Editorial November 18, 1911 Issue

THE JOY OF OVERCOMING

Annie M. Knott

In the fifty-first Psalm we read, "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation," a prayer which finds a wonderful response in the Master's words, "I say unto you . . . joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." These words close the parable of the sheep which was lost and afterward brought back with rejoicing to the fold.

Here we may ponder with profit the definition of "sheep," as given in the Glossary of Science and Health (p. 594). It reads: "Innocence; inoffensiveness; those who follow their leader." The "sinner that repenteth" is no longer a sinner, but a representative of the spiritual qualities here presented, which must ever find a welcome in heaven because it is really their birthplace. On the other hand, the errors which originate in material belief cannot come into the presence of God, but, as our revered Leader says, "must dwell in dreamland, until mortals arrive at the understanding that material life, with all its sin, sickness, and death, is an illusion;" and when this understanding is reached in Christian Science, "joy is no longer a trembler, nor is hope a cheat" (Science and Health, pp. 543, 298). It goes without saying that the attainment of innocence, or purity, involves the overcoming of the mortal beliefs which cause men to stray from the path of obedience to divine law, and to lose sight of the Christ-idea which ever leads toward health, happiness, holiness.

In the psalm already quoted, we find full acknowledgment of sin and a fervent prayer to be delivered from "bloodguiltiness," and this is followed by the statement, "Thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it." No, for we read, "Thou desirest truth in the inward parts." When the truth of being is recognized and obeyed it brings joy everywhere, for the spiritual process which is involved leaves no dark stain on the human consciousness. It means that the man of God's creating is to take the place of the poor trembling culprit of mortal sense who shrinks from the demand of Truth, "Where art thou?" God's man, on the other hand, needs never to shirk any demand of Truth, for he knows that each and every requirement of divine law means salvation to all mankind, points to the overcoming of all that is unlike God, and that dominion which is the crown of all true endeavor.

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