Editorial September 27, 1919 Issue

In Accord with Mind

William P. McKenzie

Judging by the experience of practitioners to whom the suffering come that they may learn of that divine wisdom or Christian Science which frees mankind from self-imposed sufferings, there are few persons free from a perpetual inward irritation aroused by their disapproval of the actions of others. The individual believing in his own competent mind, thinks harmony possible only if that mind rules. Finding others mentally active but actuated by different motives and illumined by different views, he is unable to find conformity with their good intentions and so wills and desires that all operations shall conform to his imagination of the right process. Hence there arises in many a business what has been kindly termed a benevolent despotism. This, however, to the workers may not seem to be benevolent at all, since natural growth, intuitive energy, and individual vision are all quenched and work becomes formal and the outlook narrow, with no place for invention or ingenuity or for the exercise of prayer whereby one may reach and discover the answer of Mind.

Elihu as the questioner of Job asks, "Should it be according to thy mind?" It is well for every man at intervals to put to himself this question, especially when he finds himself climbing up the steps of the judgment seat to sit there in condemnation of what others do. The translation of this passage in the American Standard Version of 1901 makes the question read: "Shall his recompense be as thou wilt, that thou refusest it?" Is a man to decide how God shall reward him, and choose or refuse according to his own wish? Not if there has been gained some vision of the one Mind concerning whom it may be said, "Thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth;" not if the example of Christ Jesus is understood, and there is a following in his steps; for he, even when actually reviled, did not revile again, and when made to suffer, did not threaten; but committed his cause "to him that judgeth righteously." The admonition, then, is pertinent which says (Science and Health, p. 216), "Give up your material belief of mind in matter, and have but one Mind, even God; for this Mind forms its own likeness."

There are cases of healing, for example, where recovery and comfort and recuperation are due to deliverance from resentment, irritation, severity, harsh judgment of one's self and others, through discovery of the perfection of God's government and the peace of heart which follows a willingness to obey divine Mind. The will to make human beings obey the varying theories of conduct emanating from the human brain has to be supported by cruelty. It is illustrated by the brutalities of the slave traffic. The will to power disregards the rights as well as the feelings of others, since domination is looked upon as of supreme importance and the one who can domineer belives he becomes thereby a veritable lord; but hereby discord becomes a raging power in the earth, because mortal mind continually provides "gods many, and lords many." No peace is possible until men yield up their personal ambition to be dominant, forceful, brainy and braggart, and recognizing one Mind, are content to be obedient, pure, and tender-hearted. Then comes true dominion, even as our textbook discloses (Science and Health, p. 307): "The divine Mind is the Soul of man, and gives man dominion over all things. Man was not created from a material basis, nor bidden to obey material laws which Spirit never made; his province is in spiritual statues, in the higher law of Mind."

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