Article November 16, 1907 Issue

MINE OWN INFIRMITY

MATHER ALMON ABBOTT.

It seems to be a peculiarity of mortals, or rather of mortal mind, to seek for cause in that which can have no possible effect. For instance, in the case of so-called skin diseases it is the custom to afflict the poor body with drugs or the skin with outward applications, as if the body or the skin were the cause of the disability. Lulled to spiritual torpor with the belief of life and causation in matter, mortal man, until awakened by Science, allows his thought to see danger on all sides outside of himself, not perceiving that the greatest danger lies within his own thought. If he ever does consider this as a possibility, he usually satisfies himself with the reflection that he is much better than some other men, who in spite of their sins seem to enjoy better health, security, and success than he. Surely it was such an experience as this that is revealed to us by the writer of the 77th Psalm. He had "cried unto the Lord;" but still his "sore ran in the night, and ceased not." He had no doubt prayed, even as mortals so often pray to an anthropomorphic deity to deliver them from the effect of that which is within, the error to which they themselves cling and which they will not surrender. Then, when there was no answer to his prayer, he became self-righteous, as mortals often do when they find fault with God or divine Science, which, as they think, heeds their prayers so little while they in their self-pity claim that they have done so much. "I call to remembrance my song in the night. I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favorable no more? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies?"

At this point in the Psalm those who undertook the musical arrangement have designated a pause (Selah). And they did this most rightly. We can feel the mental struggle, then the uncovering of error—"I said. This is my infirmity!" This was followed by the moment of self-surrender, "But I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High." The trouble was not sent by God. It was not any one else's fault. It was his own infirmity. His own, and for that very reason it could be the more easily cast out. We are not told what the sin was, but in that surrender of self the healing must have been perfected, for the rest of the Psalm is a glorious thanksgiving for the spiritual power of the one Almighty God, good.

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