Editorial February 16, 1924 Issue

"The song of Christian Science"

Ella W. Hoag

What song means to most men could scarcely have been portrayed more clearly than by a certain poet when he tells us that "the land of song" lies in the glorious world of God within us; while another speaks of song as "the speech of angels." It has been in song that men have been wont to express their deepest feelings, their highest aspirations. Songs have gone with them through trial and through victory, encouraging them when hope wavered, expressing their joy and gratitude when good has triumphed. It is therefore not strange that our beloved Leader should have spoken definitely of "the song of Christian Science."

On page 2 of her Message to The Mother Church for 1900, Mrs. Eddy wrote, "The song of Christian Science is, 'Work—work—work—watch and pray.'" Herein she presented the primal necessities for the demonstration of this Science; and it was surely natural she should have referred to them as a "song." Full well she knew that it was only as those necessities were held "in the land of song,"—in God's glorious world within us, within our present possibilities,—where His angels are ever present to guide, guard, encourage, strengthen, that the inspiration could be gained and maintained which would be sufficient to fulfill the deep demands of "the song of Christian Science."

Human belief has not been in the habit of calling work a song; and when the work has led to more work, and then to yet more, even though it may have been begun as a song, the singing has been apt to grow fainter and fainter, until it has often disappeared altogether, and in its place has come sad complaint. Weariness has resulted, and the work has either dragged hopelessly or ceased entirely. All this is because suppositional mortal mind is inherently lazy and is always crying out for inaction, which it calls rest. Christian Science, however, shows plainly that there is no possible satisfaction in a lack of activity. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 240) Mrs. Eddy tells us, "If at present content with idleness, we must become dissatisfied with it;" in the Church Manual (Art. XVII, Sect. 1) she says: "Amusement or idleness is weariness. Truth and Love rest the weary and heavy laden."

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