Part 46 (2/2)
of his relation to G.o.d. He is no longer obliged to sin, be sick, and die to reach heaven, but is required and em- powered to conquer sin, sickness, and death; thus, as image and likeness, to reflect Him who destroys death [5]
and h.e.l.l. By this reflection, man becomes the partaker of that Mind whence sprang the universe.
In Christian Science, progress is demonstration, not doctrine. This Science is ameliorative and regenerative, delivering mankind from all error through the light and [10]
love of Truth. It gives to the race loftier desires and new possibilities. It lays the axe at the root of the tree of knowledge, to cut down all that bringeth not forth good fruit; ”and blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” It touches mind to more spiritual issues, sys- [15]
tematizes action, gives a keener sense of Truth and a stronger desire for it.
Hungering and thirsting after a better life, we shall have it, and become Christian Scientists; learn G.o.d aright, and know something of the ideal man, the real [20]
man, harmonious and eternal. This movement of thought must push on the ages: it must start the wheels of reason aright, educate the affections to higher resources, and leave Christianity unbiased by the superst.i.tions of a senior period. [25]
Injustice
Who that has tried to follow the divine precept, ”All things whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them,” has not suffered from the
[Page 236.]
situation?-has not found that human pa.s.sions in their [1]
reaction have misjudged motives?
Throughout our experience since undertaking the labor of uplifting the race, we have been made the re- pository of little else than the troubles, indiscretions, [5]
and errors of others; until thought has shrunk from contact with family difficulties, and become weary with study to counsel wisely whenever giving advice on per- sonal topics.
To the child complaining of his parents we have said, [10]
”Love and honor thy parents, and yield obedience to them in all that is right; but you have the rights of con- science, as we all have, and must follow G.o.d in all your ways.”
When yielding to constant solicitations of husband or [15]
wife to give, to one or the other, advice concerning diffi- culties and the best way to overcome them, we have done this to the best of our ability,-and always with the pur- pose to restore harmony and prevent dishonor. In such cases we have said, ”Take no counsel of a mortal, even [20]
though it be your best friend; but be guided by G.o.d alone;” meaning by this, Be not estranged from each other by anything that is said to you, but seek in divine Love the remedy for all human discord.
Yet, notwithstanding one's good intentions, in some [25]
way or at some step in one's efforts to help another, as a general rule, one will be blamed for all that is not right: but this must not deter us from doing our duty, whatever else may appear, and at whatever cost.
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Reformers
The olden opinion that h.e.l.l is fire and brimstone, has yielded somewhat to the metaphysical fact that suffering is a thing of mortal mind instead of body: so, in place of material flames and odor, mental anguish is generally [5]
accepted as the penalty for sin. This changed belief has wrought a change in the actions of men. Not a few individuals serve G.o.d (or try to) from fear; but remove that fear, and the worst of human pa.s.sions belch forth their latent fires. Some people never repent until earth [10]
gives them such a cup of gall that conscience strikes home; then they are brought to realize how impossible it is to sin and not suffer. All the different phases of error in human nature the reformer must encounter and help to eradicate. [15]
This period is not essentially one of conscience: few feel and live now as when this nation began, and our forefathers' prayers blended with the murmuring winds of their forest home. This is a period of doubt, inquiry, speculation, selfishness; of divided interests, marvellous [20]
good, and mysterious evil. But sin can only work out its own destruction; and reform does and must push on the growth of mankind.
Honor to faithful merit is delayed, and always has been; but it is sure to follow. The very streets through [25]
which Garrison was dragged were draped in honor of the dead hero who did the hard work, the immortal work, of loosing the fetters of one form of human slavery. I remember, when a girl, and he visited my father, how a childish fear cl.u.s.tered round his coming. I had heard [30]
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