Article August 19, 1922 Issue

Becoming a Practitioner

E. VIOLET J. DICKSEE

Probably nearly every one who begins to study Christian Science, and who has experienced its healing power, has the hope that one day he will be the means of helping others. Perhaps some of us have a feeling that the day when this will happen may be a little remote; that we still have much to learn before we shall be fitted to become what is known as a practitioner.

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 37), Mrs. Eddy says, "It is possible,—yea, it is the duty and privilege of every child, man, and woman,—to follow in some degree the example of the Master by the demonstration of Truth and Life, of health and holiness." Right from the moment we try to put into practice what we know of this truth we are practitioners in one sense of the word. But just as in every other branch of life, so it is in Christian Science, we have to begin at the beginning, and prove ourselves faithful over the few things. Some of us take a long time to learn our first lessons in obedience and practice; and others seem to shoot past us so rapidly, and leave us so far behind. But we have to remember it is not because they are especially gifted; rather, because with the acceptance of Truth there has been that wonderful childlike willingness to be obedient and to practice here and now what they understand of Truth, without any looking back after the fleshpots of Egypt, or loitering by the way. Some people hear more clearly than others the world's cry of pain, and so respond more quickly and readily to the call of Truth—the truth that makes men free.

We read in Matthew that when Jesus "saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd;" and, then, burning with that love and compassion for humanity, he turned to his disciples and said, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." And we can be laborers here and now, not at some future day only. Whatever our lot in life, wherever we are placed, we can do His work.

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