"The spiritual ultimate"

Archibald McLellan

Mrs. Eddy has pointed out that the passage from sense to Soul is a progressive experience. On this journey it is not always possible for the human pilgrim to choose between good and evil at every turn, rather at times the problem presented to him is to choose between a greater and a lesser evil. Of course he has chosen good as his ultimate goal, and while his every effort must be in this direction, yet frequently the ways which are open to him are not such as immediately to lead him to his journey's end. On page 28 of "Retrospection and Introspection" our Leader has written: "I had learned that thought must be spiritualized, in order to apprehend Spirit. It must become honest, unselfish, and pure, in order to have the least understanding of God in divine Science." On page 485 of Science and Health this thought is again expressed in these words: "Emerge gently from matter into Spirit. Think not to thwart the spiritual ultimate of all things, but come naturally into Spirit through better health and morals and as the result of spiritual growth."

Not only does this counsel apply to individual demonstration, but it also applies to the growth of peoples and nations. Take, for instance, the growth of those nations which have achieved democracy and freedom in any appreciable degree. In all these nations it has been necessary for some one first to be inspired with the ideal of liberty, and then to educate others into a perception of this ideal. Later, as this education has progressed, it has been possible to take a step in advance; as, for instance, the abolition of African slavery in the United States a half century ago. This was of course but a step toward the ideal visioned by our forefathers in the exalted declaration that "all men are created equal," because other phases of the same question still remain to be adjusted; for instance, the relations of capital and labor, or more definitely, the relations of employer and employee. This is a world wide question, and a definite step toward its solution will be taken only when thought has been sufficiently spiritualized to perceive a better and more righteous way than at present prevails.

Another world question of immediate importance which is in course of settlement is that known as the liquor question, or prohibition; and it is because there has been a continuous spiritualization of thought on this question that progress has been made toward the abolition of the traffic. What Christian Science has contributed to the cause of temperance has done much toward the right settlement of this question, because through its ministry thousands of men have been permanently healed of the disease of intemperance and its early symptoms of moderate and social drinking. This is verified by the testimonies given at the Wednesday evening meetings and through the Sentinel and Journal.

In all permanent reforms there must first be a cessation of the desire to do wrong, and this must be for right's sake. In Christian Science the first step is the understanding of the allness of God and the nothingness of evil, the reality of righteousness and the unreality of unrighteousness, an entire willingness to be and do good and to eschew evil. The mission of Christian Science is to lead mankind to such an understanding and realization of the omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence of God, good, as will forever banish evil from human experience. In the mean time it is the duty of all who have seen the light to let their influence be felt through precept and example, supporting every step that is a step in advance even if it does not immediately reach the ultimate good which must ever be our goal.

The moment for the abolition of the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquor is making definite progress at this time, and it will not be long, we hope, until its object has been attained. In the mean time it would be foolish to reject any measure looking to reform simply because it does not abolish the liquor traffic as a whole and on the instant. It is well to be thankful for what has already been accomplished, and to keep well in view the fact that depraved appetites are "destroyed only by Mind's mastery of the body" (Science and Health, p. 406), and by example make this truth known to those who are yet in darkness on the subject. Ultimately Truth must and will be triumphant, and knowing this we may well be patient and compassionate.

Archibald McLellan.

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