Article November 17, 1934 Issue

The Building

ALBERT F. ENGEL

A tale entitled "The Magpie's Nest" relates that, in teaching the birds to build a nest, the magpie began step by step to show them how to do it. The pupils, however, were impatient, and one bird flew away after each building operation until most of them had gone. Now, so the story goes, they build homes according to their limited sense of this art.

Recognizing the ever active qualities of divine Love as good, true, and pure, the Christian Scientist knows he can demonstrate his religion only through the intelligent application and utilization of these qualities. He is not easily tempted to become disinterested because of material attractions and worldly pleasures which would strive to prevent a consistent adherence to the high requirements of Christian Science. An idle listening to erroneous mental suggestion is not allowed to hinder his progress in learning more about God and the real man. Thus comes to him an increasing recognition of the joys of spiritual building.

In this process it is most important to know that a successful defense against error is built only through perseverance in righteousness and consecration to good. When the law of God is understandingly followed, the illusions of material sense are effectively prevented from deceiving us with their subtleties, and the walls of salvation are successfully erected. This law is revealed in Christian Science as governing man's real being and operating through all spiritual good. Diligence must be our watchword. When his enemies strove to tempt him away from the important task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah said, "I am doing a great work: ... why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?"

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