Article June 4, 1932 Issue

Obedience

ROYSTON LEE

One afternoon a student of Christian Science was walking along a lane among the hills of Scotland, pondering over "the deep things of God," when his attention was arrested by an interesting sight. A sheep-dog trial was in progress. Each dog in turn was sent by his master to seek out and gather in a flock of sheep which were scattered over the hillside, almost out of sight. The dog had to bring the sheep home through a special gap resembling a gateway, and finally usher them into a pen. This was done with the aid of his shepherd, who stood still at the pen and made periodic calls and signs to the eagerly waiting and ever watchful dog. How happy each animal looked! How quick to act! How faithful a servant he proved himself to be! It was recognized that the greater the obedience of the dog, the better his achievement.

Likewise has it ever been the experience of individuals and nations that in proportion to their obedience to their highest sense of God, good, were they successful. Christian Science teaches us what obedience is; how to manifest it, and so reap the good fruits thereof. Our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, gives us this loving admonition (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 116): "Never absent from your post, never off guard, never ill-humored, never unready to work for God,—is obedience."

Where is this post of duty? It must be where we are, at the side of our Shepherd, omnipresent Love. How best are we able to recognize the call of Love? In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 323) Mrs. Eddy speaks of Christian Science as "the 'still, small voice' of Truth uttering itself." We heed this call by entertaining those childlike qualities of humility and receptivity which must have prompted Jesus to exclaim: "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight." And through our obedience to this call we are blessed.

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