Editorial January 18, 1936 Issue

What Concerns Us?

Violet Ker Seymer

The waking thought of every individual may well be, What most concerns me today? Is my first concern as a Christian Scientist to increase in spiritual understanding, mental poise, and loving-kindness? Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant." Why should anyone remain ignorant, and therefore deprived of that which brings heaven to earth? Through the incomparable gift of Christian Science, eyes that were closed are opened to the joy of expressing lovable qualities, integrity, health, joyfulness.

In her Message to The Mother Church for 1902 (p. 9) Mrs. Eddy says, "Let the world, popularity, pride, and ease concern you less, and love thou." Again and again, then, it is wise for us as Christian Scientists to reiterate the vital question, What is our first concern today? Are we ceasing to be concerned with self-love because our chief concern is to reflect universal Love? By finding the secret of spiritual satisfaction for ourselves, are we bringing comfort to dissatisfied wayfarers? Are we holding fast to the true and letting go the false? Are we "holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck"?

We need to guard against the contagion of materialism, apathy, and indifference to spiritual values which confronts us on every hand. We need to follow the currents of spirituality, and this entails going against the currents of materiality. It entails facing the scorn of materialists who yearn for the fleshpots of Egypt and live according to the epicurean adage, "Let us eat, drink, and be merry; for tomorrow we die." If our highest concern is to be governed by spiritual sense, we shall resist the demands of personal sense, which foster selfishness and center thought on the fleeting. We shall be on guard, not off guard. Then our faith will not be shipwrecked, but established in divine Principle.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Item of Interest