Editorial January 25, 1930 Issue

Service

Clifford P. Smith

JESUS said, "I am among you as he that serveth." In this, as in all else, he is our Exemplar, our Way-shower. In this, as in all else, he lifted up a practical ideal, and one that should draw all men unto him. Emphasizing this ideal, he also said, "Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant." This he said to his principal followers at that time, but it applies equally to all of his followers to-day Indeed, it applies to all men.

Then, what is service or serviceableness? What does this concept denote and include for us, who do not feel commissioned to do exactly as Jesus did? He devoted his life to the service of God and men in a particular way. We cannot do exactly what he did, but we can serve God and men partly as he did and partly in other ways. So it can be said that service consists in doing good according to one's individual opportunities. Serviceableness by anyone is active and unselfish usefulness in his daily life.

At this point there is a chance to mention, in a way that may be serviceable, two uses of the word "place" that are often heard in the speech of Christian Scientists no less than of other people. For instance, patients often ask practitioners for help with regard to a subject called "place," when it is either desired or not wanted. When a place is not wanted,—when a different place is wanted,—the actual object of dislike is apt to be connected with a particular locality only as exposure to disagreeable or harmful contacts or some such aspect of environment is connected with the spot in question. Quite possibly, therefore, the practice of Christian Science can change the mental atmosphere—can control or eliminate the error in question—without there being any need for anybody's going to a different spot.

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