Article January 20, 1934 Issue

The Freedom of Humility

MARY EASTON

On page 514 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy we read: "Mind's infinite ideas run and disport themselves. In humility they climb the heights of holiness." What a picture of joyous freedom and unhampered progress! Through the teachings of Christian Science we begin to understand that this glorious freedom belongs naturally to every one of God's children. This gives rise to the query, Why is one not more conscious of it? How is it that thought sometimes seems clogged and hampered, heavy and slow, even though one desires to climb "the heights of holiness"? Is it not that one lacks humility?

It is evident, then, that if one would experience true freedom one must gain that necessary quality—humility. Our Leader says (Science and Health, p. 201): "Let us disrobe error. Then, when the winds of God blow, we shall not hug our tatters close about us." In humility one turns from the contemplation of the human self to the contemplation of God. As thought awakens to realize His divine presence, the tatters of selfishness, pride, fear, self-pity, self-depreciation, self-glorification, self-satisfaction, and all the hampering beliefs of a selfhood apart from God will disappear before the winds of God. In Science and Health (p. 597) "wind" is defined in part as "that which indicates the might of omnipotence and the movements of God's spiritual government, encompassing all things." The false sense of self disappears before the revelation of God's omnipotence.

The life of Christ Jesus gave a striking example of true humility. Although doing wonderful works, healing the sick and sinning, feeding the multitude, and raising the dead, he allowed no material sense of selfhood to enter his consciousness, but declared, "I can of mine own self do nothing." He declared the power of God, however, saying, "The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." His humility enabled him to reflect God's ability. The suggestion of personal goodness was also rebuked by him with the words, "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God."

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