Already I clearly recognize that mental malpractice, if persisted in, will end in insanity, dementia, or moral idiocy. Thank G.o.d! this evil can be resisted by true Christianity. Divine Love is our hope, strength, and shield. We have nothing to fear when Love is at the [25]
helm of thought, but everything to enjoy on earth and in heaven.
The systematized centres of Christian Science are life- giving fountains of truth. Our churches, _The Christian_ _Science Journal_, and the _Christian Science Quarterly_, [30]
are prolific sources of spiritual power whose intellectual, moral, and spiritual animus is felt throughout the land.
[Page 114.]
Our Publishing Society, and our Sunday Lessons, are [1]
of inestimable value to all seekers after Truth. The Com- mittee on Sunday School Lessons cannot give too much time and attention to their task, and should spare no research in the preparation of the _Quarterly_ as an educa- [5]
tional branch.
The teachers of Christian Science need to watch inces- santly the trend of their own thoughts; watch that these be not secretly robbed, and themselves misguided, and so made to misteach others. Teachers must conform [10]
strictly to the rules of divine Science announced in the Bible and their textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." They must themselves practise, and teach others to practise, the Hebrew Decalogue, the Ser- mon on the Mount, and the understanding and enuncia- [15]
tion of these according to Christ.
They must always have on armor, and resist the foe within and without. They cannot arm too thoroughly against original sin, appearing in its myriad forms: pa.s.s- sion, appet.i.tes, hatred, revenge, and all the _et cetera_ of [20]
evil. Christian Scientists cannot watch too sedulously, or bar their doors too closely, or pray to G.o.d too fer- vently, for deliverance from the claims of evil. Thus doing, Scientists will silence evil suggestions, uncover their methods, and stop their hidden influence upon the [25]
lives of mortals. Rest a.s.sured that G.o.d in His wisdom will test all mankind on all questions; and then, if found faithful, He will deliver us from temptation and show us the powerlessness of evil,-even its utter nothingness.
The teacher in Christian Science who does not spe- [30]
cially instruct his pupils how to guard against evil and its silent modes, and to be able, through Christ, the liv-
[Page 115.]
ing Truth, to protect themselves therefrom, is commit- [1]
ting an offense against G.o.d and humanity. With Science and Health for their textbook, I am astounded at the apathy of some students on the subject of sin and mental malpractice, and their culpable ignorance of the work- [5]
ing of these-and even the teacher"s own deficiency in this department. I can account for this state of mind in the teacher only as the result of sin; otherwise, his own guilt as a mental malpract.i.tioner, and fear of being found out. [10]
The helpless ignorance of the community on this sub- ject is pitiable, and plain to be seen. May G.o.d enable my students to take up the cross as I have done, and meet the pressing need of a proper preparation of heart to prac- tise, teach, and live Christian Science! Your means of [15]
protection and defense from sin are, constant watchful- ness and prayer that you enter not into temptation and are delivered from every claim of evil, till you intelligently know and demonstrate, in Science, that evil has neither prestige, power, nor existence, since G.o.d, good, is All- [20]
in-all.
The increasing necessity for relying on G.o.d to de- fend us against the subtler forms of evil, turns us more unreservedly to Him for help, and thus becomes a means of grace. If one lives rightly, every effort to hurt one [25]
will only help that one; for G.o.d will give the ability to overcome whatever tends to impede progress. Know this: that you cannot overcome the baneful effects of sin on yourself, if you in any way indulge in sin; for, sooner or later, you will fall the victim of your own as [30]
well as of others" sins. Using mental power in the right direction only, doing to others as you would have them
[Page 116.]
do to you, will overcome evil with good, and destroy [1]
your own sensitiveness to the power of evil.
The G.o.d of all grace be with you, and save you from "spiritual wickedness in high places."
PLEASANT VIEW, CONCORD, N. H., [5]
June 3, 1895
Address Before The Christian Scientist a.s.sociation Of The Ma.s.sachusetts Metaphysical College, In 1893
SUBJECT: _Obedience_ [10]
_My Beloved Students_:-This question, ever nearest to my heart, is to-day uppermost: Are we filling the measures of life"s music aright, emphasizing its grand strains, swelling the harmony of being with tones whence come glad echoes? As _crescendo_ and _diminuendo_ accent [15]
music, so the varied strains of human chords express life"s loss or gain,-loss of the pleasures and pains and pride of life: gain of its sweet concord, the courage of honest convictions, and final obedience to spiritual law.
The ultimate of scientific research and attainment in [20]
divine Science is not an argument: it is not merely say- ing, but doing, the Word-demonstrating Truth-even as the fruits of watchfulness, prayer, struggles, tears, and triumph.
Obeying the divine Principle which you profess to un- [25]
derstand and love, demonstrates Truth. Never absent from your post, never off guard, never ill-humored, never unready to work for G.o.d,-is obedience; being "faith- ful over a few things." If in one instance obedience be lacking, you lose the scientific rule and its reward: namely, [30]
[Page 117.]
to be made "ruler over many things." A progressive [1]
life is the reality of Life that unfolds its immortal Prin- ciple.
The student of Christian Science must first separate the tares from the wheat; discern between the thought, [5]
motive, and act superinduced by the wrong motive or the true-the G.o.d-given intent and volition-arrest the former, and obey the latter. This will place him on the safe side of practice. We always know where to look for the real Scientist, and always find him there. I agree [10]
with Rev. Dr. Talmage, that "there are wit, humor, and enduring vivacity among G.o.d"s people."
Obedience is the offspring of Love; and Love is the Principle of unity, the basis of all right thinking and acting; it fulfils the law. We see eye to eye and know as we [15]
are known, reciprocate kindness and work wisely, in proportion as we love.
It is difficult for me to carry out a divine commission while partic.i.p.ating in the movements, or _modus operandi_, of other folks. To point out every step to a student and [20]
then watch that each step be taken, consumes time,- and experiments ofttimes are costly. According to my calendar, G.o.d"s time and mortals" differ. The neo- phyte is inclined to be too fast or too slow: he works somewhat in the dark; and, sometimes out of season, [25]
he would replenish his lamp at the midnight hour and borrow oil of the more provident watcher. G.o.d is the fountain of light, and He illumines one"s way when one is obedient. The disobedient make their moves before G.o.d makes His, or make them too late to follow Him. [30]
Be sure that G.o.d _directs_ your way; then, hasten to follow under every circ.u.mstance.
[Page 118.]
Human will must be subjugated. We cannot obey [1]
both G.o.d, good, and evil,-in other words, the ma- terial senses, false suggestions, self-will, selfish motives, and human policy. We shall have no faith in evil when faith finds a resting-place and scientific under- [5]
standing guides man. Honesty in every condition, under every circ.u.mstance, is the indispensable rule of obedience. To obey the principle of mathematics ninety- nine times in one hundred and then allow one numeral to make incorrect your entire problem, is neither Science [10]
nor obedience.
However keenly the human affections yearn to for- give a mistake, and pa.s.s a friend over it smoothly, one"s sympathy can neither atone for error, advance individual growth, nor change this immutable decree of Love: "Keep [15]
My commandments." The guerdon of meritorious faith or trustworthiness rests on being willing to work alone with G.o.d and for Him,-willing to suffer patiently for error until all error is destroyed and His rod and His staff comfort you. [20]
Self-ignorance, self-will, self-righteousness, l.u.s.t, covet- ousness, envy, revenge, are foes to grace, peace, and progress; they must be met manfully and overcome, or they will uproot all happiness. Be of good cheer; the warfare with one"s self is grand; it gives one plenty [25]
of employment, and the divine Principle worketh with you,-and obedience crowns persistent effort with everlasting victory. Every attempt of evil to harm good is futile, and ends in the fiery punishment of the evil-doer. [30]
Jesus said, "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth,
[Page 119.]
this defileth a man." If malicious suggestions whisper [1]
evil through the mind"s tympanum, this were no apology for acting evilly. We are responsible for our thoughts and acts; and instead of aiding other people"s devices by obeying them,-and then whining over misfortune,- [5]