Article November 28, 1925 Issue

Service

BETHEL GILLIAM

The average person who turns to Christian Science does so in anticipation of the good he hopes or expects to receive. As time goes on, however, and he partakes of the blessings that come flowing into his life through this new-old truth, he begins to realize that there is something on his part to be done, that genuine gratitude is best expressed in deeds, or in service. The question then arises as to what he can do to aid in bringing Christian Science to the attention of mankind. He has already learned that putting what he understands of Truth into practice in his daily life is the first essential. Then come the orderly steps of progress, which eventually bring him into membership in the church organization. There he finds that church membership provides opportunity for more specific service to the Cause; and he rejoices in the realization that he is thus enabled to have a part in bringing good to others.

As the student continues, and is called upon to perform higher tasks, he may at times feel somewhat alarmed at the claims of evil that come so forcibly to his attention. A little analysis, however, will serve to eliminate the temptation to become discouraged. Both the Bible and the writings of Mrs. Eddy make plain that the process of assimilating the truth, whereby false beliefs are stirred up and brought to the surface to be destroyed, is not altogether a pleasant one to human sense. The Scriptures declare that "on whomsoever it [truth] shall fall, it will grind him to powder." Not only is the student required to eliminate the errors that seem to be a part of his own thinking, but many times, also, to meet and master the errors that seem to operate through others.

While the period of purification and demonstration may often seem trying, yet what a comfort it is to know that this very process is gradually eliminating all that is worthless and perishable, while all that is good and enduring is becoming established in thought and experience! Surely such a goal is worth striving for. Mrs. Eddy has given us a comforting thought in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 19), where she says: "He who has named the name of Christ, who has virtually accepted the divine claims of Truth and Love in divine Science, is daily departing from evil; and all the wicked endeavors of suppositional demons can never change the current of that life from steadfastly flowing on to God, its divine source."

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