Article October 3, 1925 Issue

Joyous Service

ALMA MARIE SWENSON

October is frequently spoken of as the gypsy month of the year. But those who entertain such an opinion look no farther than its gorgeous color array. The gypsy month October may be in appearance, but it is far from being that in spirit. The blazing sumac trees, the golden hillsides where the maple leaves have fallen, "mist on the far horizon"—these are the tokens by which it is recognized. One who sees the gayety of this beauty may decide that it is a season for pleasure, and for pleasure only. Why is this? Is it not because mankind is accustomed to associate gayety with idleness and pleasure? Consequently, when they behold the golden beauty of October, they conclude that this month has naught to do with the serious and the practical.

However, the truth is quite otherwise; for is not October properly the commissary of the year? No other month provides so varied and prodigal a harvest, or one so hardy, so well suited for long keeping.

How often the Master turned to nature for illustrations of the lessons that he taught! Is there not such a lesson to be found in the month of October—the lesson of joyous service so often brought home by Christ Jesus? Christian Science comes to this age with the reiteration of this message of the Master. How deep-rooted, however, has seemed to become the thought that more of joy is to be found in self-seeking pleasure than in work, in service! The reason for this is that mankind does not understand the true nature of service. Only where there is this lack of understanding can service be grudgingly given. A right understanding of activity lifts men above dependence upon matter.

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