Editorial September 9, 1939 Issue

"I will give you rest"

George Shaw Cook

When Christ Jesus extended the invitation, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," it was probably addressed, primarily, to those who were oppressed by ecclesiastical laws as well as to those who were under the civil domination of the Romans. However, his compassionate appeal has a far wider application. Indeed, it extends to the weary and heavy-laden in all times and places. It therefore applies today to those who are laboring under tasks which seem fatiguing, as well as to those burdened by a false, personal sense of responsibility for the success of the endeavor in which they are engaged, or for the welfare of others. The invitation is not to those who labor with light hearts, but to those who labor and are "heavy laden."

Thus the Master's invitation is for us, if we, perchance, should be tempted to believe that we are mentally or physically burdened. It invites us to find rest and refreshment in Christ, Truth. And the Christ, Truth, in Christian Science reveals the fact that right action in obedience to divine Principle is not wearisome, but restful. It shows us that omniactive Mind, God, is never tired, and that man, reflecting divine Mind, is not subject to fatigue. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes on page 519 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "God rests in action. Imparting has not impoverished, can never impoverish, the divine Mind. No exhaustion follows the action of this Mind, according to the apprehension of divine Science. The highest and sweetest rest, even from a human standpoint, is in holy work."

When Jesus extended his marvelous invitation to mankind, he also said: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." It will be noted that the Master did not say that he, the human Jesus, had no yoke and no burden, but he did say that his yoke was "easy" and his "burden light." The purpose of a yoke is to equalize the burden for the animals drawing the load and to compel them to work together. Figuratively speaking, a yoke may be regarded as a symbol of co-operation; and if this spirit prevailed to a greater extent among men, existence would seem much less burdensome.

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