Editorial April 15, 1916 Issue

Endurance

Annie M. Knott

The word endurance does not convey the same meaning to all classes of people. To a great many it means a sort of stubborn resistance to misfortune or suffering, and those who entertain such a view generally believe that one's power to endure is limited by his physical strength. Among other definitions of the verb to endure is this: "To continue in the same state without perishing." Of course this could not be applied to anything material, and from it we turn to that which is unchanged by the vicissitudes of mortal experience, whatever their nature. In the 102d psalm we read that the heavens and the earth shall perish; but this is written from a mortal and material viewpoint, for another passage of Scripture declares that "whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever." From this we come back to the psalmist's assurance that although material things "wax old like a garment," yet God shall "endure," shall remain unchanged.

In looking over the ever-changing panorama of human experience we see persons and things giving place to other persons and things, and this has furnished a fruitful theme for poet and moralist, who at best have only urged resignation to that which has seemed inevitable. Mrs. Eddy, however, bids us look away from the mortal sense of things, and in no uncertain tone she says (Science and Health, p. 259): "Immortal ideas, pure, perfect, and enduring, are transmitted by the divine Mind through divine Science, which corrects error with truth and demands spiritual thoughts, divine concepts, to the end that they may produce harmonious results." Now this may be applied alike to individual experience and to world problems which concern the whole race. Christ Jesus clearly foretold the conflict between truth and error in individual thought and in families, also the strife between nations, iniquity abounding everywhere and the love of many waxing cold.

This dark picture might well appal us were it not for the strong word of assurance which is linked close to it, the antidote of Truth and Love at hand to forestall the possible influence of fear, and here it is: "He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." To some "the end" means death, with a promise of better things beyond the grave, but to the Christian Scientist it means the end of the opposing error, that which denies the omnipotence of divine Love, whatever be the issue involved. To God and His idea there can be no end. To the one struggling, it may be long and wearily, with a sense of physical suffering, this promise of the Master offers untold strength. God is not harmed by the supposititious conflict between flesh and Spirit.

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