One's Own Business

JOHN M. DEAN

Christian Science is teaching thousands of men and women that they can best be about their "Father's business" by minding their own business. A meddlesome busybody is far from manifesting the activity of divine Mind, and he who grapples with his own problems is sure to have his hands full. In "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy says, "The warfare with one's self is grand" (p. 118), and when we learn that self is the first enemy we have to conquer, we can concentrate the forces of good upon our problem until nothing is left for error to claim as its own.

The psalmist said, "Fret not thyself because of evil-doers," and Paul laid down the injunction, "Study to be quiet, and to do your own business." Things which in no wise touch our problem are no part of our business unless those interested ask for our help, in which case it becomes our business lovingly and compassionately to respond. We can surely afford to ignore everything which does not affect our individual problem, while scientifically correcting everything that does. The individuality of man gives each of us the right to demonstrate his own salvation, and it should not be forgotten that this right is equally the property of all. We all remember the fate of Uzzah, who presumptuously attempted to steady the ark and received quick punishment for his temerity; and in varying degree, punishment comes to every man who assumes to steady the ark for his neighbor.

"If" and "but" should be no part of the vocabulary of a Christian Scientist when speaking of a fellow man. How often have we heard some individual condemned by faint praise, as when some one says, "He (or she) would be all right, if—," or "He is a good man, but—." If our brother has his regrettable shortcomings, he cannot be helped by having the knowledge of it spread promiscuously, even though it be spoken of in scientific terms. We must remember that "false claims," like the famous "three black crows," can be magnified until they grow into a wonderful resemblance to reality and pass current as such to all who are willing to judge "according to the appearance" rather than according to "righteous judgment."

No statement which lacks the pure inspiration of Truth and Love can help under any conditions, and we can easily distinguish between right and wrong words by asking ourselves the question, What good purpose will they serve? The thing which cannot help would best be left unsaid or undone, and nothing possesses an absolutely negative quality. Either good or bad preponderates in everything we think, say, or do; and our constant effort should be to keep our thoughts so attuned to divine Love that every word will weigh in the right side of the balance. Not the least of the dangers attending constant faultfinding is in the effect liable to be felt by the critic. As Mrs. Eddy says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 130), "Does not the latter [the Christian Science text-book] instruct you that looking continually for a fault in somebody else, talking about it, thinking it over, and how to meet it,—'rolling sin as a sweet morsel under your tongue,'—has the same power to make you a sinner that acting thus regarding disease has to make a man sick?"

If our neighbor manifests an error the contemplation of which disturbs our equanimity, we have only to remember the rebuke of Jesus, "What is that to thee? follow thou me," and we shall blush for shame that the faults of another should have been in the least permitted to obscure our clear vision. The lesson of keeping our own door-step clean must come to each individual as he is prepared to receive it, and those who have already learned it, may inspire less fortunate ones by their example. Then without strife, tumult, backbiting, or captious faultfinding, there will come a time when every door-step will be clean, and there will be no possible occasion for criticism.

There is an anecdote of a little girl who had been taught the beatitudes, and who one day said to her mother, "Mama, I have been a peacemaker today." When asked how she had been a peacemaker she replied, "I knew something that I didn't tell." This little child had learned the lesson of not repeating unnecessary things, and her thought of making peace should be an inspiration to all who are in any degree able to grasp that saying of the Master, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

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