Article January 14, 1928 Issue

Humility

KATHERINE ENGLISH

The life of Jesus of Nazareth is one continuous example of true humility. As an obedient child, an intelligent and teachable boy growing in favor with God and with men, through the overcoming of the temptation of Satan to use his undoubted gifts of mind and person for self-glorification in the kingdoms of this world, he advanced in the understanding of the allness of God and of man's oneness with the Father. Before such understanding as this, pride always shrinks away abashed. How Jesus longed to draw all men to the source of the mental peace which he enjoyed, as when he said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"! There is no true rest without humility. Only to those who are meek and lowly in heart can the Christly rest come.

The revelation of Christian Science came to Mrs. Eddy because she possessed the sense of humility which attributes all power to God, and knows that man has nothing but what he reflects from God. Possibly using the illustration of the phoenix, that fabulous bird which, destroyed by fire, ever rises again from its ashes, she says: "Humility is the stepping-stone to a higher recognition of Deity. The mounting sense gathers fresh forms and strange fire from the ashes of dissolving self, and drops the world" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 1). And on page 356 she also says, "Humility is lens and prism to the understanding of Mind-healing; it must be had to understand our textbook; it is indispensable to personal growth, and points out the chart of its divine Principle and rule of practice." Those who have already gained somewhat of this virtue before knowing anything of the letter of Christian Science are they of whom the Bible thus speaks: "The humble shall hear thereof, and be glad." These are ready for the higher recognition of God, joyfully accept it, and receive the blessing of healing. They do not defend their former views, but rather turn from them to the glorious spiritual vision opening before their eyes.

One of the last acts of Jesus before he went to his betrayal was to exemplify to his disciples the necessity of humility, exhorting them to follow him in deed. It is only the beloved disciple John who records the lovely story of Jesus' washing the feet of his disciples, although the Master knew that those very feet would run from him in his hour of trial. We have to follow Jesus' example in every particular. Even if we rarely, if ever, have the opportunity of literally obeying his commandment in this respect, yet the spirit of it is as binding as ever it was. No service is too lowly for the Christian Scientist to render; our ministration must be given to all. We must humbly endeavor to remove the stains of earth and the dust of materiality from the understanding of those we love; and as our love includes all mankind, so we must stand ready to serve all with the same unwavering tenderness. As Jesus laid aside his garments and girded himself with a towel, so must we lay aside our own tastes, convenience, traditions, habits, and be clothed with humility before we can serve God by helping and comforting mankind. When Jesus came to wash the feet of Peter, the latter shrank at first from the honor; then he begged that his hands and his head might be washed also. Jesus, however, gently told him that this was unnecessary, probably implying that if the understanding or foundation of thought is pure all that one touches or thinks is pure also.

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