Editorial June 5, 1915 Issue

Holding On and Letting Go

Annie M. Knott

Students of Christian Science soon learn that mortal belief is the opposite of the spiritual fact. While this is admitted, it is not at once seen that we must let go our material concepts if we would grasp and hold spiritual realities. Christ Jesus said plainly that we cannot serve two masters, for we would "hold to the one, and despise the other," a decision which Christian Scientists accept as vital truth. The trouble with most mortals is that they cherish tenacity, whatever its object, cling to that which should be given up for something better, even as the chrysalis creature might cling to its temporary shroud, preferring to dream on in darkness rather than to make the effort demanded by the encompassing life. Sooner or later, however, a call will come which neither butterfly nor mortal man can disregard. To the human sense of his day Paul said, "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."

Christian Scientists are sometimes asked why they do not heal the sick instantaneously, as it would seem that Jesus did on most occasions, if we are to judge from the statements found in the gospels. These accounts are gratefully accepted by Christian Scientists, who know that "with God all things are possible," and that even the raising of the dead but proves the operation of a spiritual law of which mortals have too long been ignorant. They however learn that results in the healing work which they endeavor to do, are dependent upon the clearness with which they perceive the truth and the tenacity with which they hold to it. On page 396 of Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy warns us against piling up hypothetical difficulties in advance of our own efforts, and then she says that the refutation of admittedly false testimony "becomes arduous, not because the testimony of sin or disease is true, but solely on account of the tenacity of belief in its truth, due to the force of education and the overwhelming weight of opinions on the wrong side." The one who is healed has much to give up, in the way of racial and special beliefs, and if he could sooner see the reason for this he would address himself to his task with alacrity and cheerfulness.

No one hesitates about giving up a sense of suffering, but when it comes to letting go of all the beliefs which produce discord, mortal sense is very apt to hold on to them, chiefly from the force of habit. A deeply impressive testimony was given in The Mother Church one night by a man from the West, who told of his healing in Christian Science. He spoke of the great change it had made in his whole life, but he said that one grievance remained untouched for some time after he had accepted this teaching. A feud dating back twenty years was unhealed, but as the student advanced in understanding his desire deepened to meet the erstwhile enemy as a brother. He however lacked the courage to take the initiative, and as he was planning to visit The Mother Church it troubled him to think of carrying this shadow along with him. A few days before he started he saw the other man coming toward him on the street, and a great wave of true desire swept over him. While still uncertain as to the step to be taken, the other came up to him with outstretched hand, and asked if he was not ready to bury that old grievance. Needless to say, he was fully ready, and in telling of it in his testimony, he spoke of this healing with reverence and awe, as something which God had done, and which was far above the aims of mortal man.

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