Editorial April 12, 1919 Issue

Mind versus Resistance

William P. McKenzie

We are quite familiar with the words of the psalmist, when he said, "God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God." Why twice? Perhaps because it is necessary for human beings to deny the claim that evil is power, as well as to understand and ascertain that good is power. This is the fact, however,—that Mind, intelligence, only is power, and that which resists is always overcome. To comprehend that evil is not actual power, but only a phase of resistance to good, and that it is never positive, but ever negative, being mindlessness, non-intelligence, stupidity, barbarism, is to understand its temporary nature and ultimate dismissal into nothingness. Prophecy marches on to its fulfillment, "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."

One phase of the great war has ended, and the systematic destruction of human bodies has ceased. Mortal mind has been disappointed in one plan to enthrone will power, but quickly twists, serpentlike, into another line of evil endeavor. Unable to enthrone one imperial dictator whereby to enslave the free, it inspires human barbarity in many minds to conspire together against all order, decency, and even civilization itself. Civilization has laboriously built up its methods for communal advancement, for urban life, for travel and transport, and for education based upon good will and service. The tempter says, Let good will and service cease; steal what others have saved; destroy what is built up; kill those who are thinkers.

Amid the confusions and semi-successes of evil minds it may not always be easy to see that Mind is power, but this is nevertheless the fact. Furthermore, as our textbook says, "Every mortal at some period, here or hereafter, must grapple with and overcome the mortal belief in a power opposed to God" (Science and Health, p. 569). In this conflict it is well to be encouraged by what has happened in the past. Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 225): "The history of our country, like all history, illustrates the might of Mind, and shows human power to be proportionate to its embodiment of right thinking. A few immortal sentences, breathing the omnipotence of divine justice, have been potent to break despotic fetters and abolish the whipping-post and slave market; but oppression neither went down in blood, nor did the breath of freedom come from the cannon's mouth. Love is the liberator." In those days when liberation was being worked out there was, of course, violent resistance. Every evil turn of speech, all venom of words, and cantankerousness of action was used against reformers and thinkers, but somehow the people laid hold of a right idea of Mind and, behold, it grew in might and, becoming irresistible, was inevitably triumphant.

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