Editorial April 26, 1952 Issue

SELFHOOD AND SELF-DISCIPLINE

Robert Ellis Key

The victory over sin and sickness is not secured without an effort. By striving we overcome, and by prayerful effort we conquer. Speaking of striving for the facts of being, Mary Baker Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 323), "This strife consists in the endeavor to forsake error of every kind and to possess no other consciousness but good."

We conquer error by a knowledge of God and by overcoming a false sense of self. A Latin proverb says, "He conquers who conquers himself." Self-discipline is necessary to overcome evil beliefs and destroy wrong tendencies. There is no short cut to heaven. We attain the kingdom of God by individual self-discipline, reason, conscience, and revelation.

To reach heaven we must quit hell, and as understood in Christian Science, hell is a word typifying all evil. Self-discipline is not a form of asceticism, a kill-joy, or an avoidance of legitimate pleasure. Christian Scientists are encouraged by their Leader to practice self-discipline. They are among the happiest people on earth, and this may be, at least in part, accounted for by the fact that they are learning to exercise dominion over wrong thinking and to enjoy the fruits of right endeavor.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
Notices
April 26, 1952
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit