Article November 22, 1919 Issue

Spiritual Activity

EDWARD EVERETT NORWOOD

Jesus spoke as one having authority because he was one with Principle or the source of authority, the ever divine, infinite God, good. He never accepted mortal mind's valuation of a single incident or situation. "The scientific man and his Maker are here; and you would be none other than this man, if you would subordinate the fleshly perceptions to the spiritual sense and source of being," says Mrs. Eddy in "Unity of Good" (p. 46). Thus did our Master, and in doing so he proved man to be the intelligent reflection of divine Mind, possessing and exercising dominion over all.

As we understand that God is supreme, eternal good, we are thrilled by the transcendental importance of what this means; and as we put this knowledge into practical activity, our joy and gratitude become unbounded. When we really understand Christian Science we can demonstrate it, and in the same proportion are we grateful for its blessings, because we know the basis thereof. The joy that comes when we are enabled to help others is unspeakable; it must be experienced to be comprehended. And a blessed thing about it is, we learn to be honest with ourselves as well as with our patients. We are showing the latter how foolish it is to imagine they can stand at parade rest and be healed, as one orders a pair of shoes made. There is a work to be done by each and every one, by both patient and practitioner, in order that harmony may be established. We are learning and imparting the great truth that salvation is from sin, not from mere penalty of sin, and that we are just as good to-day as we really want to be. This stirs thought to honesty of purpose, with desire and energy to fulfill it; and health and wholeness are gained. How firm a foundation have the saints of the Lord! All that is based on anything less is mere theory and speculation, and a journey into that realm is unprofitable, without even one's traveling expenses paid. "Great peace have they which love thy [God's] law: and nothing shall offend them." says the psalmist.

We see the great need of the world for right mental activity; that thinkers and thinking—reflecting the Mind of Christ—can alone save it. A Christian Science treatment is knowing what is true about any situation that can arise, and the truth of it always has dominion over the material belief about it. We never settle any subject until we refer it to Mind, and consider it from a correct basis. Now good is one, primitive. We understand it, reflect, express it. On the other hand, evil is vague, negative, illusive. The carnal mind is not subject to the law of God, because there is nothing in evil to respond to law. Good does not regulate evil, but destroys it, even as light dispels darkness. Then what is analyzed? It is a situation,—a suppositional mixture of good and evil; and as Truth is applied to the problem, the evil comes to the surface and passes off; the good remains, and the problem is solved. A great necessity is to get the problem correctly stated—to reduce it to its common denominator. Error would have us add pennies and pints and inches, and it cannot be done; hence there is no answer. The Master's simple rule—all that is secret shall be uncovered, all that is hidden be brought to light—is followed, and the answer is clearly seen, because the one Mind has revealed it.

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