Following the Way-shower

Violet Ker Seymer

Supposing one were traversing a dense wood at night, frightened at shadows, startled by perplexing sounds, fearful of snares, would it not be definitely encouraging and reassuring if a wise and calm companion were walking just ahead of one, all the way? Halted by sudden fear, or even tempted to turn back, would not one quickly look to see what the friend leading the way was doing? He had passed by that same place undismayed; hence there was evidently no danger, nor even fear of danger. So one would press confidingly on in his firm footsteps.

Christ Jesus is mankind's friend, and the redeemer of all who follow in his way—the spiritual way. His was always the way of forgiveness, steadfastness, confidence, wisdom, courage, dominion, triumph ; the way of health, strength, tireless love, peace, and joy. Faced with his constant expression of these divine characteristics, all evil suggestions and temptations recoiled from the Master as he walked unhindered along the way so clearly traced for him by the finger of God. Error recoiled; he did not. Because Christ Jesus never entertained any notion of defeat in well-doing, he experienced none.

The same divine Principle which always indicated the way of demonstration to Christ Jesus is indicated again through Christian Science. Obstacles there may be, but the way of true thinking is unobstructed. Obstacles along a road are no part of the road, and they do not affect its direction. So one has but to advance along the clear way of absolutely true thinking, knowing that God, He it is that "doeth the works;" and that cause includes effect. So the Christian Scientist is learning to prove that aggressive mental suggestions are to be dismissed, not entertained, by every mental follower of the Way-shower. When, therefore, owing to the density of materialism, one seems brought to a standstill by fear of sickness or by some sinful temptation, shall one yield to it and turn back to the old material standpoints? Shall one not, rather, ask one's self, What would Jesus have done under just these circumstances? He would have looked on the situation in the light of the Father's omnipresence and omnipotence, and would have recognized the omniaction of Spirit's beneficent laws. In Christian Science a difficulty presages a victory.

On page 328 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy writes, "He alone ascends the hill of Christian Science who follows the Way-shower, the spiritual presence and idea of God." This is obviously a mental following. Just as Christ Jesus had no visible God to follow, yet ever in his thoughts followed the true idea of God and man, so Mrs. Eddy rediscovered the Master's way and triumphantly followed it herself and retraced it for others. So, also, the Christian Scientist of to-day seeks to keep close to divine Principle. When any problem attempts to engross his thought, he enlists the pure, harmonious, incorporeal idea of God, man, and the universe. We have but to follow the Messiah, the saving spiritual idea; so we shall be led into the very heart of divine Love and its everlasting harmony.

Knowing the mortal tendency to think negatively, untruly, and to forget the eternal in the seeming mesmerism of the temporal, our Leader thus interprets the Master's command: "'Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead;' in other words, Let the world, popularity, pride, and ease concern you less, and love thou" (Message to The Mother Church for 1902, p. 9). As divine Love leads the way in all our thinking. it alters the mental perspective of mortals. Insignificant pursuits are dropped, and the way of intelligent living and unselfish service leads human thought onward. If, on the upward way, many obstacles are encountered and many subtle arguments and un-Christlike fears seek to turn one back, it is comforting to remind one's self that the same divine Principle which led Jesus past that snare of evil is equally present to keep us mentally free and faithful to-day; that spiritual ideas are here to keep us untouched by sin or sickness, free from resentment, free from love of popularity, or pride of personal accomplishment. Free, even as Christ Jesus was free! Our Leader says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 30) that "the great Way-shower illustrated Life unconfined, uncontaminated, untrammelled, by matter."

Christian Scientists do not allow that which is valueless or painful to engross their thought or misappropriate their time. The goal of spiritual perfection is too dear to them. As one presses intelligently on towards it, the burdens of sickness, and the seeming love of materiality, are gradually dropped. "And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?" The true thinker is harmless and unharmed. The truth constantly unfolds to him who seeks it wholeheartedly, for Truth is infinite. The Christ is the ever present Messiah, and every follower in the Way thus finds his real sonship, the reflected glory of the Father, just as did Jesus, "the faithful witness."

Violet Ker Seymer

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