Article February 28, 1953 Issue

PAYING THE PRICE OF TRUTH

WILLIAM MILFORD CORRELL

In the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew is set forth Jesus' parable of the ten virgins, five of whom were wise and five foolish. The wise virgins were ready and waiting for the coming of the bridegroom, with oil for light to behold him. Those that were foolish lacked the oil in their lamps, and at the midnight hour, when the cry came, "The bridegroom cometh," they said to the wise virgins, "Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out." But the wise virgins answered, "Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves." Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, when commenting on this parable, says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 342): "Seek Truth, and pursue it. It should cost you something: you are willing to pay for error and receive nothing in return; but if you pay the price of Truth, you shall receive all."

Just what is the price of Truth and how do we pay this price? The oil which was so vital in this parable stands for consecration of thought and life, the inspiration of spiritual-mindedness, which is always alert and receptive to the understanding of Truth. We might enumerate any number of ways in which this oil is obtained: proper time and attention given to study and prayer, implicit obedience to Truth and Love, turning from matter to Spirit in all ways, learning to love and to serve patiently in the vineyard of our Lord. Steadfastness, faithfulness, joy, sincerity, purity, gratitude—all contribute to the spiritual light and intelligence by which we recognize and know the presence of Christ and learn of the healing power of Truth and Love.

Discipline of thought is necessary to attain spiritual understanding. In Christian Science we learn that God, the Father and Mother of man, is always blessing His creation with infinite bounty and goodness, for that is the nature of God. But this same divine Love is Principle and, as such, commands obedience to the laws of Truth. It must be understood that God is not "influenced" by mankind, but that mankind reconcile their lives to God by spiritually understanding divine Principle and abiding by it. Having only one God means having only one Mind, and that Mind is not a mixture of good and evil, but is good only. It means understanding God's allness and man's likeness to Him and striving consistently to be conscious of the perfect man of God's creation, that man which embodies the qualities of Spirit, Soul. It need hardly be added that in present experience it takes effort, work, and deep prayer to maintain thought at this point of scientific knowing.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

"THIS BANQUET OF CHRISTIAN SCIENCE"