Article June 1, 1940 Issue

"Perfection of living"

BEATRICE SESSIONS

Men are searching for the keynote to happiness, for the open door which will show a glimpse of perfect harmony. They are striving for the ultimate goal, the kingdom of heaven; and one of the first steps on the way is unselfishness. Mrs. Eddy writes in her Message to The Mother Church for 1902 (p. 2), "To live and let live, without clamor for distinction or recognition; to wait on divine Love; to write truth first on the tablet of one's own heart,—this is the sanity and perfection of living, and my human ideal."

Perhaps there is no greater opportunity afforded to practice this ideal than in the office of the Christian Science practitioner. There, in daily contact with many, the practitioner soon learns that the work, to be faithfully done, demands more than to devote one's time to the practice of Christian Science within the four walls of one's office. There is no occupation that bestows more joy and happiness on the individual than the work of helping others. The work to be performed, in accordance with our Master's teachings, includes much. Love was constantly reflected by Christ Jesus. Think of the all-encompassing love he bestowed on his disciples! True, they loved him; and, more important still, they loved his teaching of God enough to enable them to heal the sick; but they did not at first fully understand his teaching. When, in true humility, on that night in the garden, he asked them to watch while he prayed, they slept.

We should do well seriously to ponder this experience, and to ask ourselves what led to this apparently ungrateful act on the part of the disciples. What was the error that put them to sleep? Was it not material resistance to Truth, the love of self—self-interest, self-preservation, caring unduly for material comfort? It was mortal mind that caused them to forget everything but the self-centered desire of the moment.

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