Article February 22, 1908 Issue

THE HABIT OF CRITICISM

CLARENCE W. CHADWICK.

There is an inherent tendency in finite human nature to look for imperfection, and it usually finds what it looks for. Human nature has no perfect standard or model of its own by which to judge, because it does not recognize or accept the Christ-idea of perfection in God and man. From its own finite view-point it can and does consistently assert that there is no use to look for perfection in this world, since it cannot be found here. Such must ever be the verdict of the so-called physical senses. Had humanity ceased to be governed by these senses there would be no inclination or disposition to pick flaws, nor to look for any evil trait or infirmity in man that it would not expect to find in God.

The besetting sin of criticising everything and everybody is one that has seemingly gained ground with the progress of modern civilization. This may readily be accounted for when one stops to think that neither the study of theology nor of the natural sciences has brought about the necessary correction of sense testimony to do away with this and other enslaving mental habits. Humanity has been so drilled in the contemplation of imperfect thought-models that it is loath to grapple with the idea of spiritual perfection. It scarcely deems it worthy of any serious consideration. False theology, more than anything else, is responsible for this lethargic disinclination to reach out for a present understanding of Spirit and its perfect manifestations. It has not promised humanity anything practical or tangible as a result of attempting to know anything about Spirit in this present world. The example of the great Master metaphysician has not been held up as the one and only standard of right-thinking, hence the woeful misunderstanding of his words and works, and the unrestrained habit of thinking at random upon all subjects.

Jesus never made the mistake of criticising or judging any one. His was the "higher criticism" of Spirit, "comparing spiritual things with spiritual." He said, "Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true." Mrs. Eddy clearly portrays Jesus' mental attitude in these words from Science and Health (p. 476). "Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals. In this perfect man the Saviour saw God's own likeness, and this correct view of man healed the sick." Does it not follow that, because Jesus refused to judge or criticise after the manner of men, he was enabled to heal the sick? And so will it be with all his followers; they too will heal the sick when they overcome the habit of habitually criticising and judging the personal appearance, actions, and motives of men. Is not this a sufficient incentive to stimulate earnest and prayerful consideration of the perfect Christ model? Why should any professing Christian refuse to investigate Christian Science when its sole aim is to establish in the hearts of humanity the true or perfect idea of man? Any honest seeker who lays aside all prejudice and unfriendly criticism can prove the truth of the scientific contention that God makes no other than a perfect spiritual man, and that a correct understanding of this fact heals the sick. It is being proven daily in thousands of instances that right-thinking has power to heal. Such thinking is not the careless indulgence of the habit of criticism. It is not personal censure or condemnation, or any other corporeal consideration of any one, but the natural and lawful expression of man's divine intelligence, of the Mind that was with Christ Jesus.

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