Editorial May 27, 1916 Issue

"Judge not"

Archibald McLellan

While it is unquestionably true that those who are seeking "first the kingdom of God" are assured and do attain the peace "which passeth all understanding," this plane of achievement does not by any means carry with it exemption from trials of their faith and even persecutions because of their faith. Jesus made no secret to his followers that tribulation was likely to be their earthly portion, but he also gave them this comforting assurance "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Mrs. Eddy's teaching is along this same line. On page 97 of Science and Health she says, "Earth has no repayment for the persecutions which attend a new step in Christianity; but the spiritual recompense of the persecuted is assured in the elevation of existence above mortal discord and in the gift of divine Love."

There is need, therefore, for careful discrimination and loving thought in our judgment of our fellow men. The superficial assumption that a Christian Scientist who to sense has been given many and serious problems to meet is therefore lacking in a clear understanding of Truth, borders perilously near an infraction of the divine command, "Judge not." Even though there be a seeming failure to measure up to the highest standard, who can forget that dramatic scene when the accusers of the woman brought before Jesus slipped away one by one under the search-light of Truth: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone." Instead of criticizing and perchance condemning the one who is passing through deep waters, how much more Christlike, how much more helpful to our brother and to ourselves it would be, to realize the truth that because God's children are reflections of the one Mind they must have a perfect understanding, and that this brother or sister is being "persecuted for righteousness' sake,"—not because of too little understanding, but because envious error always seeks to obstruct an open channel for Truth.

Mrs. Eddy puts a pertinent question when she asks, "Have you shared the blood of the New Covenant, the persecutions which attend a new and higher understanding of God?" (Science and Health, p. 33.) Error found it worth while to be more active than ever before when it discovered the works which Jesus, the greatest exponent of Truth the world has ever known, was doing. When that persecution culminated in the crucifixion, even those closest to him wondered if he could have been correct in his understanding of God's omnipotence and omnipresence, else why had this shameful thing come upon him. Our beloved Leader trod the same thorny pathway to the kingdom. She whose clear understanding of God and His law made her a chosen vessel for the revelation of Truth anew to mankind, knew to the full what it meant to be persecuted for righteousness' sake. She sacrificed all that earthly ambition might crave in order to give to the world her discovery of the Principle of the Christ-healing in its wondrous perfection, and in so doing passed through deep waters such as few have been called to share. Nevertheless, it was through these very trials she attained to heights the limited vision of her judges could not reach. It was hers to "rejoice, and be exceeding glad," for it had been her privilege to share in the cup of sorrow and suffering which all must drink if they would be accounted worthy of the kingdom.

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