Editorial April 11, 1908 Issue

ENLARGED CAPACITIES

Editor

Christian Science is doing wonders in overcoming the belief that a man's capacities are developed at an early period in his experience, and that then they not only cease to unfold, but instead are likely to diminish. Christian Science teaches that "the human capacities are enlarged and perfected in proportion as humanity gains the true conception of man and God," to use Mrs. Eddy's words (Science and Health, p. 258). It is true that so long as we believe our capacities and faculties to be dependent upon matter, — upon brain and nerves, — we shall fail to realize or express man's infinite possibilities, for no stream can rise any higher than its source; not that matter is ever the source of intellectual endowment, but human belief has long assented to this false view and refused to recognize Spirit, God, divine Mind, as the only source of man's intelligence and strength. This does not mean that a mortal has infinite capabilities; rather does it show the need of giving up the false mortal concept, — letting it "die daily," — that the true man, God's idea, may be understood and his capabilities demonstrated.

That this is no mere theory is being proved daily by thousands, who have, as it were, taken up life anew in Christian Science, some of whom had believed that their days of usefulness were over, and others that they had never been and never would be of much use in the world. To such, Paul's words, "Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ," have a new and vital meaning. In the light of divine Science this means that all which was possible to the well-beloved is possible to every one who desires to be governed by spiritual law and who makes not "provision for the flesh," to quote Paul further.

The practical importance of this teaching, at any stage in the working out of the human problem, cannot be overestimated. If we are progressing as we should, new duties will be constantly coming to us in addition to those which already engage our time and effort, and it may be that the old sense of limitation will clamor for recognition — will tell us that we cannot do more than we are doing. But what about the enlarging and perfecting of our capacities, as taught in Science? Does not this imply the possibility of doing more work and better work each day of our eternal unfoldment? Mrs. Eddy answers this grandly in her reference to "spiritual energies" and "God-given powers and resources" (Science and Health, p. 387). Here, as every

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

LECTURE IN THE MOTHER CHURCH