Article October 5, 1918 Issue

Truth Telling Destroys Evil

CHARLES DANIEL REYNOLDS

When Christian Science uncovers evil it is not to fasten the evil upon the evildoer, but to separate him from it. when this end is accomplished, the method is proved right and the motive good. There are evils so subtly disguised and intrenched that nothing but a complete exposure before the full gaze of mankind can arouse a sleepy world from its slumber sufficiently to insure their correction. To forestall error and forewarn humanity of evil is a compassionate work. It is as if one saw his neighbor's house on fire, and gave the alarm that saved it. Worse things have happened to men than public exposure of the evils and weaknesses to which they have, sometimes ignorantly, sometimes knowingly, fallen victim.

The Christian Science Monitor and the other Christian Science periodicals are awake to the value of publicity as the means of correcting all kinds of sin, and they speak the truth clearly and fearlessly. No matter what the sin may be, whether it be intemperance, misappropriation of funds, incompetence, dishonesty or disloyalty in public office, or exploitation of business or religion for private ends, these periodicals hold strictly to the teachings of Scripture, and tell the truth plainly. In this respect they are like all great moral reformers whose work left the world better. They were not afraid of evil, and did not stop to speculate lest stirring it up might produce personal feeling and hard words. They knew the demands of right and also knew that their work would be protected. Blindness to evil is a sin, and the Christian Science periodicals do not congratulate themselves upon blindness to evil of any kind, try to hide it or cover it up, or make peace with it.

Such was not the high task assigned to them. Their editorial policy is no more one of neutrality or indifference toward evil than was that of Christ Jesus, as his life and teachings reveal it. Speaking of his attitude toward sin, the Founder of Christianity said, "I came not to send peace, but a sword;" or as quoted by Luke: "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division." All who are familiar with the teachings of the Master know he did not instruct his followers to be afraid of evil, or afraid to expose it when necessary, or to run from it, as Moses was once tempted to do when he saw his rod become a serpent. The keynote of Jesus' teaching and practice was, "If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out." There is no condonation of evil; instead there must be a purification, the destruction of evil by the power of divine Love.

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