Editorial April 22, 1905 Issue

Our Easter

John B. Willis

On that first Easter Day, Truth gave adequate and eternal answer to every falsity of belief, every assertion of error. The cohorts of malice and hatred were marshaled in bitter antagonism to the dominion of Love, but their exulting self-confidence gave place to confusion and defeat before the might of him whose cross was to become the universal symbol of victory, whose opened tomb was to be the hope of the nations. From whatever point of view, whether that of the historian, the philosopher, or the religionist, the resurrection takes rank as the most startling, the most prophetic, the most inspiring event in the world's long drama. Its story is the one luminous paragraph of history, and as spiritually understood in Christian Science, it interprets the struggle and rewards the heart's desire of earth's every up-looking pilgrim. In the truth of this event the hope and happiness of all mankind is centered.

The truer, richer, and more helpful meaning of this "mighty happening is apprehended, however, only as we come to regard it, not as an isolated incident of a unique life, but as a natural consummation, the glorious ultimate of a series of kindred events in the consciousness of the world's Redeemer. The practical value of the thought lies in this, that the detail and duty of daily endeavor is thus linked to the highest and noblest possibility of spiritual experience, and the inspiration of a transcendent achievement becomes our helper in the well-doing of the little things, no less than the large. When we see that our resurrection is brought nigh by every decision and deed which is inspired by Truth and Love, then the minor phases of human experience take on higher relations and values. Our common life grows more intelligible, more worth-the-while, more interesting, more noble,—and the Easter blossoms are gathered throughout the year. To know that every effort to resist temptation, to return good for evil, to be gentle under provocation, forgiving under injustice, fearless when in danger, is to remove in-so-far the stone from the door of an entombed human sense,—this gives a new enthusiasm to purpose, a new bright star in the night-time, a new confidence for the morning, a new meaning to life. It is to acquire that stimulating and victorious attitude of thought in which Paul could say, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Continuity of worthy conduct can be maintained only as we learn to estimate every undertaking and opportunity in the light of its highest relations and significance. This ascension of thought, this trend of choice toward the better part,—this is our lifting up, our resurrection, and it is attained, through Christian Science, in every demonstration over the assertions of material belief. In the endeavor to fulfil the Master's injuction to heal the sick, we speedily learn that the value of treatment is largely determined by the spiritual freedom and exaltation of our thought. It is the perfected consciousness, the Christ risen within, which shines forth to banish the darkness of disease. As we rise in God-likeness our patients are lifted up; our Easter becomes their exceeding joy.

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