Article July 22, 1922 Issue

Perfect Example

MAY BELCHER

In studying the textbook of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, we can often obtain great help and illumination from the marginal headings. In that wonderful chapter entitled "Atonement and Eucharist," we find on page 20 the marginal heading "Perfect example;" and in reading the whole passage to which it refers, the writer gained a broader view than ever before of the real meaning of atonement. Often we seem to be tempted to fall back, quite unconsciously, into the false theological idea of atonement, and to look upon it as a work which was confined to Jesus alone, and in which we have little active part; but the following words, quoted on the page above mentioned, "With his stripes [the rejection of error] we are healed," have a very practical meaning for each one of us, pointing out, as they do, the way in which Christ Jesus becomes our example.

Sometimes, when the way seems long and difficult, and the onslaughts of mortal beliefs are unusually hard to bear, we look upon the experience we are passing through, or the work we are called upon to do, as simply a personal problem; and, so, we lose sight of the broader, grander work for humanity, in which it is our privilege to be taking part. When this narrow, personal view of our work assails us, we become discouraged, and even apathetic. We think how much easier and more worth while it would be to work for some one else than for ourselves; and we do not see how by that very admission we are going against the example of the Way-shower, Christ Jesus, and also of the fundamental teachings of Christian Science. By so doing we are considering evil as a person, a place, or a thing, and not seeing the impersonal and unreal nature of every false belief.

Jesus knew better than any other one has known the error of human belief. He knew how it claims to be a sick or sinful person; but he always met that temptation with the truth of being. He saw himself and all as the perfect reflection of perfect God; and with "his stripes"—his faithful and untiring rejection of every phase of error—"we are healed." He brought the great truth of man's at-one-ment with God to a suffering world; and we are to follow him in this work to-day. When we overcome evil either for ourselves or for others, we should not think of the work as having been done in a narrow or personal way, but for the sake of all humanity. We all long to be able to do something more which will bring healing and comfort to the weary and heavy laden. If the opportunity came to us of making some big sacrifice which we knew would bring about a sorely needed social reform, few would shrink from the ordeal, but we often fail to recognize that such opportunity is ours now; it is here at our hand, if we will only awaken to our responsibilities and privileges.

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