Editorial August 19, 1916 Issue

Control of the Sea

William D. McCrackan

IN the great readjustment of world affairs now going forward, the control of the sea must eventually ensure the control of the earth. This has been apparent for some time to enlightened observers. Now in proportion as the sea and the earth are believed to be material, the problem of controlling them seems to devolve upon physical force. Christian Science, however, has long since relegated matter to the realm of belief, and what is called physical science is reluctantly following this lead. As a matter of fact, therefore, both sea and earth can be recognized as belonging to the realm of metaphysics,—to beyond-physics,—and, as mental concepts, to be amenable to right mental control through spiritual understanding. The psalmist sang, "The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea." The Galilean Prophet, realizing the sea of Galilee to be a mental concept, illustrated his control over it by walking upon it and stilling its storm.

Referring to the Apocalyptic angel who "had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth," Mrs. Eddy on page 559 of Science and Health describes the sea as "elementary, latent error, the source of all error's visible forms;" whereas the earth is described as "visible error and audible sin." Thus the sea is likened to the source of all evil and the earth to the manifestation of evil. Metaphysically considered, therefore, to control the sea is to control evil at the source, and consequently also in its effects. The teaching in the "little book" which Christian Scientists identify symbolically with the revelation of Truth, enables humanity to learn the lesson of standing upon the sea, i.e., of putting latent, and, as a result also, manifest error under its feet. Those who have overcome evil and seen through its false pretenses, find it to be a "sea of glass," quite transparent to spiritual perception. The sea, as the source of evil, can no longer deceive them. It has no terrors and no mysteries for those enlightened by the revelation of Truth.

Now evil cannot be permanently controlled by diving into its depths, navigating its dark recesses, or prying into its secrets out of mere curiosity. This aggressive method always finds itself baffled and its purpose frustrated. The rays of Truth reflected from above give ample light for the exposure and destruction of all error, whether latent or visible. It is a common habit among seafaring folk to wish that which is disagreeable to the bottom of the sea, and a famous litterateur, who was also a liberal-minded physician, once rendered the opinion, "I firmly believe that if the whole materia medica could be sunk to the bottom of the sea, it would be all the better for mankind and all the worse for the fishes." There can be no harm in putting evil effects back to their source, and coincidently protecting "the fishes" that swim in the sea.

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