infinite Mind. One of these qualities of thought, which is highly essential to all who fight the good fight for the realization of the brotherhood of man on earth, is persistency.

A simple and yet vivid account of steadfastness, constancy, firmness, and tenacity of purpose may be found in the second chapter of II Kings. Elijah, having found Elisha ready to receive whatever was needful for the work he was to do, lifting his fellow men out of ignorance and darkness into a clearer perception of the one God, undertook to teach him what he had learned. So it was that they were constant companions, lived with one another, and had a bond of common understanding. At one point, however, he indicated to Elisha that he wished to be left alone, saying, "Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Bethel." To this request Elisha replied, "As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee." This was repeated after they went down to Bethel. Here the sons of the prophets added their plea to that of Elijah, saying, "Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from thy head to-day?" All that came of this was to the effect that Elisha saw the situation from a spiritual rather than a material standpoint and desired to be left to work out the problem with God, and not with men.

At Jericho the same method of persuasion was used to induce Elisha to part from Elijah, yet he remained unmoved, actuated solely by a singleness of purpose which had as its basis his desire to learn what was essential to his spiritual welfare. He therefore was unwilling to forsake what he clearly perceived to be his duty to God and man. Again, when they came to the river Jordan, Elisha was once more tested as to his fidelity, his tenacity of purpose. With persistency, undeterred by any and all the arguments which would militate against his noble motive to see more clearly than ever what he must have felt was in store for him if he continued his course with patience and meekness, unwearied and without wavering he repeated his former answer. This indicated that he would not allow anything whatever to interfere with the revelation which was soon to be manifested to him.

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