Article December 18, 1943 Issue

The Standard of Workmanship

MARY H. SWEENEY

In the momentous days when the Cause of Christian Science was being established, the laborers were few. But they were untiring. Many of them had been healed and regenerated through the spiritual understanding of Mary Baker Eddy, the beloved Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. Released from sickbeds, from hopeless bondage to pain and sin they forsook the demands of society, family, home, and friends and unreservedly helped to establish this new-old religion of the Christ, Truth.

As of old, this second coming of the Christ, prophesied by Jesus, was misjudged and misunderstood. It was accompanied by opposition and persecution. Sermons against the Discoverer of Christian Science, its adherents, and even against Christian Science itself, were not uncommon. Amid this opposition of the clergy, the medical profession, and the professors of natural science, there was no place for halfhearted effort. The early students had to be true soldiers, ever on guard, ever united, listening for the divine command. There was no respite from unceasing service. The laborers were few, and the work to be performed was great. The world must be made acquainted with this wonderful healing truth!

Our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, knowing that the need was for steady, unswerving endeavor, explained to her students in her Message to The Mother Church for 1900 (p. 2) that "the song of Christian Science is. 'Work—work—work— watch and pray.'" She made no mention of a respite; no reference to some students' working and others' watching. In the same passage she continues: "The close observer reports three types of human nature—the right thinker and worker, the idler, and the intermediate. The right thinker works; he gives little time to society manners or matters, and benefits society by his example and usefulness. He takes no time for amusement, ease, frivolity;" and then as if to draw a sharp contrast she says, "The wicked idler earns little and is stingy," and adds: "The intermediate worker works at times. He says: 'It is my duty to take some time for myself; however, I believe in working when it is convenient.' "

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