Article April 28, 1923 Issue

"With patience"

JESSIE BALFOUR ELLIS

ON page 265 of "Miscellaneous Writings," our Leader declares: "My teachings are uniform. Those who abide by them do well. If others, who receive the same instruction, do ill, the fault is not in the culture but the soil." In the experience of some well-meaning and earnest students of Christian Science, there are times when their progress seems unaccountably slow, while it appears to them that others, with no more assiduity, achieve much greater results. In such cases, our Leader's teaching would indicate that it behooves us to inquire, What is the matter with the soil?

Every student of Christian Science knows that his victories must be won in the realm of thought; or, to adopt the symbolism which Jesus used, the Word of God, which reveals the truth of being, can bring forth the fruit of demonstration only when it falls into good ground, ground prepared for its reception. Our Master said that "in an honest and good heart" those who have heard the Word, "keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." The good soil, then, is right thinking, the motives whence our actions spring.

Of the three evangelists who record this teaching of Jesus, Luke alone adds the words "with patience," but their inclusion in the exposition of this beautiful parable is very full of meaning. For, even after it has been prepared, the soil needs much attention in order that the good seed may not be choked; and close watch must be kept that no weeds take root in it. Here, as always, however, if we will follow our Way-shower, Christ Jesus, we shall find that his yoke is easy, and that the task is not so arduous as to forbid the certainty of success.

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