Editorial April 8, 1916 Issue

Earth's Atmosphere

Annie M. Knott

As the seasons follow each other with extremes of cold and heat, according to material evidence, a great many people still attribute these conditions to the inscrutable decrees of Providence, while others seek to account for them, though not very satisfactorily it must be confessed, from the standpoint of belief in material law. To foretell weather conditions from this basis is not to touch even remotely the subject of causation, though it is of the utmost importance to do so whatever be the problem involved. This calls upon us to leave the plane of materiality and to look for the harmonious and unvarying operation of divine Principle in human consciousness, where marvelous changes are wrought as the truth of being is recognized and made practical.

Physicists may tell us of impending or bygone atmospheric disturbances, but never attempt to trace their relation to mental conditions, though the Bible states plainly that drought and other undesirable manifestations accompany or follow disobedience to divine law; whereas obedience thereto, which includes right dealing between men and nations, would result in harmony. The prophet Joel tells us that coincident with spiritual awakening will come "the former rain" and "the latter rain," with overflowing harvests and the disappearance of all destructive insects. It is also deeply interesting to note what he says respecting the influence of mental conditions upon physical nature,—"The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men."

It is even more instructive to study what Mrs. Eddy has to say along this line, for she invariably lifts thought from the physical to the metaphysical, to the realm of causation, from effect to cause. On page 590 of Science and Health she tells us of the kingdom of heaven, "the realm of unerring, eternal, and omnipotent Mind; the atmosphere of Spirit, where Soul is supreme." In this realm sin, disease, and death are unknown, and if we would live in it perpetually we must heed the Master's words, "Lift up your eyes." Christian Science declares that this realm is universal, and it is perceived only as spiritual vision pierces the clouds of mortal sense. On page 220 of Science and Health we read: "The atmosphere of the earth, kinder than the atmosphere of mortal mind, leaves catarrh to the latter."

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