Editorial May 6, 1950 Issue

ON MAKING ONE'S OWN PROGRESS

George Channing

It is efficacious and desirable for each individual to make all the spiritual progress of which he is himself capable, and to refrain from setting up watch and ward over another's progress, thus neglecting his own. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, makes this point clear in her article entitled "An Allegory," which appears in her book "Miscellaneous Writings," beginning on page 323.

In this article, it will be recalled, Mrs. Eddy introduces the reader to the Stranger who descends from his happy abode on the mountaintop. His purpose is to help those who dwell below in varying degrees of discord to find their way to his summit. Many reject him outright. But at last in the valley of humility he finds one who is willing to follow him and take no baggage (of worldliness). Others, too, are found in the valley who are willing to follow, but unwilling to part with their baggage. Up the slope they climb, but they fall behind and grumble and quarrel because their baggage is heavy.

Then the one who has taken no baggage goes back to help, to bind up wounds and wipe away bloodstains. But the Stranger, later identified as the Christ, shouts to the uninvited, would-be helper of others (p. 328): "Let them alone; they must learn from the things they suffer. Make thine own way; and if thou strayest, listen for the mountain-horn, and it will call thee back to the path that goeth upward."

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