Editorial October 21, 1905 Issue

What of the Night?

Annie M. Knott

The thinker's query, What of the night? is being variously answered. On the one hand we have a ready admission that the age is too material; on the other, the statement that people are growing weary of the burdens imposed by materialism. It is conceded that the love of material possession leads to evil of every sort,—to rivalry, envy, jealousy, hatred, revenge, and death. It is not, however, generally seen that material belief is alone responsible for all the ills which afflict mankind; on the contrary it is supposed that a moderate pursuit of the material is consistent with altruism and progress, though the limitations to this pursuit are never clearly defined by those who protest against absorption in materiality. The failure to apprehend the vital purpose of religion is due to the belief that we are material, for the present at least, and that such being the case, we had better "seek first" the things of materiality,—a course directly opposite to that endorsed by Christ Jesus.

It is now being very generally admitted, however, that a deeper interest in spiritual things will not harm any one, nay, that it will do much good, if this interest does not become too absorbing and lead to dreaminess and neglect of the duties and obligations of the present time. It cannot be denied that many religious theories have had this tendency, and have produced a condition which was compared by a popular preacher to that of a stove which sent all its heat up the chimney, instead of radiating warmth throughout the household. Such a mistaken sense of spirituality lacks the inspiration which is needed to displace the darkness of materiality by the light of Truth and Love, and it has no place in Christian Science.

Many sincere seekers after truth complain that religion demands an assent to much that is utterly incapable of proof; i.e., the supernatural, and that this sort of belief does not effect the moral uplift of those who hold it. Christian Science meets all these objections with the proof that the religion of the Bible, when scientifically understood, is demonstrable in every condition of human experience. This understanding, which is gained through the study of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, gives, first of all, freedom from sickness and fear, without which no one is ready to work out the problems of life. It also gives freedom from sin, and this leads to the unfoldment of mental and spiritual faculties which can never be utilized while thought is darkened by selfishness and sensuality. The revelation of God as divine Principle makes mighty demands upon us for the demonstration of universal goodness, and as these are recognized and obeyed new opportunities for being and doing good continually present themselves. We do not need to seek the material, for it is perpetually crowded upon the weary sense of humanity, but we do need to seek God and things spiritual, though, as Paul said, "He be not far from any one of us," and in this search there is nothing indefinite or unsatisfying. Christian Science is indeed the religion for those who would prove as they pray. With true prayer comes spiritual illumination, healing, the desire and the opportunity to live the truth and to help (not merely let) others live it. This Science is making the sick whole, the dreamer practical, the agnostic devout, and it unites all of these in the bonds of a demonstrable and satisfying religion, thus bringing in the dawn of that day which has no night.

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