Editorial February 15, 1913 Issue

"BE STRONG IN THE LORD."

Annie M. Knott

There can be no question that mental and moral strength is indispensable to human progress, but not all are willing to rouse themselves to make the effort needed for its attainment. Long ago Isaiah, as divinely bidden, called to those of fearful heart, with weak hands and feeble knees, saying, "Be strong, fear not," and he forthwith proceeded to show the needlessness of fear inasmuch as no "ravenous beast," or any evil thing was to be found on the highway of holiness over which the redeemed should pass. Again and again do we find on the sacred pages the command to be strong, the psalmist assuring us that God will "give strength unto his people." Luke tells us of John the forerunner, that from his childhood he "waxed strong in spirit," and says of Jesus, "The child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him."

Need we wonder, then, that with advancing years Jesus was able to face fearlessly every opposing condition of the carnal mind, even to look calmly upon the evidences of death, and right there to prove the presence and all-sufficiency of Life as God. In Science and Health we read, "We have strength in proportion to our apprehension of the truth" (p. 80), and it were well if we often tested ourselves by this scientific statement. Personal sense would have us believe that our strength, mental and physical, is dependent upon matter, and that we need to take into account the opposing influences of materiality. Christ Jesus, however, disposed of this question when he said that one could not "enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man." Concerning this, Mrs. Eddy says, "Mortal mind is 'the strong man,' which must be held in subjection before its influence upon health and morals can be removed" (Science and Health, p. 400). If good is a stronger influence in determining all our thoughts, words, and deeds, than is evil, we need never fear an encounter with any of its false claims, no matter what its pretensions may be. By the same logic, if the supremacy of Spirit and spiritual law is constantly maintained in the depths of our own consciousness, we shall find ourselves equipped for any trial of our strength and we shall prove that because God "is strong in power" not one of His children faileth. Are we not told that "the weakness of God is stronger than men," and that the child of God reflects the infinite strength?

Paul as a political prisoner spent several years among Roman soldiers, and from them learned many lessons of courage and endurance. In writing from Rome to the Ephesian converts, he bade them "be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." It is very clear that, without strength to use it, even the finest armor would be of no avail. The Christian Scientist has ceased to think of personal enemies, but he knows that until he himself and humanity at large shall have emerged from the dream of life in matter, he must constantly be on guard against the mortal manifestations of sin, disease, and death. Not only so, but he must be prepared to fight valiantly against the myriad forms of error which constitute the belief of mortal existence. Paul learned that watchfulness was needed, also perseverance and faith, truth and love. A weak faith or a weak sense of Truth's power will not suffice to heal the sick or to disarm wrong. No, we must "be strong" in our faith, our truth, and our love for God and man, listening ever for the voice which calls today even as of old, "Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion."

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