"By their fruits"

JEAN M. SHALLCROSS

MARY BAKER EDDY, in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," writes (p. 271): "Our Master said, 'But the Comforter . . . shall teach you all things.' When the Science of Christianity appears, it will lead you into all truth. The Sermon on the Mount is the essence of this Science, and the eternal life, not the death of Jesus, is its outcome." Because, as our Leader points out, the Sermon on the Mount is of such great importance, it must be to the advantage of every Christian Scientist to ponder, thoughtfully and prayerfully, the messages contained therein.

In this sermon Jesus said, "By their fruits ye shall know them." Surely these words are applicable to our thoughts; and we find in our study of Christian Science that it is our thoughts that count. Whatever our work may be, no matter how menial, if we do it to the glory of God, knowing that our real activity is the expressing of Godlike qualities, we may be sure that such thoughts will bring about the fruits of demonstration, proofs of our spiritual understanding or knowledge of the truth. These are the true thoughts which come from God, and which are based on Principle.

In Christian Science we learn that unspiritual thinking is wrong thinking, and that in the realm of the real there are no wrong thoughts. We know that God is good, that God is Mind, and that man is the reflection of God. This being true, it necessarily follows that true thoughts come from Mind, and cannot, therefore, be other than good. Jesus said, "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit;" and healthy, happy, loving, and pure thoughts are made manifest in our everyday living.

As a consequence, our harmonious thinking and living have their influence on the lives of those with whom we come in contact. If we manifest health, happiness, peace, and prosperity, we cannot fail to bless those around us. The joy which we express, and which comes with spiritual understanding, helps to attract others to the truth. The good which we express will be held in esteem in our communities, in our homes, our places of business, our churches. Thus, we are truly promoting the Cause of Christian Science.

Mrs. Eddy defines "Church" as follows (Science and Health, p. 583): "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle. The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprenhension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick." If we establish in our consciousness this true concept of Church, we can bring about more harmony in our church, more joy in our church work, greater individual progress and spiritual growth.

Grateful thoughts are fruitful, and we, as Christian Scientists, have much for which to be grateful. The opportunities we have to prove the truth, the church activities through which we receive it, a clearer understanding of what God is and what He does for man, are among the countless blessings that have come to us. Surely it is not difficult to be sincerely and humbly grateful for them; and if the road sometimes seems rough and beset with difficulties, let us remember, with deep gratitude, the blessings already bestowed on us; let us prove our gratitude by making constant use of these blessings, and thus be ready to receive more.

Thoughts which originate in Mind heal and bless. Such a thought came to Mrs. Eddy when she looked upon a crippled man, and said to him, "God loves you." She then went on her way, while the man arose and walked (Historical and Biographical Papers, Second Series, by Clifford P. Smith, p. 48). Surely this thought bore glorious fruit!

Thought which is cleared of material disturbances and directed into the expression of good is of necessity fruitful. A student once found herself suffering from a physical disorder. The condition had been manifest, to a degree, for some time in her experience, but now, and for apparently inexplicable reasons, it became alarmingly worse. After some help from a practitioner, the student, in taking stock of her thinking, found that many resentful and unloving thoughts had been allowed to creep in. She quickly realized that these were "the little foxes, that spoil the vines," and went to work at once to accomplish a mental house cleaning, applying what she knew of Christian Science. Before long the physical condition was completely healed; and this healing was permanent. Soon thereafter an inharmonious condition, which had been existent in her home, was entirely straightened out, for the good of all concerned.

How important it is to exclude the thoughts which would lead us astray, and to strive at all times to live up to the following tenet, to which we subscribe (Science and Health, p. 497): "And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure."

When we are about the Father's business, reflecting God, we may be sure that our thoughts will be fruitful ones.

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