Editorial March 16, 1918 Issue

Perseverance

William D. McCrackan

Growth in Christian Science demands the ability to maintain the right in spite of counterinfluences. This every practical exponent of Science knows from personal experience. Perseverance is not the obstinacy of self-will, but an unselfed consecration to God's will. Perseverance breaks the backbone of that trinity of the devil: discontent, dissatisfaction, discouragement, the three D's which play the traitor to the Christian soldier on the march. Perseverance is an ally to obedience, and when the heavenly call has been heard and accepted, makes the choice definite and keeps the path strictly in line with God's commands.

On page 340 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy says, "The lives of great men and women are miracles of patience and perseverance." She also states on page 514 of Science and Health, "In the figurative transmission from the divine thought to the human, diligence, promptness, and perseverance are likened to 'the cattle upon a thousand hills;'" and again, on page 515, "Patience is symbolized by the tireless worm, creeping over lofty summits, persevering in its intent." Certain it is that without perseverance repeated sacrifices of self seem to be fruitless. With perseverance the advancing Christian Scientist learns how to disentangle himself from the tentacles of human belief, to leave behind him, as he marches forward, the exasperating demands of physicality, the mortal laws which should be more honored in the breach than the observance, the contracting ties of false relationships, the congestion of much ado about nothing, the loss of time in empty talk, the wish to please men rather than God. Perseverance is a necessary quality for all those who are uncoiling the serpents of love of ease, love of popular approval, and love of ecclesiastical control. Perseverance will discipline their scientific Christianity with strictness and fortitude.

When obedience is supported by perseverance, the fruits of the Spirit inevitably ripen into a glorious harvest under the sunlight of Soul. Human experience is full of instances in which an ounce of perseverance brings the pound of noble achievement. A little hammer used with perseverance can accomplish wonders in building operations. The persevering, rhythmic step of the mountaineer carries him to the highest peaks. When human nature cries out that its utmost has been accomplished, the next step generally brings victory,—mortal sense surrenders to immortal power, and the infinite masters the finite.

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