Article March 11, 1916 Issue

Spiritual Creation

ROBERT NALL

In replying to the question, "Is it possible to know why we are put into this condition of mortality?" Mrs. Eddy struck at a deep-rooted error when she said, "We must not consider the false side of existence in order to gain the true solution of Life and its great realities" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 64). Belief in a "false side of existence" necessarily involves belief in a false creator and creation. This in turn embodies a number of subsidiary opinions or judgments which, engrafted as they are in much human thought and given free play, make men unconscious obscurants, blind to the spiritual light and love that are so bountifully offered to all God's children. It is the great tragedy of mortal experience that while light has come into the world, men still "abide in darkness," sinning and sorrowing, attributing their discordant condition and circumstances to causes of which they allege they have no control, and crying for a deliverer.

The mental attitude of the loyal and earnest Christian Scientist is in striking contrast to this. He has found his freedom, has glimpsed in a measure the true side of existence and creation, and is now privileged to be daily and hourly grateful for his crown of blessings. But the contrast does not, or should not, stop there. He who has not come into the practical knowledge of Truth's healing power is not slow to bemoan his so-called "fate" in tones that to the metaphysical student indicate an entire misconception of God, man, and the universe. The Christian Scientist, radiating health, holiness, and happiness, takes his part in demonstrating Truth in his daily walk and conversation; otherwise, as Jesus told the Pharisees who wanted him to rebuke the people for praising God, "the stones would immediately cry out,"—the transformation of the life and the character would be so manifest that nothing could hide the reflected glory or stem the insurgent tide of Love's quickening and purifying stream.

Christian Science would not be the perfect knowledge of a perfect creator if it did not uproot and destroy the very foundations of error. It must do this in order to reveal the spiritual temple,—man as the spiritual idea of God. In the answer given in "Miscellaneous Writings" already referred to, our Leader lays down emphatically that "every question between Truth and error, Science must and will decide" (p. 65). The student will make a false start unless he accepts this as a definite rule upon which he may act without hesitation. He will first of all, if he is wise, get the clearest possible understanding of what Christian Science is, what it stands for, and what it means to him, and therefore to the world. He will then learn that there is not, never has been, nor ever will be, but one creation, and that that is spiritual, immortal, eternal, complete. This is a basic truth without which one's effort to do the works that Jesus did will fail. Just as the true and the false can never possibly commingle, so there are not two creations or two kinds of spiritual healing or a multiplicity of minds.

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