Article April 26, 1924 Issue

Opportunity

KATE HOLT

When one begins to study the truth and measure events by the standards of Christian Science, it is soon learned that opportunity is one of the good things that is always at hand. Error always claims to counterfeit good, and so-called mortal mind appears to set up temptation as an imitator of opportunity, assuming presence, power, and activity.

This became clear to a young student of Christian Science. When under great provocation to express ill-temper, she suddenly saw that here was an opportunity to reverse this effort of evil and prove that love "is not easily provoked." Again, upon hearing some useless gossip, she saw that the temptation to repeat it was an opportunity to keep silent, and let the error die for want of circulation. Following this came a temptation to believe the testimony of the material senses when sickness appeared; and again was found an opportunity to prove the presence and power of Truth to destroy error.

At a Wednesday evening meeting, when the opportunity is afforded those present to give "experiences, testimonies, and remarks on Christian Science" (Manual, p. 122), temptation often seems to be there as a usurper of the place of opportunity. As it said to Moses of old, it says to the present-day Scientist, "I am not eloquent. ... I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue." We read that the Lord said to Moses, "I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say." Giving a testimony is an act; and every act has a motive. Our Leader has given "A Rule for Motives and Acts" on page 40 of the Manual, in which we read that "divine Love alone governs man." The fear of criticism can always be silenced and annulled by gratitude for the constantly recurring opportunity for the mid-week meeting in which the beneficiaries of Christian Science may be witnesses to the truth that makes free. In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 249), our Leader says, "Improve every opportunity to correct sin through your own perfectness."

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