Article February 24, 1951 Issue

"THE WISE TOOK OIL"

EDYTHE M. WINBURN

While she was eagerly studying the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly one morning, a student's attention was arrested by the account of the ten virgins who went out to meet the bridegroom. All ten carried lamps. All ten appeared well equipped to proceed on their way. Then came the test in the thick gloom of the midnight hour. Quickly were the lamps called into service. Only those lamps which had been properly prepared beforehand were able to perform the service of radiating a steady light into the encompassing darkness. How pointedly the narrator lauds the foresight and preparedness of the well-equipped virgins when he relates (Matt. 25:4), "But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps."

Yes, reasoned the student, every Christian Scientist has a lamp. This lamp of ours may be likened to our knowledge of Christian Science, a precious possession made available to us through the study of the writings of our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, and through the inspiration which comes there from. How we treasure and prize this lamp! Unless alert, however, we might regard metaphysical knowledge, without application of it, as the all of Science. This would be the same as keeping a priceless lamp on a shelf for many years where we could polish it lovingly and admire its beauty. Sooner or later we would see that the mere possession of such a lamp does not guarantee illumination. The lamp to be useful must fulfill its proper function. So must our lamp of spiritual understanding pierce the gloom of materiality which seems to enshroud us.

We should realize keenly, too, how necessary is the oil to feed this lamp and should rouse ourselves to go and buy it. What of this oil, this priceless substance which Mrs. Eddy defines as "consecration; charity; gentleness; prayer; heavenly inspiration" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 592)? Even when we are aware of its importance, do we always realize that our lamp needs constant replenishment—that it is necessary for us to purchase a fresh supply of oil that our light go not out? We purchase this oil by casting out harshness, coldness, sloth, and wrong desires. Replacing these undesirable qualities with tenderness, warmth, prayer, and purity, we bring good increasingly into our lives. How shortsighted would we be, we who are the recipients of Christian Science, the greatest gift of all time, if we allowed this gift to become ineffectual in our lives for want of spiritual oil!

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