“Now,” cried the apostle, “is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation;” meaning, not that now men must prepare for a future-world salvation, or safety, but that now is the time in which to experience that salvation, in Spirit and Life.
The progress of Truth confirmed its claims. From sensuality and sin, every good word and work of our Master evoked denial, ingratitude, and betrayal.
Of the ten lepers that Jesus healed, but one returned to give God thanks, — that is, to acknowledge the Principle that healed him.
Jesus bore our infirmities and felt the error of human belief, and “through his stripes we are healed.” “Despised and rejected of men,” returning blessing for cursing, he taught mortals the opposite of themselves, even the nature of God; and when error felt the power of Truth, the scourge and cross awaited the Teacher.
The Man of Sorrows was in no peril from salary or popularity. Deserving the homage of the world, meriting pre-eminently the approval of God, his brief triumphal entry into Jerusalem was followed by the desertion of all save a few friends, who followed mourning to the foot of the cross. The earthly price of spirituality in a material age, and the great moral distance between Christianity and sensualism, preclude Science from finding favor with the million.
These lines by F. W. Myers touch the solitude of Truth in the world: —
| Safe to the hidden house of Thine abiding, |
| Carry the weak ones and the heart that faints. |
| Shield from the scorn, and cover from the chiding; |
| Give the world joy, but patience to the saints. |
