Article November 9, 1957 Issue

DISCIPLE AND DISCIPLINE

JESSIE B. MOTTEN

Two words which are mentioned frequently by Christian Scientists and which have a common derivation are "disciple" and "discipline." Though it is certainly true that every worthwhile achievement requires faithful and persistent effort, to the average person the word "discipline" presents a distasteful picture. To the Christian Scientist, the spiritual discipline which is required if he is to become a true follower, or disciple, of the Christ is a challenge calling for a surrender of human will and mortal beliefs and opinions, but promising a reward surpassing all human expectation.

Spiritual discipline is not hard if we humbly and lovingly accept its demands. It seems severe only when we resist it. Its purifying influence bestows upon us rare benefactions of joy and spiritual strength. If we truly desire to grow into a clear understanding of God and our relation to Him, we can no more escape this discipline than a mathematician can avoid mastering the fundamentals of the science of numbers if he desires to work out advanced problems in trigonometry. Indeed, we should be grateful for this spiritual training, or discipline, which lifts us above the frustrations and disappointments of material living and leads us along a constantly ascending path into the glorious realm of Spirit.

Although Jesus supplied a wonderful example of Christian living and summarized his teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, it remained for Christian Science to provide the method of practical application of these great truths. Mary Baker Eddy says in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 147): "Our Master healed the sick, practised Christian healing, and taught the generalities of its divine Principle to his students; but he left no definite rule for demonstrating this Principle of healing and preventing disease. This rule remained to be discovered in Christian Science."

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