Editorial June 15, 1918 Issue

"What thinkest thou?"

Annie M. Knott

The Master's question to Peter respecting the giving of tribute, "What thinkest thou, Simon?" may be profitably pondered by students of Christian Science every hour of the day. We are constantly called upon to pay tribute to the beliefs and traditions which have been established on the basis of material sense; and yet the Christ call to freedom bids us challenge each one of these, in order to make sure that we are maintaining our allegiance to divine Principle in all we think, say, and do. In the prophecy of Isaiah we are distinctly told that the thoughts of men are very far removed from being like the thoughts of God; and yet the Bible does not permit us to go on under the supposition that this difference should continue, for in the same prophecy the unrighteous man is bidden to change his thinking and to turn to God, who "will abundantly pardon."

It is now very generally known that Christian Science deals primarily with thought—indeed, it may be called the Science of right thinking—and at this point it is well to remember that it was after some years of deep study into the Scriptures that Mrs. Eddy demonstrated to those who were willing to receive the truth that right thinking brings one into a true relation with God, and enables him to gain that knowledge of God which Christ Jesus said "is life eternal." On page 219 of "Miscellaneous Writings" she says: "It is admitted that mortals think wickedly and act wickedly: it is beginning to be seen by thinkers, that mortals think also after a sickly fashion." Mrs. Eddy does not, however, leave the subject here, for she adds, "This is Christian Science: that mortal mind makes sick, and immortal Mind makes well; that mortal mind makes sinners, while immortal Mind makes saints."

For over half a century students of her teachings have been proving the truth of her words, and have had to defend stoutly their right to think upon the things which are true, honest, just, pure, and lovely,—in brief, the things which are healthful,—as Paul admonishes us in his epistle to the Philippians. Those outside of Christian Science may not be aware of it, but it is nevertheless true that all attempts at repressive measures against the practice of Christian Science are really directed at man's God-given right to think truly of himself, that is, in neither a sinful nor a sickly fashion. The practice of Christian Science is not dependent upon poisonous drugs, nor indeed upon anything which does not rest upon the recognition of man as God's spiritual likeness and as governed by spiritual law.

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