Article October 20, 1956 Issue

"NO RIDERS"

ALBERT F. ENGEL

It is not unusual to see a commercial vehicle bearing the sign "No Riders." The injunction is clear and wise. The rider does no work. He would detract from the driver's attention to duty. Christian Science makes no provision for irresponsible "riders." The selfish and unthinking shirker, the presumptuous, the superficial, the willful, and the undiscriminating have little or no part in its joyous demonstration. Sincere, honest workers in Christian Science are self-reliant; each presently enjoys peace and harmony in proportion to his spiritual understanding, humility, and love.

Perhaps at the beginning of his study of this Science one believes that the greatest knowledge of it must be gained by dependence upon some person as a human savior or as an intermediary or intercessor. This falsity will surely disappear as the light of spiritual truth is more dearly revealed to one's receptive thought. The dawn of spiritual understanding and love will eventually outshine the darkness of ignorance and personal sense. This darkness is human will, with its pretension to exist as power or intelligence. Personal sense is the error of which Christ Jesus said (John 8:44), "There is no truth in him."

Consecrated study and allegiance to Christian Science bring the learner into a confident sense of individual dependence on God, infinite good, in every circumstance. Thus the faculty of self-reliance is surely developed. In this pure concept, personal sense is forever lost. The Psalmist turned to no material or personal confidant when he prayed (Ps. 86:2, 7): "O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. ... In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me."

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