Editorial November 9, 1918 Issue

Cleansing Processes

Annie M. Knott

In all religious teaching the need for purification has been given much prominence, even if the appeal did not extend beyond the ceremonial forms which symbolized the spiritual demand for the cleansing of the very springs of our conscious life. The necessity for physical cleanliness has been greatly insisted upon in late years, and it is deeply interesting to read of the changes which are coming so rapidly in Palestine since it has been occupied by the Allied forces, especially the free supply of water in Jerusalem and other cities. This may well recall the entry of David and his followers into that city somewhere about 1049 b. c., of which we read in the twenty-fourth psalm. After the declaration, "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof," the question is asked, "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?" The answer follows, "He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart." Well might such a one make the demand which follows for the opening of the gates so that "the King of glory" might come in.

More and more it is being felt and admitted that those who to-day enlist in defense of right the world over must themselves have clean hands and pure hearts, and from the Christian Science viewpoint this text takes on a very broad meaning. The one whose thought is stained with avarice and self-seeking is unworthy to serve in the hosts which uphold the cause of Truth against error, and as it was required of all the worshipers who went up to the temple at Jerusalem that they be cleansed ceremonially for the services there, a much greater demand rests upon all to-day who would rid the earth of the deceits and tyrannies of evil that they cleanse themselves from all that is tainted by mammon worship and its service.

In the first chapter of Mark's gospel we read of the cleansing of a leper, and the instruction given by Jesus to this man after he was healed is deeply significant in the light of Christian Science. The Master said to him, "Go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them." Now the work of the master Christian was far above that outlined in the ceremonial law because it was the perfect demonstration of spiritual law, and yet we find his wonderful wisdom displayed in requiring of the man obedience to the law of Moses, although the man's healing had been complete without this. It was in line with his requirement that we render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's. At this hour it rests with all those who love the appearing of God's kingdom on earth to cleanse their hearts and hands before addressing themselves to any task, either for their own uplifting or for the advancement of the human race. No one dare deny that God's law requires of us the overcoming of all sensuality, even in what would be considered its more refined forms, if we would secure the world against further outbreaks of evil such as that which characterizes the present hour.

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