Article September 16, 1944 Issue

Soldierly Qualities: Obedience, Alertness, Cheerfulness

STEPHEN W. HUNTINGTON

Three soldierly qualities that bring great rewards when constantly held as ideals and expressed in word and deed by Christian Scientists in war service, are obedience, alertness, and cheerfulness. It will be noted at once that these are mental qualities, to be carefully cultivated and brought to bear upon our human activities and relationships.

Since all students of Christian Science—whether in or out of uniform—are enlisted in the warfare against sin, disease, and death, we see that obedience, alertness, and cheerfulness need to be practiced by every individual who would courageously defend himself and others against aggressive attacks of insubordination, apathy, or dejection.

Why is it a joy to be obedient? Because God, good, is the author of all real being and the only power; hence all true and thoughtful obedience is rendered to divine authority. The centurion who came to Jesus beseeching him to heal his servant of the palsy recognized the divine authority which was reflected by our Master and acknowledged it in his request: "But speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it."

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