Article October 17, 1908 Issue

REGRET OVERCOME

ADA J. MILLER

ONE of the most subtle phases of error that comes to hinder the advance of any one is regret. Every moment spent in regretting error is time spent in substantiating error's claim as a reality. Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health (p. 355), "As for sin and disease, Christian Science says, in the language of the Master, 'Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.' Let discord of every name and nature be heard no more, and let the harmonious and true sense of Life and being take possession of human consciousness."

Regret is obstruction to progress; it is not of Life, and is not a quality of Mind, therefore its indulgence is the indulgence of sin in a subtle form that would call itself good. Whatever impedes our progress out of the wilderness of mortal beliefs should be summarily dealt with. With Paul, we too must leave the things that are behind and press forward toward the mark of our high calling,—the demonstration of the truth of being, wherein we find man spiritual, not material; harmonious, not discordant; upright, not fallen; and see in him the image and likeness of God. If we deviate from Principle and find that we have an incorrect answer to our problem, regret will never correct the mistake; calm, clear study of our work will lead to the point where the error crept in. Even here there is occasion for rejoicing rather than for regretting, because a mistake discovered is easily rectified, and thereafter similar problems are more readily solved.

The strong character, even on the mortal plane, scorns the weakness of regret; he may not know how to review his work scientifically until the error is discovered, but he has the virtue of wasting no time in vainly dwelling upon what is irremediable. In Science we should rejoice in error uncovered and destroyed, because this is proof of progress and "progress is the law of God" (Science and Health, p. 233). In the light of Truth the words of Abigail to David become a direct message to us. No matter how slight or great our departure from Principle, if we see our mistake and turn from it, "this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offense of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself." Our direct call each moment is this, "Let the dead bury their dead" and "follow thou me."

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REGRET OVERCOME

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