[Page 263.]
pleasure in thus doing; but if my motives are sinister, [1]
they will harm myself only, and I shall have the unself- ish joy of knowing that the wrong motives are not yours, to react on yourselves.
These two words in Scripture suggest the sweetest [5]
similes to be found in any language-_rock_ and _feathers_: "Upon this rock I will build my church;" "He shall cover thee with His feathers." How blessed it is to think of you as "beneath the shadow of a great rock in a weary land," safe in His strength, building on His [10]
foundation, and covered from the devourer by divine protection and affection. Always bear in mind that His presence, power, and peace meet all human needs and reflect all bliss.
Things To Be Thought Of
The need of their teacher"s counsel, felt by students, [16]
especially by those at a distance, working a.s.siduously for our common Cause,-and their constant pet.i.tions for the same, should be met in the most effectual way.
To be responsible for supplying this want, and poise [20]
the wavering balance on the right side, is impracticable without a full knowledge of the environments. The educational system of Christian Science lacks the aid and protection of State laws. The Science is hampered by immature demonstrations, by the infancy of its dis- [25]
covery, by incorrect teaching; and especially by unprin- cipled claimants, whose mad ambition drives them to appropriate my ideas and discovery, without credit, ap- preciation, or a single original conception, while they
[Page 264.]
quote from other authors and give them credit for every [1]
random thought in line with mine.
My n.o.ble students, who are loyal to Christ, Truth, and human obligations, will not be disheartened in the midst of this seething sea of sin. They build for time and eter- [5]
nity. The others stumble over misdeeds, and their own unsubstantiality, without the groundwork of right, till, like camera shadows thrown upon the mists of time, they melt into darkness.
Unity is the essential nature of Christian Science. Its [10]
Principle is One, and to demonstrate the divine One, demands oneness of thought and action.
Many students enter the Normal cla.s.s of my College whom I have not fitted for it by the Primary course.
They are taught their first lessons by my students; hence [15]
the aptness to a.s.similate pure and abstract Science is somewhat untested.
"As the twig is bent, the tree"s inclined." As mortal mind is directed, it acts for a season. Some students leave my instructions before they are quite free from [20]
the bias of their first impressions, whether those be cor- rect or incorrect. Such students are more or less subject to the future mental influence of their former teacher.
Their knowledge of Mind-healing may be right theo- retically, but the moral and spiritual status of thought [25]
must be right also. The tone of the teacher"s mind must be pure, grand, true, to aid the mental development of the student; for the tint of the instructor"s mind must take its hue from the divine Mind. A single mistake in metaphysics, or in ethics, is more fatal than a mistake in [30]
physics.
If a teacher of Christian Science unwittingly or inten-
[Page 265.]
tionally offers his own thought, and gives me as authority [1]
for it; if he diverges from Science and knows it not, or, knowing it, makes the venture from vanity, in order to be thought original, or wiser than somebody else,-this divergence widens. He grows dark, and cannot regain, [5]
at will, an upright understanding. This error in the teacher also predisposes his students to make mistakes and lose their way. Diverse opinions in Science are stultifying. All must have _one_ Principle and the same rule; and all _who follow the Principle and rule_ have but [10]
one opinion of it.
Whosoever understands a single rule in Science, and demonstrates its Principle according to rule, is master of the situation. n.o.body can gainsay this. The ego- tistical theorist or shallow moralist may presume to [15]
make innovations upon simple proof; but his mistake is visited upon himself and his students, whose minds are, must be, disturbed by this discord, which extends along the whole line of reciprocal thought. An error in premise can never bring forth the real fruits of Truth. [20]
After thoroughly explaining spiritual Truth and its ethics to a student, I am not morally responsible for the mis- statements or misconduct of this student. My teachings are uniform. Those who abide by them do well. If others, who receive the same instruction, do ill, the fault [25]
is not in the culture but the soil.
I am constantly called to settle questions and disaf- fections toward Christian Science growing out of the departures from Science of self-satisfied, unprincipled students. If impatient of the loving rebuke, the stu- [30]
dent must stop at the foot of the grand ascent, and there remain until suffering compels the downfall of his self-
[Page 266.]
conceit. Then that student must struggle up, with bleed- [1]
ing footprints, to the G.o.d-crowned summit of unselfish and pure aims and affections.
To be two-sided, when these sides are moral oppo- sites, is neither politic nor scientific; and to abridge a [5]
single human right or privilege is an error. Whoever does this may represent me as doing it; but he mistakes me, and the subjective state of his own mind for mine.
The true leader of a true cause is the unacknowledged servant of mankind. Stationary in the background, this [10]
individual is doing the work that n.o.body else can or will do. An erratic career is like the comet"s course, dash- ing through s.p.a.ce, headlong and alone. A clear-headed and honest Christian Scientist will demonstrate the Prin- ciple of Christian Science, and hold justice and mercy as [15]
inseparable from the unity of G.o.d.
Unchristian Rumor
The a.s.sertion that I have said hard things about my loyal students in Chicago, New York, or any other place, is utterly false and groundless. I speak of them as I feel, [20]
and I cannot find it in my heart not to love them. They are essentially dear to me, who are toiling and achieving success in unison with my own endeavors and prayers.
If I correct mistakes which may be made in teaching or lecturing on Christian Science, this is in accordance with [25]
my students" desires, and thus we mutually aid each other, and obey the Golden Rule.
The spirit of lies is abroad. Because Truth has spoken aloud, error, running to and fro in the earth, is scream-
[Page 267.]
ing, to make itself heard above Truth"s voice. The [1]
audible and inaudible wail of evil never harms Scientists, steadfast in their consciousness of the nothingness of wrong and the supremacy of right.
Our worst enemies are the best friends to our growth. [5]
Charity students, for whom I have sacrificed the most time,-those whose chief aim is to injure me,-have caused me to exercise most patience. When they report me as "_hating_ those whom I do not love," let them re- member that there never was a time when I saw an op- [10]
portunity really to help them and failed to improve it; and this, too, when I knew they were secretly striving to injure me.
Vainglory