Article September 18, 1915 Issue

Overcoming of Self

JAMES EDWARD VON RHEIN

The overcoming of self is a problem that faces every student of Christian Science, and until he has met this problem in a measure, he can do little toward helping others to overcome sin, sickness, and death. We hesitate before turning the search-light of Truth within, either because we are too self-righteous to admit that the evils we see in others exist in our own consciousness, or being conscious of their existence we are too cowardly to face them.

The mental condition which needs to be overcome is often left covered in the underbrush of dishonesty and pride, until the spring rains of conscience and the warm sunshine of Love cause the beautiful green blades of right desire to spring up amid the docks and cockle-burs of sensuality and self-love. Thus encouraged by a slight glimpse of heaven, we attack the debris of error and a wide pathway is cut through its hideous fields. Halting, we make a reconnaissance, and find our work showing the effect of haste ; also that shoots are springing up over what seemed to be a clean field. It is then we discover that these errors must be plucked up by the roots and the ground sown with seeds of love.

Again, like "Mahmout the Persian," we tear down the wall of self that is darkening our abode, even though with many tears and bleeding fingers, until every stone of malice, hatred, revenge, temper, self-will, self-love, self-pity, is leveled to earth and the sunshine of Truth and Love can enter consciousness and dissolve the whole mass into the dust of nothingness. Having cast the beam from our own eye, we can point the way to others, and there remains no mote in our brother's eye, for we are enabled to see the perfect man. Then can we say with Paul : "I therefore so run, not as uncertainly ; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."

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