Editorial April 8, 1933 Issue

"Be ye clean"

Violet Ker Seymer

In succeeding ages the call to a high standard has been proclaimed by leaders of men and by spiritual seers. In ancient days came the ringing command from Moses to Aaron and his sons, "Do not drink wine nor strong drink ... when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation." This was an appeal to them to be faithful to their trust when on priestly duty.

To the student of Christian Science the larger question presents itself: Am I not a priest in the sense that I am to worship God, good, at all times, and to manifest His redemptive power in the great congregation of my fellows? To the true Christian Scientist there is no such thing as being off duty toward God and his fellows, and on duty to the lowering call of mortal mind. Mrs. Eddy says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 116), "Never absent from your post, never off guard, never ill-humored, never unready to work for God,—is obedience; being 'faithful over a few things.'" This work for God is, primarily, right thinking, and this post a mental post to be held sacred under all conditions and in all environments. The right thinker, reflecting Truth, does not stoop to wrong actions, for he knows their futile thralldom. To him no temptation is valid, and yielding to it obviously holds no reward.

Christian Science offers that which is genuine in place of its counterfeit. In the Glossary of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 598) Mrs. Eddy thus presents the twofold definition of "wine": "Inspiration; understanding. Error; fornication; temptation; passion." Every time the Christian Scientist studies his books, this study, combined with practice, lifts his thoughts above the arena of material temptation and confirms his upward footsteps. Thus strengthened by the wine of inspiration and spiritual understanding, and equipped with courage for the execution of his daily tasks, he finds himself becoming more and more conscious of the dominion and peace of true manhood, and less and less a prey to temptation and evil passions. He turns to divine Mind for the fidelity and moral courage which lift him above the level of the social drinker, who, not yet utilizing these protective qualities, makes a bid for popularity and business advantage by yielding to the contagion of wrongdoing. Whatever sacrifice of materiality this entails the Christian Scientist finds is more than recompensed by tangible gains in ways that are permanent.

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