"Perfect models"

Ella W. Hoag

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 248) Mrs. Eddy writes, "We must form perfect models in thought and look at them continually, or we shall never carve them out in grand and noble lives." And then she goes on to define these models: "Let unselfishness, goodness, mercy, justice, health, holiness, love—the kingdom of heaven—reign within us, and sin, disease, and death will diminish until they finally disappear." Herein she has furnished us with both a rule and its method of application. She has stated a law and the way to obey it,—"We must form perfect models in thought and look at them continually;" and then she proceeds to define the models. The rule is plain, and the method is simple. Yet what Christian Scientist is satisfied with his demonstration of them?

If one were intending to carve a statue, he would first consider the qualities he desired to express. His efforts would be to gain constantly a better, truer, clearer concept of what he would portray. The Christian Scientist knows that the uninstructed concept of good, as the so-called human mind presents it, can never be the perfect model which will lift him into Christlikeness. He is quite aware that the human belief of even such qualities as "unselfishness, goodness, mercy, justice, health, holiness, love," must be exalted before he can find them dissipating the beliefs of sin, disease, and death. In "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 352) our beloved Leader tells us, "There is not sufficient spiritual power in the human thought to heal the sick or the sinful;" and all her instructions point plainly to the necessity of winning the perfect concept of every sense of good, if we are to gain perfect results in our demonstration of Christian Science.

In the Christian Science textbooks,—the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings,—we have these qualities fully defined. Not only do we find them letterly explained, but example after example in the application of them is presented for our contemplation. And we are to hold such models in thought until we "carve them out in grand and noble lives"! How simple the process! And how joyous should be the use of it! One certainly could not imagine a more bliss-giving occupation than to dwell with such qualities until the kingdom of heaven reigns within us. All men desire to have sin, disease, and death disappear; and here we are told the invariable way to bring this desideratum to pass,—to dwell with these heavenly characteristics until all unlike them shall have been proved unreal!

In our effort to hold these perfect models in thought we learn the difference between "vain repetitions" and the unfolding vision of good which results in practical demonstration. If one in carving his statue were to stand before the marble simply declaring for the qualities he desired to express, he would do little towards bringing out his ideal. It is the first step, to be sure, but he must begin to work on the marble if he is to prove that he understands what he is declaring. Just so, we may declare what constitutes the perfect model for a Christian Scientist, but it is only the dead letter unless we put it into practice.

We put in practice the best we know to-day and win proportionate good; but this experience uncovers some unexpected flaw in our concept of our model and we must needs study our pattern yet more earnestly. We must draw yet closer to the divine Mind in our effort to understand. And here is our great comfort, our unfailing support. Even though sometimes it may appear to take long periods of what seems to be almost fruitless endeavor for us to gain the perfect comprehension of our model, we know the model is always there,—always perfect, always possible of demonstration.

Like Moses we must constantly obey God's command: "See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount." It is the same lesson which is always being presented to us in Christian Science; the ever recurring necessity of learning to know good thoughts; and then to dwell with them, contemplate them, use them, until our lives become their expression. We have great need of patience in our endeavor, even though the process is a continually advancing one. Perfection is not gained in one effort or by one vision of good. We may know, however, that we can always go forward with rejoicing. Although it takes many an effort to prove that these qualities which constitute the "perfect models" belong to us as the children of God, each step is in the right direction, and we shall finally see sin, disease, and death disappear, for the kingdom of heaven shall reign within us.

Ella W. Hoag.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit