Article September 14, 1940 Issue

"The song of Christian Science"

ALICE CLARK COWLES

In Mary Baker Eddy's Message to The Mother Church for 1900 we read (p. 2), "The song of Christian Science is, 'Work—work—work—watch and pray.'" The reader may ask: "Just how are we to obtain a joyous sense of work; how can we carry a song in our hearts while working steadily, watching diligently, and praying unceasingly? How are we to lose the mortal mind suggestion that constant activity results in weariness?"

Mrs. Eddy has given us an answer to these questions. In the same paragraph of this Message we read that human nature is divided into three types of workers, "the right thinker and worker, the idler, and the intermediate," and that of these three types it is the right thinker and worker, whose thoughts are continuously good, active, and fruitful, who is to be commended. He it is who is sincerely joyful while working because he is convinced that he will obtain the right results; and thus he is joyously active. He approaches any problem, not with fear and trembling, but with the assurance that no matter what the inharmonious condition may seem to be—physical, moral, financial—the only way out is through active right thinking. He corrects his thinking continually, in order to gain a higher sense of true activity. The right thinker and worker clings to the fact that man is the image and likeness of God, and as he steadfastly holds to his understanding of what God is, the correct sense of what man is unfolds to him. This true thinking results in victory; and the work which accompanies it is joyous, and leaves no sense of weariness, no unhappy memories.

There is always a lesson to be learned from every demonstration we make of the power of good over evil; and if we really learn that lesson, we shall be less likely to encounter the same type of experience again. If we do not do our mental work rightly or thoroughly, we may find ourselves again and again confronted with the same or a similar problem. Paul says in Galatians, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." So it behooves us to do our mental work to the very best of our ability; to do good work, sincere, profitable work, which will bring true fruitage. We must "stand fast" and refuse to be intimidated by error; we must be obedient and faithful, and instantly "turn our thoughts towards divine Principle, that finite belief may be prepared to relinquish its error" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mrs. Eddy, p. 322). This turning towards divine Principle is the pivot upon which every demonstration of good depends. Let us then consistently face the light that extinguishes the darkness and gloom of doubt and fear. This attitude denotes right mental activity—righteous activity.

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