Article June 10, 1967 Issue

"I cannot come down"

W. RALPH ROCKHOLD

When one finds himself sneezing in the presence of some people, he is likely to be greeted by an almost automatic "God bless you." The other day when a particularly explosive sneeze overtook me suddenly, an associate reacted differently. He asked, "Are you coming down with something?" As I denied this, both audibly in answer to him and silently to myself, my friend's casual question started me thinking.

Coming down! Was I coming down from an altitude of thought in which I beheld myself as a spiritual idea, the perfect reflection of God, infinite good? From years of joyous acquaintance with the experiences of the Old Testament prophets and leaders, the teachings and works of Christ Jesus and his apostles, and the inspired writings of Mrs. Eddy, I had learned that we must not be deluded into coming down from the spiritual heights we attain through a knowledge of what constitutes man in the image and likeness of God. Christian Science teaches that heavenly harmony is man's abode now and continuously.

Think of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem! The threats, cajoling, and subtle persuasions of his enemies failed to deter him from his constructive labors or to detour him from the purpose for which he had returned from exile at the court of the Persian king. Faced with scorn, pleading, and trickery, he refused to come down from his exalted concept of rightful work. His answer was definite: "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?"^{Neh. 6:3;}

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