Article September 1, 1945 Issue

Consecration

KATHRYN PAULSON

Oil was put to many uses by the people of Biblical times: the rich used it as a perfume, the physicians as a medicant, and the priests in ceremonial rites, particularly the rite of consecration. The one hundred and thirty-third Psalm refers to "the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments." Mary Baker Eddy has given this richly illuminating definition of "oil" on page 592 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "Consecration; charity; gentleness; prayer; heavenly inspiration."

We may think that we are willing to be consecrated. But are we? True willingness is considerably more than passive acquiescence. It involves vigorous and consistent rejection of the pleasures of the senses as well as of their pains.

There is a story of a child whose hand was caught fast in a small sugar bowl, causing him great discomfort. All efforts to dislodge it were in vain, until someone discovered that his little fist was stubbornly closed around some sugar he desired. When he could be induced to drop the sugar, he withdrew his hand with ease.

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