Editorial July 16, 1910 Issue

DISCIPLINE VS. SUFFERING

Annie M. Knott

In the first epistle of Peter we find this statement: "He that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin," a passage which is difficult to understand unless it be carefully studied in its relation to the general teaching of this epistle. Experience has shown that people do not always cease from sin because of physical suffering, indeed some are, for a time at least, made hard and bitter thereby; but when it becomes to them a form of discipline by which they are driven to seek peace and rest in spirituality, the body ceases to be the master and thought begins to assert its native freedom.

A great burden is lifted from the consciousness of the individual when he ceases to believe that he is bound by material health laws and that his ailments result from disregard of these asserted laws. In fact mortals often find that the most rigid obedience to these supposed laws but tends to increase their suffering and add to their bondage; but one by one the fetters of false belief are loosed in Christian Science, and the erstwhile sufferer finds "freedom to worship God." Then comes the next step mentioned by the apostle, in the experience of the one who had "suffered in the flesh," namely, "that he no longer should live the rest of his time to the lusts of men, but to the will of God;" or, as he adds, "live according to God in the spirit."

Any bodily or mental discord which may come to the student of Christian Science is a sharp reminder that there is yet much to be overcome. It may be a lingering fear of the old taskmaster, mortal mind, or it may be the disturbance produced by some "evil thoughts" which have not been effectually rooted out. Again, we may have to face the fierce mental onslaughts of those who hate and deny the truth, but in all cases we may find in the process of overcoming error the discipline which gives us renewed energy and dexterity in resisting the attacks of evil and proving its powerlessness.

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