Article July 17, 1909 Issue

REFLECTION

EDWARD EVERETT NORWOOD.

One may express certain qualities of mortal thought, as envy, selfishness, or fear; or, as an improved belief, he may express much good through faith, hope, and pure affection. The mere personal sense of goodness, however, is only a belief of goodness, because consciousness is not yet awakened to know itself and protect itself, and things are not seen as thoughts. Thus, what human sense calls love is often a form of idolatry, and may be instantly replaced by hate; one who is naturally unselfish may, through a great sense of fear, express of opposite quality, and so on through the whole gamut of human characteristics. On the other hand, reflection is rethinking, according to law, and relates all inspiration to the law of thought. This reflection of good is our real identity in Mind. There is no other selfhood or sonship, and we find the Father just as we find our real selfhood. As Jesus told Philip, in so many words, he who discerns the spiritual idea discerns also the Principle behind it, and regains his individuality, which seemed lost in materialism.

To the wondering Nicodemus, Jesus explained the new birth to be that of purity and understanding, and it requires one to retrace mentally every step in his life as a mortal, to separate himself from every claim of hereditary belief, prenatal influence, constitutional tendency, etc., and reckon himself as a spiritual identity, a manifestation of divine Mind, the infinite Father and Mother. On page 185 of her "Miscellaneous Writings," Mrs. Eddy says: "Self-renunciation of all that constitutes a so-called material man, and the acknowledgment and achievement of his spiritual identity as the child of God, is Science that opens the very flood-gates of heaven; whence good flows into every avenue of being, cleansing mortals of all uncleanness, destroying all suffering, and demonstrating the true image and likeness."

Each idea of God is perfect now, and always will be. As Christ, Truth, governs each thought, word, and deed, error has no avenue through which to work; no subject, object, nor lines of mental action or suggestion. The Christ-idea, or reflection, is the only selfhood, perfect and complete, and our work is to identify or individualize it in our consciousness, and so be saved from all belief in error. Humility, patience, purity, and impersonal love are the watchwords of all true Christian Scientists. The strife is all in the human consciousness. Here error strikes at the idea of Truth; and pride of intellect, with its sensuality and love of power, endeavors to wreck the spiritual understanding. Dependence upon the mortal concept, and faith in organization, though associated with a belief of honesty and zeal, often require much love to overcome. This attitude of thought is sometimes met among young Scientists, and which an one, in the name of "individual thinking," which may be in fact a species of unconscious insubordination, may seriously handicap his progressive spiritual unfolding, for he prides himself in a freedom that is without government, consciousness not being free enough to know and protect itself.

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REFLECTION

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