Editorial October 24, 1914 Issue

Eternal Goodness

Annie M. Knott

When days seem dark for men and nations we shall do well to lift thought above the mortal outlook to the infinite and eternal goodness. A wonderful lesson may be learned from Moses' experience, when he was wrestling with "a stiff-necked people" and surrounded by hostile tribes. Without divine aid he could not have endured, but he did what we all may do in time of stress, he called mightily upon God, and divine Love answered, "I will make all my goodness pass before thee."

Again and again do we find the goodness of God presented in Holy Writ, the psalmist saying, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." Paul discriminatingly prays that the Thessalonians may "fulfil all the good pleasure of his [God's] goodness, and the work of faith with power." This is in line with the words of our text-book (p. 213), "Every step toward goodness is a departure from materiality, and is a tendency toward God, Spirit." Mrs. Eddy adds that "material theories partially paralyze this attraction toward infinite and eternal good by an opposite attraction toward the finite, temporary, and discordant." Chief among these theories is the belief that evil has more power than goodness, and the wide prevalence of this belief on the part of professed Christian is simply astonishing. The psalmist declares, "Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite," and Christian Scientists hold to this as the very foundation of their hope, the basis of their demonstration, whatever difficulty may present itself, for they know that linked to this power and understanding is changeless and eternal goodness.

The question for each individual, then, irrespective of doctrinal differences, is, How much of this goodness do I see when clouds lower, and how much of it do I reflect when trials and persecutions assail? Our attitude in the first instance will assuredly determine our bearing in the second, and will be a mighty factor in the working out of the each life-problem. The one who never loses sight of the divine goodness will see it manifested in myriad ways, and will learn to look for its reflection in man, woman, and child. To do this persistently and consistently calls for a steady denial of sense-testimony, since evil is so apparent to material sense. The psalmist admits that he was beguiled into believing and saying that "all men are liars," but this was because he did not wait patiently for the spiritual evidence which annuls all false testimony with the fact divine Truth "endureth to all generations," and is our "shield and buckler." The promise also is, "My people shall be satisfied with my goodness."

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