Article October 1, 1927 Issue

Paying Our Vow

AMY FARISS

Possibly deep down in the heart of each of us who has been wonderfully healed through Christian Science, there lies a sacred vow. In that first tender hour of coming face to face with the gracious mystery of holiness, this vow may have found expression in words; or it may be a silent promise that henceforth, in payment for our new-found freedom, one's very life shall be given to the Cause of Christian Science. Among the children of Israel the custom of making and paying vows held an important place. In Psalms there are many references to paying vows to God; and in Job we read, "Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows." Mrs. Eddy reminds us in our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 450), that "the Christian Scientist has enlisted to lessen evil, disease, and death."

To the glory of Christian Science we see, all along the way, those faithful ones whose sacred vow shines in eyes and countenance. Hour by hour, day by day, year by year, they tread loyally on, rejoicing in the blessed privilege that opportunity is given them for payment of their vow. They owe God all; and they give God all. The warmth of their vow never grows cold; it is as a living flame that keeps aglow those lovely attributes, gratitude and thanksgiving. A prelude to their every thought might well be, "So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows." Perhaps not all of us realize the value of the singing of praises in enabling us to pay our vows.

Whether or not we are heralds of the morning, like the faithful ones of the Psalmist's days, if we keep our vision clear there will be many opportunities for each of us to pay a part at least of his obligation. The Psalmist says, "My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him." Our Wednesday evening testimony meetings afford this privilege of paying our vow before our congregation. This is a beautiful and practical way of giving both to God and to men, giving the main thing of which the world stands in need—the proof that God is, and that He is a "very present help in trouble." In all right, faithful work within our church and out, we are paying our vows. At times the flame within us may seem to burn low; but while we go forth unselfishly to our task, this light can never be extinguished; and sooner or later it will flame up afresh. Innumerable ways will present themselves in which to pay our, oh, so precious debt!

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