Editorial January 11, 1919 ISSUE

Reconstruction

William D. McCrackan

Christian Science reconstructs the body, as multitudes of the healed attest daily. It instructs individuals how to work out their own salvation by pulling down the false gods of fear, hate, doubt, and suspicion, and how to rebuild upon the foundation of truth, using the spiritual qualities of God. Individuals who have built up a false reliance upon materia medica, for example, must be willing to tear down and to clear away the rubbish in order to reach a firm foundation. The new man, born of the Spirit, can withstand the assaults of the enemy with the love of the real Mother and the power of the real Father. Mrs. Eddy, quoting Jesus' utterance, writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 27): "That Life is God, Jesus proved by his reappearance after the crucifixion in strict accordance with his scientific statement: 'Destroy this temple [body] and in three days I [Spirit] will raise it up.' It is as if he had said: The I—the Life, substance, and intelligence of the universe—is not in matter to be destroyed."

Christian Science also extends its healing authority to the nations. To-day it warns and exhorts them to reconstruct their substructures and superstructures so that they shall be free from the corroding influences of the past, from the superficialities and superstitions which now make reconstruction necessary. The secret motives which produced the world war must be eradicated so that the new order may rest upon the law of God. There were premonitions of impending danger before the great war, but they were not heeded.

Warned by the mental undercurrents of the Boer war, Rudyard Kipling appealed to England with his ringing poem, "Lest We Forget." King George of England, while still Prince of Wales, returning from his visit to India issued his call, "England, Awake!" Stimulated by the menace of Germany's portentous armed power, Lord Roberts at the close of his soldier's career traveled up and down his native land crying aloud for preparation, Captain Mahan and Admiral Scott exposed the purpose of the German navy,—yet England slept until the shot at Sarajevo broke the mesmeric stillness. In the United States there were not wanting valiant public men who shook the recumbent giant of the great Republic and tried to still the shameful cry of Cain, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Noble youths of the land, with the unerring spiritual sight of the eagle, pierced the sophistries of neutrality, and as Lafayette came to America without the authorization of his government so they, risking all, returned the favor,—yet America slept until the accumulated drownings of her own citizens broke the hypnotic spell.

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