Article December 2, 1944 Issue

Make It Our Own

DOROTHY HUNT SMITH

We are all capable of demonstrating more of Christian Science than we have yet done. Often we are willing to accept the truth when it is stated generally, but rather slow to accept it when it is applied specifically to ourselves. And many an individual who is quick to say, "God is Love," or even to see for his brother man the truth that "he is Love's image," is timid about claiming for himself the same truth. This timidity is disguised as humility or lack of understanding. But it is not that; it is error, which, unless uncovered and seen for what it is, would prevent us from entering into the abundant heritage that is ours for the asking.

One of the sentences by Mrs. Eddy which is often pondered and frequently quoted by Christian Scientists is in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 160): "To live so as to keep human consciousness in constant relation with the divine, the spiritual, and the eternal, is to individualize infinite power; and this is Christian Science." We need to "individualize" this "infinite power." It is not enough to think about it, and to talk about it to others. We should know how to particularize it, how to bring it out from the general to our specific need. This must be a right purpose, since Jesus gave us an example of how it could be done. Christian Science shows us how to use this divine power as he did.

In the foregoing injunction Mrs. Eddy puts the emphasis on our manner of living, as Jesus did when he told his disciples, "It is the spirit that quickeneth." Worldly wisdom and worldly pleasures have never brought men lasting happiness or usefulness. Have not many of us known of simple, loving folk who have achieved remarkable healings, and of those considered intellectual giants who, because of their pride or self-will, have failed to effect cures? It is not what we know theoretically of Christian Science but what we live of it that counts.

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