Editorial February 23, 1918 Issue

Real Ability

William D. McCrackan

Capacity is enlarged, talent developed, and capability increased by drawing upon God as the source of supply. The scientific Christian when he is given a task knows that God will give him the power to do it, and to do it well. His receptive powers are wide open, for he understands that the one Mind is limitless and instantly available. He mellows himself through spiritual love and by talking with God. He digs deep the channels of good thoughts with the power of Truth. He looks away from matter into the spiritual universe where all ability bears good fruit. There are many qualities in the human mind which imitate the divine, but spiritual qualities alone have a perpetual unfoldment and give man the ability to further the kingdom of God on earth.

The supposed origin of life in matter, with its arguments and supposed laws, has confused mortal man and turned him from the realization of real living, from real progress and real reward. Mortal man, believing in this supposititious origin, has allowed real resources to remain undeveloped, and has striven in vain with material means against sickness and sin. The only spontaneity of mortal generation has shown itself in a readiness to suffer. But the awakened one turns to God, and seeing the despicable working of the human mind, seeks the divine Mind. Thus the abasement of humanity is forestalled and its degradation prevented, while man is lifted by the power of God. The active exercise of spiritual thinking gives ability, bursts limitations, destroys hate, and rejuvenates the matured thought. The bane of the so-called matured is a tendency to settle down into habits, to stifle spontaneity, and to sit in judgment upon those who are climbing the scale of human experience with youthful enthusiasm.

In the healing work of Christian Science the spiritual ability which destroys physical as well as mental and moral ills is made manifest. Current misconceptions about the nature of God as divine Mind tend to create an inability to heal. Mrs. Eddy states on page 182 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "Mortals entreat the divine Mind to heal the sick, and forthwith shut out the aid of Mind by using material means, thus working against themselves and their prayers and denying man's God-given ability to demonstrate Mind's sacred power." Whoever believes in the reality of sin and sickness is debarred from overcoming them. The supposition that God made evil and sends death places the preacher and physician who seek to nullify evil in opposition to God. If sin is a reality it is wrong to attempt to wipe out the penalty for sin, but if sin is essentially unreal and can be proven to be so in human experience, then the penalty can be made unreal also. This brings the gospel to the law, the divine to the human, and carries forward the processes by which we reach salvation. Equally valid is the same reasoning when applied to sickness. By no possibility can the human mind admit the destruction of an actual fact, of reality. In order to be amenable to the healing power, disease must be outside the realm of the real.

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