Article October 21, 1944 Issue

Consecration

ISRAEL PICKENS

There is a beautiful story in the book of Genesis which clearly illustrates the manner in which the light of the Christ may come to illumine and consecrate human thought. It is the story of Jacob's experiences, and it is a story full of significance to the student of Christian Science, for it contains a lesson of deep spiritual value.

In his journey from Beersheba toward Haran, it is stated, Jacob spent one night at a certain place, and it was here that a great spiritual awakening occurred which changed the whole tenor of his career. It was here that he became aware of the sacredness of the mission for which God was even then preparing him. So conscious was he of the presence of God that he exclaimed: "Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.... This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." Farther on in his experience there were many wrestlings with error until the dawn of spiritual light appeared. A darkened human sense gradually gave place to the light that is Christ. Through receptivity and humility Jacob became imbued with those spiritual qualities which fitted him for discipleship—for the work of God among his fellows. Jacob's nature had been changed; he had become more spiritually-minded. Henceforth his life would be more consecrated, his character more Christlike.

How closely related in significance is the story of Jacob's consecration in the service of God to the narrative with which Mary Baker Eddy opens her chapter on Christian Science Practice in the textbook of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." The incident is the one recorded by Luke of Mary Magdalene, who came uninvited to the house of the Pharisee where Jesus was a guest. Luke describes the Master as expressing the compassion, the love, consideration, and understanding so necessary in healing the sick and the sinning. Our Leader sums up these requirements thus (p. 367): "The tender word and Christian encouragement of an invalid, pitiful patience with his fears and the removal of them, are better than hecatombs of gushing theories, stereotyped borrowed speeches, and the doling of arguments, which are but so many parodies on legitimate Christian Science, aflame with divine Love."

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