"Sound doctrine"

Annie M. Knott

Students of Christian Science may ofttimes ponder with profit Paul's admonition to Titus: "Speak thou the things which become sound doctrine," words which are followed by wise counsel as to our conduct in dealing with our fellow men. In reading this epistle it is easy to see that some who professed to be Christians were not living up to the Master's teachings, and what is even worse, they were seeking to lead others astray. The apostle in uncovering this error enjoins honesty, purity, fidelity, and says that we should deny "ungodliness and worldly lusts," and should "live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world."

It is hardly necessary to call attention to the fact that throughout her teachings Mrs. Eddy insists upon unvarying obedience to the demands of moral law as found in the Bible, and especially in the teachings of Christ Jesus. Furthermore she insisted and provided that the children in Christian Science Sunday schools should be carefully taught the necessity for obedience to the ten commandments, this being designated in the Manual (Art. XX, Sect. 3) as one of the "first lessons." It is therefore of the utmost importance that children and adults alike should exemplify the rightcousness which exalts both men and nations, and which is the outward result of right thinking.

The demands of Principle are so unvarying and so far reaching that no mere quibble in the way of personal opinions or personal interests can be admitted. The truth itself can never be perverted, but even sincere seekers may be turned aside by shallow and specious arguments, though these can never really mislead the diligent student of our Leader's writings, which are strictly in accord with the teachings of the Bible. It seems, however, that the question is sometimes raised by beginners as to whether "lands" and "houses," and other earthly possessions do not belong to one person as much as to another, since God provides impartially for all His children. If the first part of this argument were admitted, the eighth commandment would not be needed; yet Jesus said that he who would break even one of the least of the commandments, "and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven." The children in the Christian Science Sunday schools are certainly taught to obey all of the commandments, and much emphasis is laid upon the tenth, which insists that we shall not covet or desire "anything" that belongs to another.

At this point it may be well for us to recognize the fact that while divine "Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals" (Science and Health, p. 13), yet we must strive very earnestly to avail ourselves of the divine provision. Indolence, a marked characteristic of mortals, must be rooted out. The gentle Master himself did not hesitate to pronounce the severest sentence upon the slothful servant who buried the talent given him, and this lesson applies equally on the spiritual plane and the material so called. The demands of God's law, like rays of light, are very far reaching, and honesty in thought, word, and deed is certainly a divine demand. It reaches out to the pupil in school who might be tempted to argue that another pupil's worked-out problem belonged to him as much as to the one who had worked it out, but if he ventured to copy the other's work he would really be robbing himself, and he would be classed with the dishonest. The one who takes an article belonging to another robs himself of the opportunity to prove that all real good is within his reach if he will but take right means to secure it. He may also injure by dishonesty the neighbor whom he is bidden to love, an error which will react upon himself sooner or later.

It is very helpful to look up in the Bible and in our Leader's writings all that is said upon the subject of honesty. Christ Jesus said that the seed of Truth must be sown in an honest and good heart in order to bring forth fruit to perfection. Paul, who inculcates sound doctrine and true living, bids us "adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things."

Annie M. Knott.

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