Editorial June 24, 1939 Issue

"The good shepherd"

Evelyn F. Heywood

The teachings of Christ Jesus and of Christian Science leave the student in no doubt that the kingdom of heaven is not won without persistent effort and willing self-surrender. It is to be observed that, even according to human reckoning, no outstanding career has ever been consummated without steadfast labor, whether in the realm of statesmanship, art, commerce, or any great enterprise. How much more, then, is demanded of those who set out to understand and live the Science of Christianity! Here is required of them the dedication to their task not only of every talent and energy, but also of that which men call character, the willingness to bring into captivity every trait and habit which does not make for Christlikeness. In this connection we read in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (p. 3), "To understand God is the work of eternity, and demands absolute consecration of thought, energy, and desire."

Insistent, often inexorable, are the demands and the sacrifices exacted of those who are public servants; but side by side with these demands the individual may often feel himself free to indulge weakness of temperament, or to ignore standards of conduct which do not appear directly to concern his career. Indeed, he often believes that the exercise of human will, of questionable methods which outrival the astuteness or competitive skill of others, and partiality of judgment in connection with those he thinks of as friends or enemies, are profitable steppingstones to achievement.

The master Christian made it perfectly clear, and every statement in our Leader's writings serves but to emphasize this point, that those who would accomplish spiritual greatness must first be willing to set on one side all that is selfish and impure, all that is dishonest and unkind, and that the measure of their accomplishment, whatever may be the world's temporary esteem, is in their approximation to that Mind "which was also in Christ Jesus."

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