Editorial December 26, 1908 Issue

THE NEW YEAR AND THE NEW LIFE

John B. Willis

The traditional time for turning over a new leaf has come again, and they are few, surely, who do not think it entirely in keeping for them to make the turn. While it is encouragingly true that perhaps the great majority honestly desire to do and to be better, it is also true that the efforts to put this good purpose into execution have been attended for the most part by very discouraging results; and for this reason among others, that the undertaking has been thought of as a tussle with veritable evils, a resistance of asserted forces which have been consciously or unconsciously accredited as real.

It is well, therefore, for us to remind ourselves again that all reforms, whether they be trifling or tremendous, are essentially mental, and that they are to be effected by knowing Truth rather than by fighting error. In the light of this vital teaching of Christian Science we shall find a new meaning in the declaration of Him "that sat upon the throne," as John tells us, and said, "Behold, I make all things new." If the new and nobler life covet is indeed from and of God, we do well to give up the idea at once and for all that spiritual progress is under bonds to human sense. The old Chronicler spoke discerningly when he said,

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