Editorial April 9, 1927 Issue

Self-Forgetfulness

Ella W. Hoag

"Self-forgetfulness , purity, and affection are constant prayers." So writes Mrs. Eddy on page 15 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." And what Christian Scientist has not longed to pray after this fashion!

Most men know that self-love and selfishness are not graces of Spirit, and men are generally quite aware that such evil qualities bring little but scorn, or, at best, pity from others. He who is absorbed in thoughts of himself even objects to the same tendency in others, since selfishness cares only to contemplate that which pertains to itself. Charles Kingsley wrote long ago: "Think about yourself, about what you want, what you like, what respect people ought to pay you, what people think of you, and then to you nothing will be pure. May God keep our hearts pure from that selfishness which is the root of all sin."

There is no doubt that while all real Christians are convinced they should rid themselves of all the evil which constitutes and inheres in selfishness, it is equally certain that men are still apparently confronted with its myriad forms, and they are still more or less questioning how they are to banish that which in their sanest, most reasonable moments they recognize as the worst of enemies to all that is good and true in themselves or in others, to all that makes for advancement in righteousness.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Self-Forgetfulness

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access