Consecration

Duncan Sinclair

Every conscientious student of Christian Science knows that there is only one way whereby a progressive understanding of God can be obtained, the way of consecration. At the very beginning of one's study of Christian Science great spiritual illumination may be received,—great, that is, by contrast with one's previous material darkness,—and a healing may be the result; but at this point, how short is the distance that has been traveled along the eternal road! God is infinite. The universe of His creating, the spiritual universe, is infinite. To understand God and His creation fully will therefore require eternity. As Mrs. Eddy puts it in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 3), "To understand God is the work of eternity, and demands absolute consecration of thought, energy, and desire."

Now Mrs. Eddy's words are true; and there can be no getting around them. The demand for "absolute consecration of thought, energy, and desire" upon those who would understand God is indeed a comprehensive one, so comprehensive that it leaves little or no time for anything else. But does not the Christian Scientist who is devoting himself to the study and practice of Christian Science feel that if with his whole heart he desires to know more and yet more of God, praying constantly with this in view, and if he gives earnest thought to the things that pertain to Spirit after he has learned of them, he is dedicating his life to divine pursuits, and that practically his whole time is being given to Christian Science? All Christian Scientists have the same problem, namely, to know God better and to demonstrate their increasing understanding in the overcoming of false material belief—the world, the flesh, all evil. No one can dogmatically tell another exactly how he shall proceed; that, each one must determine for himself. But this is certain, that all have to decide very definitely to set aside time for study of the Christian Science textbooks—the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings. All must constantly have recourse to these books, because they contain the Word of God, which when understood reveals the nature of God and man, and also of spiritual law, obedience to which insures the victory over materiality.

And study must be accompanied by practice, the practice of healing the sick and the sinning. Is not every Christian Scientist under this obligation? What would be thought of a person who knew the rules of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, but did not use them? One learns these rules that they may be of service to him in solving arithmetical problems. Similarly, one learns the rules of Christian Science to be able to solve the moral, ethical, and health problems which he may encounter. And to do this efficiently, "consecration of thought, energy, and desire" is absolutely necessary. No one can play with Christian Science, as a child with a toy, and expect to progress in spiritual understanding; no one can be other than consecrated in the application of the spiritual understanding he has acquired, and expect to be successful in the healing work. As it is written in Science and Health (pp. 261, 262), "Good demands of man every hour, in which to work out the problem of being."

Unquestionably there is a great demand upon the Christian Science movement to-day, even at this very hour, for a far greater measure of consecration to the study and practice of the Science of Spirit than has ever been given by its members before. Think of the world's needs—its sickness, its sin, its sorrow, its suffering, its belief in the reality of death! We know that only the understanding of God and man which Christian Science gives can heal the world. What then? Can we say we are doing our part, whole-heartedly, lovingly, consecratedly? Every Christian Scientist should ask himself that question. It is so easy to be beguiled by the world's lures: its pillows may be soft, its luxuries easily come by, its sensuous pleasures alluring. Are we alert enough? We cannot let the kindly smile forsake us, our joy depart from us, our happiness leave us; but we must ever be on guard lest the mesmerism of personal sense lead us astray.

If we are ever in doubt as to how our revered Leader viewed the question of consecration to the work of Christian Science, we should read the remarks she made at the Sunday services on a certain July Fourth, which may be found on pages 176 and 177 of "Miscellaneous Writings." How earnestly she refers to our opportunities and responsibilities, and to the imperious nature of the call God makes upon us all! In the last paragraph are these words, uttered out of a great love for humanity and with an intense zeal for the whole world's salvation: "Will you give yourselves wholly and irrevocably to the great work of establishing the truth, the gospel, and the Science which are necessary to the salvation of the world from error, sin, disease, and death? Answer at once and practically, and answer aright." The words of Peter come to us, and we are glad: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."

Duncan Sinclair

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