WEBSTER gives as the derivation of our English word "enthusiasm" the Greek word entheos (en, in, and theos, god); and the primary definition of enthusiasm is, "Inspiration by a divine or superhuman power." Some of the synonyms for enthusiasm are: eagerness, alacrity, zeal. A secondary meaning of enthusiasm is "strong excitement of feeling on behalf of a cause or a subject;" hence, the word "enthusiasm" has come to be associated in the thought of many with excitement, fervor, and untempered zeal.

With primitive Christians there was always an abundance of the right sort of enthusiasm. They fearlessly faced persecution and even martyrdom in defense of the cause which they had espoused. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, faced death with the utmost courage. He did not hesitate to tell the truth about Christ Jesus to the Jews by whom he was confronted, nor did he lack the courage to charge them with bringing about the crucifixion of Jesus. Yet after he had been stoned for his outspokenness, he manifested true Christian forgiveness. In his last earthly moments he uttered the prayer, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge."

Paul experienced deprivation, humiliation, suffering, and eventual death for the sake of bringing the message of Christ-healing to the pagan countries surrounding the Mediterranean. He not only spoke with the utmost fearlessness in the face of hatred and persecution, but endured untold hardships in his missionary journeys, to say nothing of being several times scourged and imprisoned.

An outstanding instance of a man speaking with heroic courage based upon absolute conviction is recorded in the second chapter of Acts. The Apostle Peter stood up before those who, on the day of Pentecost, had charged his companions with being "full of new wine," because they began "to speak with other tongues." And Peter continued, courageously, to tell of Jesus and his resurrection. His peroration was, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Judging by results, it is probable that as an evangelical effort this extemporaneous sermon of Peter's is without equal. The record continues, "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."

It should not be lost sight of, however, that the evangelistic work of both Peter and Paul was accompanied at all times by spiritual healing of physical disease. These works were so astounding to those who beheld them that they have come to be known as miracles. Nevertheless they were but divinely natural manifestations of the power of Christ, Truth, which the early Christians taught and preached. So it may be truly said that the primitive church was founded upon the spiritual healing of sin and sickness.

The Christian Science church and movement which is the reinstatement of primitive Christianity, is likewise founded upon spiritual healing. The Mother Church, which through its branches and its various activities is now extending into all parts of the world, finds its growth and expansion due to the fact that through the teaching and practice of Christian Science multitudes are being healed and regenerated. Because of its beneficent ministrations mankind is finding surcease from sorrow, healing of sin, disease, poverty, and discord of every nature. Except for this, The Mother Church could not continue to grow, and without this healing and regenerative work none of its branches could thrive or prosper. However, the growth and prosperity of our movement will be greatly expedited by the right kind of enthusiasm.

It is doubtful if persecution of some sort can be avoided by those who fearlessly stand for their convictions in the Christian ministry. It is not surprising, therefore, that workers in our Cause should sometimes encounter persecution. Jesus himself was persecuted. His immediate followers were subjected to indignity and humiliation. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, was misunderstood, misjudged, and maligned. Possibly because of this fact she wrote in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 28), "To suppose that persecution for righteousness' sake belongs to the past, and that Christianity to-day is at peace with the world because it is honored by sects and societies, is to mistake the very nature of religion;" and on pages 97 and 98 she says, "Earth has no repayment for the persecutions which attend a new step in Christianity; but the spiritual recompense of the persecuted is assured in the elevation of existence above mortal discord and in the gift of divine Love."

Apathy, inertia, passivity, mental laziness, self-ease, lethargy, and indifference, which are often superinduced, do not make for growth in either an individual or an organization. Right enthusiasm, courage, inspiration, joy, and genuine love for others dispel the sense of sluggishness and stagnation. They lead to greater understanding and increased demonstration of the divine fact stated by our Leader (ibid., pp. 519, 520), "The highest and sweetest rest, even from a human standpoint, is in holy work."

George Shaw Cook