The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-23
SELF-EXAMINATION.

starring out 10 war. the knight Of old
had his arnor thoroughly examined. 10
see that there were no weak places where
tins weapon of the enemy could nnd an
entrance We need to keep close watch
on our Intentions ana motivsa 70 see
that no element of mortal sense has
worked In unawares.
Nothing is more dissastefui to mortal
sense than the task of self-examination.
At nothing does 1t utter louder protests.
The time seems to be wasted. Well 10
asks. have you nothing else TO do than to
think about yourself? ls IL not form OF
selfishness to be thus thiuk-thinking
about yourself when you ought to bs out
helping othsrsi But II the time wastedi
Are we always best em ployed when doing
that which the mortal sense approves as
being ''good, active serviceS" Is the time
wasted when the ship is lying in the dry
dock, being examined 60 see that she IL
Mt for the next voyagef
Sometimes We may wonder why we are
left with SO little to do In Science. Is IL
not that we need TO De taken into the dry
our slow sailing, we had better see to
our canvas. whether, In our conserva-
tism, We have not been keeping 1t partly
reeted; or II the blast has not shifted,
and become oEe-sided. We are always
too ready to look out instead of look In
for the cause Of any discord. The very
trials that are the most dIstasteful to US
should be the most precious, because they
lay bare faulss We would not otherwise
recognize. We are caused to ask ourselves
why? whyf over and over again, until
we discover the hidden error.
One may be able to demonstrate in
healing. TO great extent yet long to
reach higher spiritual thoughts and
understanding. Some ask, ar Inteili-
sence is infinite why do seem to be so
limited In this respect. Others, trying
to interest the people around them in
Christian Science, lind no response: no
demand made upon them from any direc-
tion. Again the question comes why am
not able to demonstrate the love of
Principle enough to draw all men,"
Disappointment and lmpstienoe try to
assert themselves. What are these but
the voice Of mortal sense, the result Of
our measuring ourselves by material,
limited ideas; trying to find the cause
through the result. instsad of the result
through the cause? We say, did not
thin that faithful following, as far as
we were abls, would result In this. We
seem to have no power in Truth, and
what 10 most distssteful to sense-we
seem to be ignored. Well, look In again;
are you willing to bear even this for
TRUTH Are you willing to have your
friends and ALL think you foolish In
wasting your time on this imaginary
theory" of Christian Sciences This may
be the very trial We most need. Be the
trial what it may. we may be sure that
1t Is only the working Of the serpent, as
1t tries to bite the heel Of Truth, which
soon will crush Its head. But. we may
say, have tried and tried to discover the
error but have failed. 1t has all been of
no use. Not sol This is.but the process
OF Truth and Love, like the leaven work
ing Ia the meal. Is Loves labor Iosts"
Never
The mentation In the -four is grad
uslly changing the whole mass and pre-
pairing it for more useful service. The
very fermen sation, which is chemical
ization." and which seems TO be des-
troying the meal, or flour, is that which,
In the oven. makas the bread light and
palatable. II We arc earnestly and
honestly seeking the Truth, tie time
will, must come when tho warmth OF
Love will check this fermentation, and
control its effects on us to the glory of
our Father. This is the trial of our
faith that worketh patience; but "Let
patience have her perfect work, for we
know that "ali things work together for
good to them that love God." j. j. Is.