Article January 26, 1952 Issue

TRUE ENTHUSIASM

JULIUS EVANS

Quite often those who are not students of Christian Science may be heard to remark about the enthusiasm of its adherents. This is not extraordinary, inasmuch as enthusiasm is a quality that sincere students of Christian Science express in great abundance.

The word enthusiasm is derived from the Greek enthousiazein, meaning "to be inspired or possessed by the god." Under a subdefinition of "enthusiasm" in a dictionary we read, "Against the hindrances of the world, nothing great and good can be carried without a certain fervor, intensity, and vehemence; these joined with faith, courage, and hopefulness make enthusiasm." Rereading this statement in the light of Mary Baker Eddy's discovery and founding of Christian Science, one can more fully comprehend the rich significance of her God-inspired enthusiasm. Certainly there are few who have had so large a load to carry "against the hindrances of the world."

However, there is one important word missing in this definition of enthusiasm, as far as the Christian Scientist is concerned. That word is "understanding." Without understanding, enthusiasm is only an "impassioned emotion," as another dictionary defines it in part. But no problem, of whatever name or nature, can long remain a problem when attacked by the understanding enthusiasm of consistent worker in Christian Science, for his work is based upon the Biblical assertion (Phil. 2:13), "It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

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