Editorial September 28, 1918 Issue

"Arise, let us go hence"

William D. McCrackan

Let us arise and leave behind the old theories which have been found wanting, the sterile philosophies, the threatening theologies, and the sad solemnities of mourning for the dead. In that deeply compassionate fourteenth chapter of John, in which Jesus is described as comforting his disciples by promising them the "Spirit of truth," he is also represented as telling them that he was going away. He even felt constrained to say: "Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence."

The roots of indolence strike deep in human consciousness. When they are watered with fear they grow into a hard fiber which is known as stubbornness. There is generally an instinctive reluctance to go forward. Indolence seeks worldly wisdom as an ally, and hopes thereby to find the line of safety; but the only real safety lies in obedience to God,—as Jesus expressed it, "And as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do." When the Christian Scientist permits himself to be halted in his spiritual progress by the twin highwaymen, indolence and fear, he is in danger of being robbed of his spiritual understanding. On page 24 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy writes: "Acquaintance with the original texts, and willingness to give up human beliefs (established by hierarchies, and instigated sometimes by the worst passions of men), open the way for Christian Science to be understood, and make the Bible the chart of life, where the buoys and healing currents of Truth are pointed out." In physics the natural indisposition on the part of matter to move, its apparent resistance to change, is called inertia. Christian Science shows that there is no matter and that the mental state called materiality is fundamentally inert, because it is unintelligent, and of itself incapable of motion, or of acting as cause or effect.

Whither then shall we go? Leaving all for Christ, having discounted all earthly attractions, and placing our reliance solely on God, are we willing to go away as the Master did? In reality there is no elsewhere into which to go. God is here, heaven is here. Going hence is a mere figure of speech, for God's man constantly abides in God's peace. God's work was finished in the beginning. The advancing Christian Scientist rejoices in this. He leaves nothing real behind, but finds the whole creation everywhere. No vain regrets, no baffled plans mar his joy when he follows the Christ, Truth, as it calls to him, "Arise, let us go hence." In the words of Isaiah he answers, "Here am I; send me."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

The Holy Scriptures