Editorial August 24, 1907 Issue

OVERCOMING

Annie M. Knott

Not long since some one gave his opinion of Christian Science as a philosophy which teaches people to "grin and bear" their troubles. The outsider's point of view is seldom a correct one, and this critic's opinion of Christian Science could scarcely have been farther from the fact. The belief that one is doing nothing when he ceases to employ material remedies shows how very materialistic popular thought has become. The age boasts of its intelligence, and straightway rejects the teaching that Mind-power can maintain or restore harmony in the human body. In very few cases are people willing even to investigate the claims of Christian Science, until driven to do so by suffering which cannot be relieved through material means. When willing to make an unbiased investigation of the subject and to accept the truth which heals, a great surprise is the first experience of most people, and the entire reasonableness of Mrs. Eddy's teachings is what occasions this surprise. In many instances the quickness with which healing is realized is no less surprising.

The acceptance of Christian Science is followed by a wonderful change in one's outlook; it is no longer possible to think of yielding slavish obedience to the exactions of disease, or of so-called health laws which only bring bondage; freedom, mental and physical, is the goal of him who accepts Christian Science, and the overcoming of fear, pain, and sin is the way to reach it. Who, under material treatment, ever thought of addressing himself to the task of overcoming disease, so that he need never fear this enemy again? or, in like manner, of overcoming sin for himself or others, and thus realizing the freedom "wherewith Christ hath made us free"? And yet it is in working at this task—the overcoming of all that is unlike God—that health and entire freedom are gained. More than this, new and hitherto unknown possibilities are seen to be included in man's birthright as a child of the infinite Father, and their perception is another call to overcome the difficulties, often seemingly insuperable, which lie between this vision and its realization, but the truth bids us press on to the full joy of possession.

All this time, be it remembered, the relief from suffering is actual relief. Christian Science is no "grin and bear it" philosophy! When the truth of being enters the suffering human consciousness it comes as light, and actually dispels the darkness of fear, doubt, and pain. The light of Truth manifests itself to the sufferer as health, and as its spiritual nature is understood it is held as a priceless treasure, for health, from the Christian Science standpoint, is the evidence to each one of the divine presence, power, and government. It is, therefore, not subject to chance, change, or accident, and such being the case it is readily seen why Christian Scientists exhibit such fortitude in their efforts to overcome the sense of suffering. They are sure of the divine Principle that heals all disease, and they are also sure of the law through which the healing is realized, for they are proving it constantly in all the minutiæ of human affairs, in the overcoming of all the petty discords of materiality, which, if allowed sway, mar the sense of harmony and often result in prolonged ill-health on the part of those who do not know the divine remedy, the truth.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Letters

LETTERS TO OUR LEADER