Article January 29, 1916 Issue

Right Proportion

WILLIAM R. RATHVON

A necessary part of the constructive work of the demonstrating Scientist is the uncovering of error, for an adversary unseen is often an adversary unsuspected and therefore unopposed. That Mrs. Eddy regarded this uncovering of evil as essential to its overcoming, is shown unmistakably in her writings. Indeed she specifically designates it as accomplishing the greater part of error's destruction, as may be seen on page 355 of "Miscellaneous Writings," where we read, "Error found out is two thirds destroyed."

As in carnal warfare, so in spiritual, an enemy must be located before he can be dislodged. It is obvious, therefore, that in Christian Science the uncovering of error must precede its destruction. To fire our mental artillery in the direction we think an enemy must be, without first finding him out, may keep us busy, but it does not interfere with his activities. To prevail, we must employ the truth, first in error's uncovering and afterward in its undoing. To this end we have but to understand enough about error to know that it has no enduring presence or power, activity or actuality. This does not imply, however, that as Scientists we are to spend time and thought and energy in exhaustive study of error's methods or nature. We do not have to master physiology in order to heal the ailments of the body through Christian Science; we do not need to become proficient in knowledge of material medicines to administer the healing remedies of Spirit; we do not need to become intimate with sin in order to aid sinners to reform; we do not need to embrace vice in order to establish virtue. These are not the methods of our warfare. The ways and means of scientific uncovering are not based upon the conjectural knowledge of evil, but upon its opposite, the applied knowledge of good. The more of Truth and Love we know and apply in our daily thinking and doing, the more readily may we prove error's inability to hide itself or its handiwork. The false is best detected by those who know the most of the true.

The writer was at one time an expert detector of counterfeit money. His early business training at the teller's window of a bank made him so familiar with genuine money that the counterfeit was instantly detected without conscious effort on his part. He knew so much about good money that the bad declared itself. He had but to do the one thing that is indispensable in uncovering every form of error,—watch. Jesus saw the need of watchfulness on the part of his followers, and Mrs. Eddy was quick to discern our need of it today. Let us be grateful that she has provided a simple device for reminding us of it whenever we glance at the blue cover of our Sentinel, for there speak back to us those stirring words of Jesus, the faithful sentinel for all humanity: "What I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch."

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