Things of Importance

Duncan Sinclair

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said many things of vital importance to his fellow men. One of these was (Matthew 6:33), "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Obviously, the Master's intention was to emphasize the supreme value of the spiritual, while assuring his listeners that, in proportion to their righteousness, their needs should be supplied. As was his wont, Jesus courageously and scientifically put first things first—Spirit before matter, spirituality before materiality—pointing out what would result to those who gained the spiritual victory.

Jesus taught men how to enter the kingdom of God. In this connection, two statements of his stand out prominently. To the lawyer who asked him, "tempting him, ... Master, which is the great commandment in the law?" he gave as "the first and great commandment" the following (Matthew 22:35–39): "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind," and declared that "the second is like unto it," namely, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." This teaching of the Master is perfectly plain. It signifies that whoever would enter the kingdom of God—attain to spirituality and harmony—must love God supremely and his neighbor as himself.

Christian Scientists acknowledge this teaching to be true; and because it is true, it can be proved. They therefore endeavor to practice it. Indeed, their effort is to make their whole life conform to it, in the home, in business, the factory, the office—wherever they may be. In their church work, also, they never cease to hold before them the purpose for which the church organization with which they are connected—the Church of Christ, Scientist—exists, namely, to bring the truth about God and His creation before their fellow men, in order that the latter may learn to love God supremely and their neighbor as themselves.

The Christianity of Jesus is a religion of love. Paul emphasizes this in the thirteenth chapter of I Corinthians, one of the most beautiful pieces of writing ever to come from human pen. Mrs. Eddy also stresses the part which love should play in our lives, throughout the whole of her writings. Take love out of Christianity and we should have a system without vitality, devoid of healing power—a hollow mockery of religion. Jesus taught God's care for His children, even the Father's love for His own. He taught the power of Truth and Love to heal disease, to overcome sin and lack, to destroy the belief of death; and, reflecting Love, he demonstrated its power over these evils. And he told his fellow men that, when possessed of the understanding he had, they should do similar works of healing and redemption. It is this spiritual understanding which Christian Science is imparting to its students today, thereby enabling them, in the measure of their understanding, to do what the Master promised they should do. Writing of Christian duties, Mary Baker Eddy says (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 31): "First in the list of Christian duties, he [Jesus] taught his followers the healing power of Truth and Love. He attached no importance to dead ceremonies."

When love—love which is the reflection of God, divine Love—fills our consciousness, we can be certain that we are divinely protected. As our Leader puts it (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 113), "We have nothing to fear when Love is at the helm of thought, but everything to enjoy on earth and in heaven." This should be remembered by Christian Scientists, whatever the work in which they may be engaged. Are they feeling unhappy, depressed, perhaps sick, and laying the blame for this on the actions or thoughts of others? If so, they should examine themselves to find out just how much love is in their own hearts. And a good test of this is to ascertain to what extent they are unselfed; to what degree their thought is spiritualized, free from material aims and ambitions, pure and compassionate.

One thing of practical importance to progressive students of Christian Science is class instruction. Mrs. Eddy has made provision for this in the Church Manual; and Article XXVII should therefore be carefully studied. In connection therewith, Section 5 states explicitly that "members of The Mother Church who are authorized by its By-Laws to teach Christian Science, shall not solicit, or cause or permit others to solicit, pulpils for their classes." This injunction should be closely observed, since the choice of teacher should be the pupil's demonstration. Section 5 of this By-Law makes another demand on every loyal Christian Scientist when it says, "No member of this Church shall advise against class instruction." Prospective pupils should be guided in this, as in all other questions, by divine Mind. In this way they will be rightly directed.

There are other things of importance to the student who desires to progress spiritually. He will highly value the daily study of the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly, and esteem the privilege of attending church services regularly. He will see the necessity of supporting the various activities of our movement, including the lecture work, the work of the Reading Rooms of our churches, and the work of distributing our periodical literature. The Christian Scientist will recognize his duty in connection with all of these activities, and esteem it a privilege to aid them by consecrated mental work and practical co-operation.

Duncan Sinclair

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That Which Must Be Learned

November 4, 1939

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