Article March 23, 1929 Issue

Through Obedience to Inspiration

ANNE CLEVELAND CHENEY

Experience has proved to many that what is begun perfunctorily may often radiate into a quickened, inspired sense of Truth's power and expression. A subtle and defrauding argument of error is the plea that if we cannot definitely and daily handle certain claims of evil for ourselves, for another, or for a cause, with a sense of spontaneity, we had better not do so at all until we reach a more exalted mental state. Yet our great Leader, Mrs. Eddy, clearly points to the need of systematic work on the student's part, in her inspiring article, "Exemplification," in "Retrospection and Introspection" (pp. 86–92). And she says, in her Message to The Mother Church for 1900 (p. 9), "Sincerity is more successful than genius or talent." Therefore we may conclude that the sincerity of a humble, obedient effort will not go unrewarded or remain static, for erelong what seemed to start somewhat perfunctorily will be aglow with spiritual intuition and the radiance of Love's own kindling.

Error appears to keep very busy to make us idle, to swing us farther and farther away from the spiritual realm and divine Love's appointed task, sending many a foxy little argument into the fair vineyard of our human endeavors to destroy, at the very roots, our upward growing aims and affections. To this end the arguments may also appear as insistent, apparently well-meaning "little foxes," in order to gain access to the vineyard and not be discovered and routed before they have nibbled away the vitality of, and caused to sag and droop in the dust of materiality, that which we are training heavenward.

In the Bible, how many great achievements we find were preceded by halting doubt, which was overcome by humble obedience to the divine call! How persistently error tried to withhold Moses from his appointed task! How shall I speak? How will they know? Send someone worthier! And so on, through the twistings and twinings of mortal mind's plea of how not to obey the divine call!

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