Editorial July 9, 1932 Issue

Proper Procedure

W. Stuart Booth

Even by many who are known as non-Christians, the teachings of Christ Jesus are acknowledged as idealistic, if not inspired. His parables are regarded by them as gems, and the Sermon on the Mount as lofty in sentiment and expression. But Christian Science so stresses the practicality of Christ Jesus' teachings that they take on added luster and brighter hue when regarded through the perfect and perfecting lens of this Science.

Thus, a single point in connection with one of our Master's precious parables is found to be of practical value in demonstrating the rules of divine Principle. The parable is that one wherein "the kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat." When, however, the tares appeared with the wheat, the zealous servants were restrained from rushing forth to gather up the tares; for they were told: "Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."

Apparently referring to this parable Mrs. Eddy points a helpful lesson in her writings. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 72) she states: "Mortal belief (the material sense of life) and immortal Truth (the spiritual sense) are the tares and the wheat, which are not united by progress, but separated." Thus it may be said that the tares, or false material beliefs, are sown in the field of human consciousness while men sleep; in other words, material beliefs are merely phases of the Adam-dream depicted in the second and subsequent chapters of Genesis.

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