Article September 6, 1919 Issue

Uprooting Error

ELIZABETH H. MURPHY

On page 188 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy has written, "Sin and the fear of disease must be uprooted and cast out." The writer learned a helpful lesson one day while overseeing the uprooting of an elm tree. Two strong men dug long and faithfully around the roots that held the tree firm in the soil. Each root was immediately cut off as soon as the dirt was cleared away from it, leaving the tree less secure in the ground. There were, however, many roots to be cut, making it a long and tedious job. It was interesting to note that it was not until all of the roots had been severed down to the taproot, the very largest and most important root of a tree, that the workmen were able to budge the tree or feel that it was loosening from its place. After digging much deeper directly underneath the tree the large taproot was eventually found and cut off, and this left the tree entirely uprooted.

How many times the student of Christian Science feels that his problem is a long and tedious one, and fails to see that each root of error he cuts off is a great step toward the complete uprooting of every belief connected with his problem. As to the onlooker the tree appeared firm and unshaken in its place until the very last and deepest root was struck, so our human problems may seem slow in being solved, and the error appear real, until every belief connected with them is uncovered and severed. As Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health (p. 37), "Consciousness of right-doing brings its own reward; but not amid the smoke of battle is merit seen and appreciated by lookers-on."

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