Every individual is under daily observation as he moves about among his fellows. Even the little things he does are scrutinized and his casual remarks weighed. Constantly do people take his measure. They do more; they fashion their conduct after his pattern to an extent they little suspect. His acts bring judgment upon himself, of course, but with equal certainty they provide models more persuasive to others than studied arguments.

Christ Jesus never wrote so much as a letter, to our knowledge. He went about doing good, and this for a short time only and in a relatively small area. But his influence in the western world surpasses that of any other teacher. "Lives there a man who can better define ethics, better elucidate the Principle of being, than he who 'spake as never man spake,' and whose precepts and example have a perpetual freshness in relation to human events?" asks Mary Baker Eddy on page 269 of her "Miscellaneous Writings."

Goodness unobtrusively lived is a silent force so irresistible that no one coming within its radius can fail to be affected. "No man or woman of the humblest sort," says Phillips Brooks, "can really be strong, gentle, pure, and good, without the world being the better for it, without somebody being helped and comforted by the very existence of that goodness."

Christian Scientists have been heard to complain that outsiders judge Christian Science by Christian Scientists. This may not be the fairest yardstick, but too often is it the first and obvious one. Let us consider it. Can anyone estimate the extent to which the model set by Christian Scientists has stirred humanity to nobler effort and fuller achievement? For over half a century have they faithfully challenged the reality of evil in its various forms, disease included. Their example has moved untold thousands reverently to recognize that since God is good He has, regardless of appearances to the contrary, placed His people in a realm where materiality and mortality never come. Thereby have fear, limitation, and suffering been reduced, and health, longevity, and the joy of living been promoted—all in no small degree.

Many a person, inspired by what he has observed of the effect of Christian Science on its adherents, has accepted the doctrine of perfect God and perfect man with its far-reaching potentialities. For when he gains even a glimpse of genuine selfhood as spiritual and perfect, and expectantly holds theroto, the former erroneous sense of himself as material and sensuous begins to melt away and he commences to recognize himself as an immortal of God's creating.

Now and then there are those who go about carelessly forgetful that in every thought and act they set examples in dress, carriage, conversation, and disposition. But the circumspect person, more than once each day, checks himself in recognition of the fact that what he does may have more influence with others than what he advises or counsels. "Ye are a chosen generation," writes Peter in his first epistle, "having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."

God's presence, that is, the Mind of the universe, goes with you. Let it take form in your thinking, in wisdom, helpfulness, cheerfulness, and graciousness. People stand little in need of your advice, perhaps, and still less in need of your censure. What they long for and need are best encouragement and comfort. And these are best administered by example. Abstractions speak with little effect as compared with deeds. We are not so much convinced by what we hear as by what we see.

The ant and bee teach the world the art of patience, industry, order; yet not a syllable intelligible to human beings can they utter. "Not the cry but the flight of the wild fowl," runs a Chinese saying, "leads the flock to fly and follow." Where would one gather a more practicle meaning of fortitude than from the achievement of the Russian? But after all is said and done, the scientific eradicator of fear is the spiritual understanding that "the eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." In other words, Principle, the benign infinite individuality, holds man and the universe securely in His ample palm.

What a stimules to the sick is the practitioner who himself expresses soundness of mind and body—vigor and buoyancy along with character, compassion, and spiritual understanding! In his presence, patients minimize the error of weakness or despair, and magnify the fact of strength and wholeness. They find it easy to accept his explanation of the exuberance of Life and the deceptiveness of disease. How does the commander of a battalion inspire the men? By his readiness to lead them. Courage exemplified overcomes fear in those who witness it, just as the spiritual understanding of health alleviates sickness, whereas the most eloquent words, the most plausible argument, may fail to uplift the sick or calm the fearful.

Yes, right thinking and conduct react in the individual to bring out health, character, manliness. But they also furnish a precedent for the world at large and thereby react in the lives of multitudes. The generous habit of thought and action brightens the lives of everyone the individual meets. Why? Because it is a showing forth of the inner self made after the pattern shown in the mount.

The distinguished Discoverer of Christian Science, on page 110 of her "Miscellaneous Writings," pronounces this fitting benediction: "Beloved children, the world has need of you,—and more as children than as men and women: it needs your innocence, unselfishness, faithful affection, uncontaminated lives. You need also to watch, and pray that you preserve these virtues unstained, and lose them not through contact with the world. What grander ambition is there than to maintain in yourselves what Jesus loved, and to know that your example, more than words, makes morals for mankind!"

Peter V. Ross