Article February 14, 1914 Issue

"If ye faint not"

ISABEL HILLIER

The parable of the friend at midnight is probably one of the most imperative lessons in persistence that our Master ever gave us. It is particularly illuminating to any of us who may be trying to help others to destroy the various habits of mortal thought which have brought such dire results. It is made plain in this parable that the one who has come for the bread for his friend, knows the bread is there, and in spite of all objections presented, he continues to maintain his position until these apparent difficulties are overcome.

How often in our work does the suggestion of error come to us that it is of no use to try. Like the unwilling neighbor it pleads, "Trouble me not." It persistently argues that it is too late, that the habit has become too deeply embedded in consciousness, that "the door is now shut," and that there is not only one habit but many lesser ones as the result of the first; that, in fact, it is quite impossible to make the demonstration—"I cannot rise and give thee," it pleads. Suppose fear is the voice from within: what a vast number of unpleasant "children" immediately spring into evidence! One sees lying, deceit, want, sickness, jealousy, envy,—all these and many other discords as the result of fear.

Nevertheless, in spite of all this painful sense-evidence, how gloriously safe and sure is Truth's remedy; and after all how simple! Having grasped enough of the truth to be able to declare that "there is no power apart from God" (Science and Health, p. 228), all that remains for us is to maintain this position in spite of material evidence. It is this persistent clinging to what is true that absolutely wipes out all thought of any possible opposing power; and if we faint not, the patient is healed.

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