Article January 9, 1909 Issue

ADMITTING GOD

BLANCHE HERSEY HOGUE.

It is well known to the student of Christian Science that individual thought expands to the fuller and higher meanings of the terms employed in expressing the truth, as the study of the Bible and the Christian Science textbook is earnestly pursued. Through spiritual growth, and through the investigation of the root-meanings of words, a greater mental grasp of the truth becomes a daily privilege, and the limitations which hedge the first perusal of the Christian Science text-book naturally disappear as clearer understanding displaces former view-points. In the sentence, "If God is admitted to be the only Mind and Life, there ceases to be any opportunity for sin and death" (Science and Health, p. 276), this is especially true concerning the word "admitted," and while no attempt is made to explain the text of Mrs. Eddy's writings, perhaps an analysis of this word is permissible in order to stimulate comprehension of its full import.

The Standard Dictionary declares the word "admit" to mean, "To allow, suffer, or permit to come or go into; to have capacity for the entrance or presence of; let in." Webster defines "admission" as, "Permission to enter; the power or right of entrance, and hence, actual entrance." And as to its narrower meaning, Webster says, "To allow; as, the argument or fact is admitted."

This word admit is so frequently used to indicate nothing more than a mental concession, an "allowance" of the truth of a given point, that its accustomed association very naturally remains with the reader in his first acceptance of our Leader's statement. An intellectual perception, or a sense of logic, may compel the student to accede to the proposition that "God is the only Mind and Life," and lead him to accept the conclusion that in consequence "there ceases to be any opportunity for sin and death." His reason "allows" this basic statement to be true, and to this extent a purely intellectual concession to the allness of God may be obtained. This, however, is by no means the whole of the "admitting," for thought must become spiritualized through laying aside, somewhat, the carnal beliefs and practices of the mortal, before the way opens for God actually to "enter" human experience as "the only Mind and Life."

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
INDIVIDUALITY
January 9, 1909
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit