Article September 18, 1926 Issue

Humility

EDITH M. TURNER

Jesus prefaced his Sermon on the Mount with certain precepts called Beatitudes—rules of conduct necessary to the so-called human mind preparatory to its yielding to spiritual Truth. The Beatitudes, starting with humility, reveal different stages of thought which unfold in orderly sequence. "Blessed are the poor in spirit; for their's is the kingdom of heaven." This indicates clearly that God requires the humble thought as the first step in one's progress Spiritward. Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, also saw the need for this mental attitude; for she writes in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 354), "Experience shows that humility is the first step in Christian Science, wherein all is controlled, not by man or laws material, but by wisdom, Truth, and Love."

What is humility? Is it a mental quality through the use of which we shall be deprived of our initiative and perhaps of our individuality? This is a general belief of the world. True humility, however, is not submission to the opinions and desires of others, merely as such, but is the surrender of the so-called human will to the divine will. it was humility which enabled Jesus to say, "I can of mine own self do nothing;" and again, "The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." And with this understanding of God's power he overcame sin, disease, and death. The great gift to this age—Christian Science—was accomplished because its Discoverer and Founder, Mrs. Eddy, was humble enough to listen for the voice of God. On page ix of the Preface to "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" she says, "To-day, though rejoicing in some progress, she [the author] still finds herself a willing disciple at the heavenly gate, waiting for the Mind of Christ."

To let go of our human inclinations and desires, in order that the understanding of God may enter consciousness, is the great lesson to be learned; and sharp experiences are sometimes necessary to show us the falsity of belief in an intelligence apart from the one Mind, God, educated as we have been to believe in the human intellect as an entity. This uncovering is necessary, however, as the so-called human intellect, unsubdued by Truth, is a great obstacle in our path toward spirituality, because it encourages and fosters the carnal beliefs of pride and arrogance, thereby shutting out humility and obedience, those spiritual virtues through which we approach the light of spiritual understanding.

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