Article February 24, 1917 Issue

Resting upon Principle

FREDERICK R. RHODES

To the earnest student of Christian Science a deep significance attaches to the words "rests upon," in the second clause of Mrs. Eddy's primary definition of church on page 583 of Science and Health, and their importance can hardly be overestimated. When first commencing the study of the Bible in conjunction with the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," we are brought face to face with what is perhaps the greatest difficulty we have to encounter,—that of learning the deeper meaning of words which for years we have limited to our own personal interpretation or to their generally accepted meaning. In view of the fact that with many words the original meanings have in course of time been gradually changed, the primary sense is in grave danger of being either misrepresented or altogether lost. Again, only through spiritual intuition can we discern the underlying thought contained in the Word, because there is no language with which such thoughts can be rightly clothed.

Mrs. Eddy also tells us that "God rests in action" (Science and Health, p. 519). Here is a deep metaphysical statement, which has to be given through what at first glance seems a contradiction of terms, but which on prayerful and careful consideration reveals quite a new and uplifting definition of the verb to rest. The student who believes that he can successfully study the Bible and the Christian Science text-book without reaching out for a deeper sense than is conveyed by the superficial study of the letter of these works, is doomed from the outset to disappointment. It is only through spiritual discernment that the letter becomes pregnant with meaning and rises from the undemonstrable realm of material belief to the ever available and demonstrable understanding of Christian Science. Love for God, together with the earnest desire to bring an exact knowledge of His healing presence to suffering and sinning humanity, alone can inspire us with the ability to stand up successfully before the many and varied oppositions of the adversary.

Through this process of reasoning we begin to discern faintly the absolute necessity of watching carefully that our every thought "rests upon" the Principle which alone can give it real dynamic power and enable it successfully to meet and master every adverse human experience. It will be clearly seen that we can become acquainted with the real sense of restfulness only as we gain a higher recognition of spiritual activity and are able to recognize as well as obey the divine injunction, "Be still, and know that I am God."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Rabbinical Error Rebuked