Editorial March 4, 1911 Issue

GROWTH

Annie M. Knott

Growth has very fittingly been described as one of the elements of power, and in Science and Health (p. 520) we read that it is "the eternal mandate of Mind." All through the Scriptures we find the processes of growth set forth in the beautiful symbolism which seizes upon nature's wonderful pictures that forever invite dull pupils to come and behold the ceaseless operation of divine law. In the first chapter of Genesis there is first the appearing of light, then growth, forever growth, and this inseparable from the infinite good. The psalmist tells us that the one who delights in God's law is like a tree growing by the side of a river,—its leaves never withering, and bringing forth fruit in its season,—and of him it is said, "Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Again we read in Hosea of the healing of Israel, which is followed by unfoldment: "He shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.... They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine."

It is very clear that growth is uninterrupted where the necessary conditions are complied with. The soil must be prepared, the sowing of good seed be intelligently done, and the watering receive due attention, then God gives the increase. The growth which most vitally concerns us all is the unfolding of the divine idea in the consciousness of each individual. It begins for us with an awakening to the truth, and from this we go on and "grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ," the same law at work as in the experience of the Master. The climax is reached when we "all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."

The student of Christian Science is wise who considers well the soil into which the seed of Truth is to be dropped, both in his own case and that of others. It must be that of an "honest and good heart," else there will be no harvest worth while. In too many cases the sick look to the practitioner for that which God alone can give, namely, "the increase." They, however, sometimes object to the work which Paul or Apollos thinks necessary, in connection with the planting and the watering, especially to the removal of obstructions from the soil; but if this is not done at one time it must be at another, for Truth cannot coexist with error, therefore all error must be uprooted, whether it be soon or late to mortal sense.

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