Patience

BY PAUL R. MAYBURY.

Webster defines patience as, "Endurance without murmuring or fretfulness. The act or quality of waiting long for justice or expected good." When one "waits long for justice or good," his faith in the existence of that justice or good, must be very real. Such a faith, which by degrees becomes understanding, the student of Christian Science possesses in the Principle and laws of this Science. And this is why sincere Scientists are becoming more and more generally acknowledged to be just, charitable, and patient—without self-righteousness.

The Christian Scientist needs prayerful patience in handling specifically the errors that seem to form an actual part of his true being, and, in a general sense, those that appear to belong to his neighbor. When in earnest, he constantly strives to know that evil is no part of God's creation; that it neither has influenced, nor ever can influence, his true selfhood, or that of his brother. It is to be regarded simply as an illusion—nothingness. Therefore he must instantly cast out these subtle suggestions of evil, as a startled dreamer turns from the thought of some terrible nightmare, and thankfully turns his awakened sense to the assured realities about him.

The mother is patient with a fretful or fearful child; and because she understands that this inharmonious condition will soon disappear, she tenderly quiets it with her presence. In like manner do we need forbearnce and wisdom in dealing with those who are new-born of Spirit. We should not become discouraged or neglectful because of their apparent weakness or slowness of growth; but should encourage and help them until they are strong enough to stand alone. Then they will help and cheer us along the upward way.

Impatience shows failure to suffer without murmuring; and unwillingness to wait for justice or expected good. This state of mind clearly indicates a belief in the actuality of some power that can intervene between the individual and the goal of his efforts, preventing its attainment. But since God is Good; since "Justice and judgment are thehabitations of thy throne" (Psalm 89 : 14); and He is Omnipotence, what power can exist to deprive man of eternal justice and infinite Good? For the true Christian then, the slightest sense of impatience is inadmissible, because it implies a lack of faith in God's almightiness. On the other hand, patience includes charity, love. Possessing it, we may press steadily onward, no matter even though the true image may seem to be hidden for a season.

And what an example of Christlike patience we have in our midst to-day! For how many long, weary years has our beloved Mother prayerfully striven to bring again to a starving world her understanding and demonstration of the spiritual Life! Because of her self-immolating love, we may truly say, in the words of our hymn, "The Truth to-day, to us has been by word and deed attested." What gratitude and inspiration there is in the knowledge that we can best repay her lifelong sacrifice and wise guidance by faithfully laying hold of man's divine birthright, which she has so fully revealed to this age!

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