Editorial August 26, 1939 Issue

"Before honour is humility"

George Shaw Cook

THE writer of Proverbs said, "The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility." A wise man honors God, and is in turn honored by his fellow men. To honor God requires humility—the acknowledgment of Him as Supreme Being, the one divine, creative, and governing power. And such humility is required of those who would gain a demonstrable understanding of God as Mind, Spirit, Soul, Life, Truth, Love.

Writing of the revelation of Truth which came to her with the discovery of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy says in her autobiography (Retrospection and Introspection, p. 31): "Into mortal mind's material obliquity I gazed, and stood abashed. Blanched was the cheek of pride. My heart bent low before the omnipotence of Spirit, and a tint of humility, soft as the heart of a moonbeam, mantled the earth." The humility which was felt by our Leader at that time remained with her throughout her career, and characterized her words and works in a marked degree. In humble prayer for divine guidance she turned to God when confronted, as she frequently was, by problems concerning the establishment and conduct of her Church and the Christian Science movement. And a like humility is needed by her followers in their endeavor faithfully and effectively to serve our Cause.

True humility does not, however, partake of the nature of servility, self-abasement, or self-depreciation. Genuine humility is properly associated with the thoughts of dignity, serenity, poise, peace, quietness, and assurance. It is because of the reflection of such qualities that men come to be honored by their fellows. Cringing men-pleasers are not long in honor, and are never of great value in the service of any cause. Their actions are not inspired by right motives.

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