Page:The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany.djvu/261

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PRINCIPLE OR PERSON?
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watch, and gaining the spirit of true watching, even the spirit of our Master's command? It must mean that.

Is there not something to watch in yourself, in your daily life, since “by their fruits ye shall know them,” which prevents an effective watch? Otherwise, wherefore the Lord's Prayer, “Deliver us from evil”? And if this something, when challenged by Truth, frightens you, should you not put that out instead of putting out your watch? I surely should. Then are you not made better by watching? I am. Which should we prefer, ease or dis-ease in sin? Is not discomfort from sin better adapted to deliver mortals from the effects of belief in sin than ease in sin? and can you demonstrate over the effects of other people's sins by indifference thereto? I cannot.

The Scriptures say, “They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6 : 14), thus taking the name of God in vain. Ignorance of self is the most stubborn belief to overcome, for apathy, dishonesty, sin, follow in its train. One should watch to know what his errors are; and if this watching destroys his peace in error, should one watch against such a result? He should not. Our Master said, “He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me . . . and he that loseth his life [his false sense of life] for my sake shall find it.” (Matthew 10: 38, 39.)


Principle or Person?

Do Christian Scientists love God as much as they love mankind? Aye, that's the question. Let us examine it for ourselves. Thinking of person implies that one is not