The Little Book

“AND he had in his hand a little book open,” John writes in Revelation; and farther on John states that the little book “shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.” In the little book, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” (p. 559), Mrs. Eddy says, “It will be indeed sweet at its first taste, when it heals you; but murmur not over Truth, if you find its digestion bitter.”

As one begins the study of Christian Science, through the pathway of investigation or a yearning for the truth, one rejoices over its sweetness. The love of God is so good to know; the tenderness of His care one wants to spread before the world; the joy of the great discovery of the new-old truth dawns upon consciousness and fills thought with the ever-presence of good. As one progresses a little farther along this path of conscientious effort which leads into God’s vineyard, surprise may await the searcher to find that it is at times a rugged road. Obstacles are there to be surmounted. Why should this be? Is not God all there is? How could an obstruction arise when one knows . that divine Love fills all space? Mayhap the path leads into active church membership, as of course it does, before very long, with all who truly see the Christ. There, the beginner feels confidently assured, nothing but harmony will be found; yet, bewilderment confronts one. What is the difficulty? Problems are to be solved, steps to be taken; and there is not always unity of thought.

As one puzzles over this, perhaps his first thought is of rebellion, it may seem so utterly out of accord with good. Then, possibly, criticism creeps in. Why is not a more harmonious sense manifested? There should be one Mind apparent to all. And so the argument runs on. Finally, as the Lesson-Sermons are studied and pondered daily; as various demonstrations are made; and as church work is conscientiously and lovingly done, there unfolds to thought the meaning of what John heard the angel say; and humbly we realize Mrs. Eddy’s admonition, as quoted above. The dogma of the ages still clings to the thought reaching out for a better understanding of God and man’s relationship to Him; Pharisaism and self-righteousness appear as parasites; and self-will seems to be a means whereby the world’s opposition to the truth attempts to hinder the upward step.

The membership of any branch church is a gathering together of those who understand something of the truth, the absoluteness of which is accepted. And here the warfare begins. To be willing to admit that Christian Science is the truth, and that one is relying on it for every need, is a big step in the right direction. This having been done, the practice of this reliance is the next step to be undertaken. To be able to stand, and work, and watch, and pray unceasingly is the problem. The efforts of evil would bring about stagnation; make one forget one’s duty; lure one into the bypath of self-satisfaction; or, under the guise of personal saviorship, make one think he can accomplish greater work by deviating from the prescribed government of the Christian Science organization. These aggressive efforts are ofttimes so hidden by the veil of hypocrisy that the work of practicing the truth needs constant watchfulness, and a willingness to work and pray.

Every one who has begun the study of Christian Science with an earnest desire to follow in the Master’s footsteps finds the opportunities for practice coming daily and hourly. As he makes use of these opportunities, his outlook constantly broadens, and his daily life grows less worldly and more Godlike. If he does not make use of them, but allows self-pity to turn his blessings into tribulations, he finds he is being fed with the husks of materiality, and that the swinish thoughts of mortal mind, instead of the angels of God’s presence, or the good thoughts that keep him at-one with God, are his companions.

When the prodigal son saw that he had been pursuing a wrong course in his riotous living, he repented and returned to his father. The parable does not say that he even once looked back again; nor that he complained as he went. He started on his homeward way, and the father saw him “a great way off” and ran to meet him. What a blessed assurance! The father held no condemnation; he joyously welcomed the returned wanderer, even going out to meet his son.

As we start on our journey to the Father, leaving behind the riot of materialism, may we not meekly pray that none of its husks shall clog our footsteps? As each step is taken, is it not necessary to recognize that we must strive so earnestly to reach the Father’s house that nothing shall hinder our journey? As we do this, we shall also realize that all who have honestly named the name of Christian Science have also relinquished to some extent their hold on materialism, and have started toward the Father. Some may go a little faster, some may be a little more steadfast, some more slow; but in each and every instance the yearning heart will reach His outstretched arms: nothing can prevent this. Thus we should patiently run the race, willing to wait a while, if need be, along the road; but constantly, continuously rejoicing that on ahead is the loving welcome of the heavenly Father. In this effort to follow the straight and narrow path which leads to God, we may rejoice that with the cross of human endeavor comes also the crown of humility, of contentment in work done for Him, and of love in laboring for the freeing of mankind from the shackles of sin, disease, and death.

In the upward pathway the battle ground is what claims to be one’s own thought; and sometimes we are obliged to tread “with bleeding footprints” (Science and Health, p. 41) the way before us; and then human sense cries out for human sympathy. Yet, as we send out a yearning prayer to the very heart of divine Love, we come closer than ever before to a realization of how good God is; how understandingly He cares for us; how tenderly His outstretched arms await us! If the condition to be met is an individual one, the victory may be attained by turning thought away from the specific situation and steadfastly holding to the fact that the right idea is all there is, and that this right idea of man, unfettered and free, is always perfectly expressed, and nothing else can in reality be known or experienced.

If the problem presented be a church problem, there can be only one thing before the thought,—our beloved Cause. Church being founded upon divine Principle, the need is to pray unceasingly that Principle may be clearly seen and unswervingly obeyed. Evil would like to misconstrue our motives, belie our actions, and in every way pull down our works; but if we are willing to stand firmly for the Cause of Christian Science, regardless of mortal mind’s seeming activities, can a lie accomplish anything? It cannot. If the national welfare is imperiled, since the nation is but a collection of individuals the battle ground still must be in individual thought; and as individuals are healed, the nation will naturally respond and manifest this good. As each situation arises, it must be seen as one of two things: either it is from God, or it is not. If it is not from God, then it must be dealt with in whatever way divine Mind appoints,—sometimes summarily, sometimes patiently, letting the evil destroy itself, but always as nothing; for there is no reality in evil. When a situation is seen to be but a false belief, and the need for its erasure is squarely faced, it is amazing how rapidly it disappears; for evil shrinks into nothingness before the light of Truth. It is the mortal instinct to put off facing a situation which allows a loophole; and from this vantage ground evil claims opportunity.

As these facts are recognized, and one sees that the healing process must go on constantly and continuously, he who desires above all else to serve God will accept calmly and willingly the necessity to be up and doing. He will not murmur over any problem of whatever nature. If he finds himself temporarily off guard and inclined to murmur, he will not waste his time in condemnation, but will again bravely face the truth and go on his way with renewed endeavor; and as he presses on, he will find joy, peace, contentment, and rejoicing, for the false beliefs uncovered have destroyed themselves.

Our beloved Leader did not murmur,—that we know; for if she had, we would not have to-day the wonders her love has provided for us,— our church organization, our periodical literature, and her priceless gift to mankind, Science and Health and her other writings. Throughout all the experiences of our Christian warfare we can never fail to find God’s love, His tenderness, and His care, if we turn to Him. Then, though we may find “its digestion bitter,” yet shall the Christian Scientist rejoice in the opportunity of serving as a soldier under God’s command. We would not miss one single battle, for victory is always assured. Mrs. Eddy, in speaking of the Master, tells us in “Unity of Good” (p. 58), “He was too wise not to be willing to test the full compass of human woe, being ‘in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.'” He did not murmur; should we?