True Responsibility

ETHEL WAINRIGHT

The human mind, or carnal mind as Paul aptly termed it, is prone to burden itself by assuming a false sense of responsibility. The human assumption which claims as its own the attributes that are of divine origin alone, would rob us of man's birthright of divine reflection, thereby cutting us off from the true source of all power and blessedness.

In spite of the constant Biblical reminder, "In the beginning . . ., " how slow humanity is to realize the truth as given to the world by the prophets, by Christ Jesus, and in these later days by our dear Leader, Mary Baker Eddy—namely, that God, good, does govern and control the lives of His children! Through the knowledge of the Father as infinite divine Mind, and of man as the expression of this Mind, Christian Scientists are daily demonstrating this truth, there-by blessing both themselves and others.

One such demonstration, though small, was of great help to a student of Christian Science. She wished to call on a relative who, being sick, had been taken to her daughter's home to be cared for. The student had naturally turned her steps towards the home of the daughter, when, almost as if a voice had spoken, she became conscious that she would not find the relative there, but at the relative's own home. She obeyed the inward voice, and found this to be the case.

Such instances prove that the Biblical narratives of prophet and apostle which relate that God talked with man, are not miracles of a dispensation now past. The relation of God and man will ever be the same. The voice of God is ever speaking to the real man; but mankind, through material believing and living, allows the jarring notes of material sense to crowd out the harmonies of spiritual sense. In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy writes (p. 298 ), "As a cloud hides the sun it cannot extinguish, so false belief silences for a while the voice of immutable harmony, but false belief cannot destroy Science armed with faith, hope, and fruition." Because Jesus listened so persistently for the Father's voice, he was able throughout his wilderness experience to detect and reject each whisper of the serpent, even though it seemed to come to him in the guise of good. The victory afterwards enabled him to lift others above material sense, as in the wonderful demonstration at the tomb of Lazarus, when he proved so conclusively that the voice of Life, Truth, and Love can awaken even from the dream of death.

It is the failure of humanity to emulate his example that is accountable for the calamities which beset mankind. In Science and Health we read (pp. 325, 326 ), "A false sense of life, substance, and mind hides the divine possibilities, and conceals scientific demonstration." The evils from which humanity suffers are the result of this false sense; and while a falsity may claim to hide the ever present reality, it can never in any way destroy or diminish the power of good, nor does it exist except to the mistaken sense of the deceived.

Jesus laid no claim to a selfhood apart from God. He said, "The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." Never for an instant did the serpent's whisper, "Ye shall be as gods," deceive him. He knew that by it sin had come into the world, and that only by the repudiation of error's claim of an existence apart from God could the false be exchanged for the true, and the kingdom of heaven reign within.

His rule of life was simple. "Be ye therefore perfect," he commanded those who heard him on the mount; and these words prove how clearly he realized that man lives at perfect at-one-ment with God. Even though Jesus' statement is so profound, its full height may and must be attained finally by all, however long the way of noble endeavor and sacrifice to help and bless others may claim to be. And this is the responsibility he laid upon men. He realized that only by our perfected lives can we bless others, that words are powerless to heal or reform, if they stand alone. Mrs. Eddy writes on page 192 of Science and Health, "The good you do and embody gives you the only power obtainable."

Then let us strive that the spirit, and not merely the letter of the Word may reign in our lives, melting away the mists of material sense. Then others, as well as we ourselves, will see the celestial peaks, and be encouraged to begin the ascent away from the bondage that the carnal mind would impose upon them, up to the glorious freedom of the children of God.

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