Editorial August 20, 1910 Issue

SELF-CORRECTION

Annie M. Knott

The imperative command of the great Teacher, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect," was given by one who had tested the possibilities of humanity, and who in consequence "knew what was in man," as we read in John's Gospel. In Hebrews we read that Jesus "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." This proves that at every point the spiritual predominated in his consciousness, and that it triumphed always, for had material sense been given the ascendency in any respect it could not have been written that he was "without sin." Paul said, "The good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do." This showed that the spiritual had not been given its rightful ascendency, but he goes on to explain that the belief in a fleshly mind must be given up in order to have "the Spirit of Christ," and thus delight in doing the will of God.

Christian Science reveals the fact that the process of self-correction is the working out of that salvation which, to quote Paul again, God worketh in us, and which heals humanity of both sin and sickness. Mortals, unfortunately, cling blindly to the very evils which most hinder their progress, and this largely through force of habit: thus they miss, for a time at least, the great joy of working with God for their own redemption. John heard a great voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, I make all things new;" and, if God is at work making new creatures of us, we should surely be glad to do our part, especially as the benefit is all ours.

A homely illustration may serve to show how the process of self-correction begins in many cases. A little girl once remarked that she always wore out her shoes on the side. An older person who was present said rather brusquely that this was due to a slatternly habit in walking, which could easily be corrected, at the same time calling attention to a young lady whose light footfalls made one think of the "poetry of motion." It seemed a sharp rebuke, but the sting was soon forgotten in the resolve to overcome a bad habit which had not till then been recognized as such. This self-correction took some time and much watchfulness (as in the more serious problems of life), but the results were well worth while, for not only were the shoes preserved, but walking became a greater pleasure as the years went by, and this one simple lesson of self-discipline has often been a reminder of how much we may attain if only we are willing to work aright when the possibility of reaching perfection in all things is so clearly shown us in Christian Science.

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