Article March 15, 1913 Issue

SEPARATION

ANNE MAY LILLY.

Christian Science declares that every spiritual fact has its material counterfeit, and nowhere is this more clearly shown than in the thought of separation. Since we as Christian Scientists have already accepted, and proven in some degree, the proposition that all is mental or spiritual, creation being the reflection of God, Spirit, it becomes evident that separation must be a purely mental process, an untangling of the so-called thoughts of mortal mind from the spiritual ideas which are born of God. True, absolutely speaking, the two phases of thought do not and cannot mingle, or rather, spiritual ideas are all that really exist; but to our present imperfect sense of things our consciousness seems a battle-ground between good and evil tendencies, and our daily work is to affirm and hold to all the strong, pure ideas which come from divine Mind, and to cast out by intelligent denial the falsehoods of mortal mind. This means constant watchfulness, unceasing mental work; and it is probable that few of us realize, until we take up this warfare, how purposeless is the common process which is usually dignified by the name, thinking. Mortal mind grasps like a child at the various objects which come before it, pleased, amused, or terrified, as the case may be, but it rarely follows a single train of thought to a logical conclusion.

The true sense of separation consists in watching one's thoughts and casting out all that are weak, purposeless, or vicious. "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing." When we fully realize that this purified thought is the one and only channel by which divine Love and power may be brought to human consciousness, this realization arouses in us a new sense of individual responsibility, while it humbles all personal pride and self-assertion and brings us to our knees in gratitude for the privilege of such high service.

Since the true sense of separation brings about such beneficent results, its counterfeit, the material sense of separation, would seem to have an equal power for ill; and perhaps there is today no channel through which error more readily find admission to the consciousness of Christian Scientists than by appealing to the egotistical traits of mortal mind, which would destroy that selfless unity which is the strength of the Christian Science movement. To the branch church it advances the specious argument that it has no real responsibility toward The Mother Church; that it has separate interests which must be looked after first, trying to render the branch church forgetful that The Mother Church is the parent vine of the Christian Science organization. Take the Publishing Society alone,—what agency so powerful for good? The pure flood of its literature pours forth to the farthest corners of the earth, healing and refreshing the "millions of unprejudiced minds ... athirst in the desert," in obedience to our Leader's injunction to "give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences" (Science and Health, p. 570). So too the board of lectureship,—who can estimate the results of their faithful labors? As we review in thought the varied activities of The Mother Church, we realize, as our Leader has told us, that it does indeed occupy a unique place, and that it should be our privilege and joy to uphold its activities to the uttermost.

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SEPARATION

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