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"THE LABORER IS WORTHY OF HIS HIRE."

THE

REV. E. R. HARDY, C. S. D.

HUS saith the Lord, The labor of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia . . . shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine." In the ninth chapter of First Corinthians Paul says, "If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things?" According to the rule of Christian Science, the price of heavenly riches is the sacrifice of our sense of value in material treasures; for, even while the Scripture abides firm that "The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof," doth not Jesus say, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also"? The present demands of us every hour, in which to adjust our vision to the perception of Truth. The Science of Christianity makes no compromise with the material senses, but says to mortals: "These senses deceive you; they would belittle Omnipotence, by presenting false views of all that represents Reality." At the root of every tree yielding not the peaceable fruits of justice and Love, has been laid the axe that shall hew it down that it may be cast into the fire.

The Christian Scientist cannot follow Christ (Truth), and at the same time give heed either to the worldling's methods, his theories or his advice; nor should he be dependent upon the charity of the world for his support. Solomon asked for an understanding heart, and God said unto him: "Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life," in the senses, "neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies. . . I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honor." (1 Kings iii. 11.) Carefully following the history of Solomon in the fulfilment of this Word, we discover that he obtained honor through serving his people wisely and peaceably, while riches without measure came to him through

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his demanding stipulated dues from those who were being benefitted through his wise government.

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Our Master once said when sending his disciples out, Freely ye have received, freely give "; referring, of course, to the divine message, Grace or Christian Science. A careful study of this Scripture will show that while teaching them to preach the Gospel freely, he also informs them that their healing art should be their sole channel for temporal supply. They were commanded to take one coat only; not for the reason that they would be regarded with more favor as God's messengers, by those to whom they went, nor that they might be looked upon more charitably and thus obtain donations. Not so! It was for the far better purpose of showing the disciples themselves, that while making the most successful demonstration of Truth's all-healing power, they must, at all times and in all surroundings, rely wholly upon the spiritual potency of divine Mind to supply every human need. They were not to look to the outgrown beliefs, from which they were to depart, for so much as a change of raiment; for the stated reason that the workman is worthy of

his hire.

In 1 Chronicles, xxix, we read that David blessed the Lord, the God of Israel and said: "Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine. . . . Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou rulest over all." Surely, the disciple is commanded to "Render therefore unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's ; and unto God the things that are God's." David saw in the eastern horizon of his own experience a coming Messiah; he also saw within the range of the same vision the man whom he calls "Blessed," because he feareth the Lord and delighteth in his commandments. "His seed," says the Psalmist," shall be mighty upon earth; the generation of the upright shall be blessed wealth and riches are in his house." Again he says, in the thirty-seventh Psalm, speaking concerning his earthly experience: "I have been young, and now am old," old in experience; "Yet have I not seen the

righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging their bread. All the day long he dealeth graciously, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore, For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints." Solomon, also, said of wisdom: "Length of days is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor."

In these and many other passages, one may observe that success and honor, as well as health and length of days, wait upon the seed of Abraham in the land of Israel. Independence, not dependence, characterizes the entire instruction of the Scriptures, even as color gives beauty of character to the rainbow of promise; but where shall we look for the underlying framework upon which are based the methods of Christian Scientists, in their systematic practice of healing and teaching for stipulated fees?

All Bible students admit, that the children of Israel in Egypt represent mankind sold into slavery to the world of carnal sense. Under this yoke, the first requirement of Justice was then, and is now, sacrifice; after which, comes deliverance from the midnight of woe. Moses, the moral lawgiver, was called upon to heal their disease by calling them. from their servitude to unjust taskmasters. Through sacrifices he showed them the way out into the wilderness that should become to them the vestibule of a livelier hope, and furnish an open door to a land of rest, peace and plenty. The course through the "wilderness" from Egypt to this land, like the mental course from material sense to spiritual consciousness, involves obedience to a law-giver that at times seems merciless to the footsore wayfarer: but, as Joshua became the willing and obedient servant of Moses before. being chosen a spy to enter the promised land and bring a "good report; so we must needs first serve with meekness, in order to become strong in the faith that lets go of the material; thereafter to become strong in the hand of the Mighty One that finally and fully delivers from the country of sin-bound sense.

Moses was appointed from among his brethren to interpret Wisdom's ways, and to give daily instruction during

the journey. What was his first commission to them? "I will give this people," the one who has chosen to come out and become separate, "favor in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty but every woman shall ask of her neighbor, and of her that sojourneth in her house," those most closely related by mere ties of flesh, "jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment," the most esteemed and treasured objects representing value to them; "and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians."

Let us see if the command here given Moses did not temporarily prove to him a stumbling-block, or temptation; and also, if it does not uncover in mortal thought the very sentiment that to-day furnishes occasion for this article. Like this deliverer, the would-be practitioner of Christian Science has been called to the noble mission of freeing hist brethren from their bondage to the senses.

Moses stood before Wisdom, a trembling doubter. How were his doubts and fears dispelled? Moses, "What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod." This figure of speech points to his mental condition. Gold and silver were in his hand." To his sense of strength, it was a material staff and means of support, hence he said it was a rod. Wisdom bade him cast this belief to the ground; and as he did so, its claims were uncovered to him, it appearing as a serpent to be feared. He would have fled away from before this sense of evil, in hope of finding refuge from the thought of demanding gold, silver and clothing as a means of destroying his neighbors, the Egyptians. His instruction is not yet complete. The mortal claims of evil seem now more real than ever; he seems to see them as a veritable serpent. false claims of life and substance and intelligence in matter, must be expelled from thought; hence, Wisdom bids him put forth his hand and "take it by the tail," by that extremity which affords no claim of intelligence. Then he grasped the spiritual instruction, he put forth his hand, and laid hold of it," he seized the claims of error as com

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