Article March 29, 1930 Issue

On Minding One's Own Business

EVELYN MAUD PENROSE

The student of Christian Science who makes a systematic study of the writings of our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, is continually finding fresh rules which she has provided with much care and forethought for his daily help in overcoming the many and varied problems with which he is constantly being faced.

In a rule expressed with brevity and forceableness, Mrs. Eddy says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 283), "Any exception to the old wholesome rule, 'Mind your own business,' is rare." It is obvious that she attached much importance to this rule, for on page 13 of the same book, referring to her own work, she uses the phrase "taking special care to mind my own business."

"A Rule for Motives and Acts" in the Manual of The Mother Church (Art. VIII, Sect. 1), for example, is a full elucidation of minding one's own business. The Rule reads as follows: "Neither animosity nor mere personal attachment should impel the motives or acts of the members of The Mother Church. In Science, divine Love alone governs man; and a Christian Scientist reflects the sweet amenities of Love, in rebuking sin, in true brotherliness, charitableness, and forgiveness. The members of this Church should daily watch and pray to be delivered from all evil, from prophesying, judging, condemning, counseling, influencing or being influenced erroneously." This Rule shows "animosity" and "mere personal attachment" to be two errors that may lead us to interfere with business not our own. How often, when actuated by "mere personal attachment," we rush off to a friend and discuss a situation that has arisen, offering advice which, when the stress of feeling has passed, we acknowledge would have been better withheld! And subsequent moments of quiet reflection may show us that instead of helping to overcome the difficulty we have been counseling erroneously.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
The Fiery Furnace
March 29, 1930
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit