Article January 21, 1922 Issue

Restrain Your Ardor

MONTAGUE BERKELEY COLE

Some time ago the writer heard a sermon preached on the necessity for restraining one's human sense of ardor, and this strain of thought, so unlike usual denominationalism, made a deep impression, although the reason why it did so was not apparent until it was seen in the light of Christian Science. Because the statement was so truly metaphysical, as now seen, it appealed to an inquiring mind that has since, through the teachings of Christian Science, learned to analyze thought and discern true demand.

Without discernment of the true activity of Principle all human effort, no matter how ardent the advocate, contains an element of obstruction. One may labor without stint for a cause that presents itself as economically or politically advantageous, until one is exhausted with the physical effort and wearied with the mental strain, only to arrive at a result that an understanding of Principle must dissolve first from human consciousness in order to bring out the unerring activity of Principle. This weariness and misspent energy could have been spared through the sound judgment of Mind piercing the ardor of human efficiency, for as Mrs. Eddy has pointed out in her textbook of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 519): "God rests in action. Imparting has not impoverished, can never impoverish, the divine Mind."

Ardor in its human sense is zeal, and zeal unrestrained by Principle is defined by Mrs. Eddy as "Blind enthusiasm; mortal will" (Science and Health, p. 599), which is what Paul called zeal "not according to knowledge," for the pursuing of any activity without a knowledge of God as Principle always defeats its own end. The unknown friend who hurled this great truth from his pulpit was, as is evident, a man with a vision greater than his dogma or creed, and one whose ministry is sure to reap reward because of that fact. This man undoubtedly had learned that human endeavor was a pitfall to those, and by reason of those, who let their ardor be untempered through divine guidance, or the "zeal of the Lord of hosts," that Isaiah prophesied was to perform the works of "The Prince of Peace."

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