Editorial October 19, 1929 Issue

Using What We Know

Violet Ker Seymer

Lest it be inferred from Jesus' saying, "The kingdom of God is within you," that one has nothing to do but to accept this kingdom of God, good, passively, the conscientious study of the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew, together with the study of our Leader's twenty-six references to this chapter given in the index to the Scriptural quotations in the Concordances to her works, must needs awaken one to reject this lethargic interpretation of the carnal mind. In this chapter, which includes the parables of the ten virgins and the ten talents, it appears that our Master was rebuking weakness, laziness, envious comparison, and self-justification and that he was making a rousing appeal for increased alertness, selfless service, and bona fide demonstration.

On page 323 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy writes, "In order to apprehend more, we must put into practice what we already know." And she adds, "If 'faithful over a few things,' we shall be made rulers over many; but the one unused talent decays and is lost." Every alert and active student of Christian Science is more unselfish, more useful, and happier than formerly, because he is using what he knows of God, good, to conquer the lie of evil in thought, word, and deed. He is resisting the tendency to run quickly to a Christian Science practitioner to make his demonstrations for him, when his own understanding is equal to the task in hand. He utilizes his own divine gifts, and is not too ready a borrower of another's oil, another's consecration and spiritual understanding.

That individual who devotes time to his study and demonstration of Christian Science multiplies his understanding through utilizing it, whereas any slothfulness or undue leaning upon another retards one's own growth. On this point it is equally essential that the advancing student of Christian Science should neither lean nor allow himself to be leaned upon unless, at times, circumstances render it wise to call for another's help and support. Only as each one claims his own meed of consecration, courage, unselfed love, perseverance, and joy can he shed materiality and go forth to meet the bridegroom, the spiritual understanding of man in God's likeness, as did the five wise virgins.

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