Article March 31, 1923 Issue

The True Fisherman and the God-filled Net

GRACE M. PUTNAM

TO his first disciples Jesus said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men;" and they left all and followed him. In the years that ensued, years of marvelous unfoldment and rich experience, they learned something of what it meant to be fishers of men. They saw the sick healed, the sinner reformed, the dead raised, the elements controlled, the multitudes fed through the power of the divine Word; and yet, so densely material was the thought of that period that at first they failed to grasp the great truth underlying all the Master's work. Personality was one of the weakest strands in the disciples' nets; and not until, having toiled all night with no success, they heard the loving advice, "Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find," did they wake to the true significance of the Master's teaching. Their eyes were then opened to see that seeking "first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness," is casting the net on the right side; and that "all these things shall be added unto you" was illustrated by the full net.

Our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, says in our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 271), "Those, who are willing to leave their nets or to cast them on the right side for Truth, have the opportunity now, as aforetime, to learn and to practise Christian healing." As with the disciples of old, so now, humility and obedience must be the first steps. Are we willing to leave all to follow Christ, Truth,—all our self-will and human planning, our sense of personal accomplishment of leadership, our worship of money and what it seems to bring of merely material comfort, our pride in intellectuality or heredity? These are some of the strands that make our nets weak. Let us turn to the Master for guidance. With wonder at his humility we read, "I can of mine own self do nothing." To the one who would have bowed to his personality Jesus said, "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." He pointed out the purity and receptiveness of the child-thought as the requisite for spiritual understanding, and the necessity of denying the demands of matter, if we would follow him and become fishers of men.

With humble, obedient thought, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, prepared her net for her work as a fisherman. She saw to it that it was woven together with the cords of divine intelligence and wisdom, and unselfed love. Then she cast her net forth, and left it for God to fill, well knowing that it would gather in all who were struggling in the tempestuous waters of sin, sickness, sorrow, discouragement, fear, or lack, and bring them back safely to the shore,—to the feet of the Christ.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
Opportunity
March 31, 1923
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit