Independent Christian Science articles

Our Place

From the Christian Science Journal December 1, 1883, by

I believe that God has given to everyone a place, and in this harmonious creation there is no void—nothing left out—nothing lacking. So, we may as well try to breathe without air, or think without mind, as to think we can rotate out of the divine order of being, or take any place other than our own. Others may try to usurp us; they may try to be like us; they may move earth and apparently heaven, to gain our position; but when God has placed us there, we are there, and naught can move us out of this our rightful inheritance.

If this were understood, many warfares would cease; envy and jealousy be exchanged for the peaceful gleams of joy and gratitude; and, mingling with the light of love, would bring to man new health and happiness,—yea, Life immortal.

We never see the stars vying for each other’s places, nor the sun and moon at variance; nor have we seen a Paul take Peter’s place, or John the place of our Master, or vice versa. Each fills its own, her own, his own place, whether they have knowledge of it or not; and I, for one, would be content in the sweet consciousness that I have a place with Thee, eternal Love, and however grand or great, humble or small, I am of Thy creation; therefore Thine.

The Way of Salvation

From Essays and Other Footprints by

How pitiful would be our fate if it were impossible for us to work out our own salvation! The belief that it is easier to make unreal the trouble of another than to rise above discord in our own experience is complete reversal of the truth about the way of salvation. To believe this is to check progress and paralyze all righteous effort, and that, of course, is the purpose of suggestion.

When we understand that the one business of evil is to lie, and assiduously to urge us to believe that lie, when we understand that the Christian Scientist’s business is to know enough about God and man to enable him to refute that lie, then all claims of evil will appear to be what they are in the ultimate analysis, nothing, and we shall find the task of refusing to believe no more arduous in one instance than in any other.

As I am the reflection of Life, which is the only intelligence and action, I am always acting, and never acted upon by fear, anxiety, discouragement, thought transference, nor any other claim of evil. The action and intelligence which I express lead me to see the right way in everything.

God never fails to be expressed through His ideas, and nothing can limit God’s expression. Your mentality is the expression of God. The source of intelligence is infinite and flows on abundantly through you, and your only responsibility is to listen in consciousness and Mind will do it all. There is no place where the Saviour, the Truth, is not working. It is working with you, and with all connected with you. Intelligence is at the helm and carries with it all action. No material condition ever stopped the flow of substance from divine Mind.

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Reformers

From Miscellaneous Writings by

The olden opinion that hell 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 accepted as the penalty for sin. This changed belief has wrought a change in the actions of men. Not a few individuals serve God (or try to) from fear; but remove that fear, and the worst of human passions belch forth their latent fires. Some people never repent until earth 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.

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 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 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 clustered round his coming. Even the loving children are sometimes made to believe a lie, and to hate reformers. It is pleasant, now, to contrast with that childhood’s wrong the reverence of my riper years for all who dare to be true, honest to their convictions, and strong of purpose.

The reformer has no time to give in defense of his own life’s incentive, since no sacrifice is too great for the silent endurance of his love. What has not unselfed love achieved for the race? All that ever was accomplished, and more than history has yet recorded. The reformer works on unmentioned, save when he is abused or his work is utilized in the interest of somebody. He may labor for the establishment of a cause which is fraught with infinite blessings, — health, virtue, and heaven; but what of all that? Who should care for everybody? It is enough, say they, to care for a few. Yet the good done, and the love that foresees more to do, stimulate philanthropy and are an ever-present reward. Let one’s life answer well these questions, and it already hath a benediction:

Have you renounced self? Are you faithful? Do you love?
Love is the liberator.