Article October 2, 1920 Issue

Reconstruction

EDWARD NASH

The destructive element has been so prominent of late years that it is not now surprising to see, supervening, a reaction toward the idea of reconstruction. The success or failure of efforts in this direction will, of course, depend upon careful planning. The old saying, "First think; then act," is superfluous, since there can be no action unless there has been first the idea in Mind. Right action is the true idea. For foundation there must be the soundness of right thinking. Now, right thinking can only come from Principle, Mind. If a building up is attempted on the basis of mortal mind there must be as many diversities of opinion as there are diversities of so-called mortal minds. Hence, unless reconstruction is based on one Mind, one Principle, there is sure to be endless discussion, confusion, and ultimate failure—the inevitable result of failure to think rightly.

Mrs. Eddy, the inspired author of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," the Christian Science textbook, says in her Preface (p. vii), "The time for thinkers has come." The thinker who as yet knows nothing about Christian Science cannot understand how what he calls "religion" can have anything to do with the practical side of reconstruction. He may go to church and may join in a supplication for blessings on those in authority whose business it is to guide the affairs of the nation; but if he really is a thinker, he may not readily believe that his supplications are going to lead God to grant his requests, because he has never yet seen regular, certain, and definite results from his prayers. If he thinks at all of the words which are being repeated for him, he still may have no real belief that any result is to be expected. And no results comes. It may be hard for him to believe that religion can in any way really affect practical problems. On the other hand, a thinker who has studied and has gained some knowledge of the truth of being, as explained by Christian Science, has also probably seen more than a few demonstrations of the collapse of discord and the incoming of harmony into daily life, which convince him not only that practical problems can be solved by right thought but that they can be solved in no other way; and this is the standpoint of Christian Science.

Christian Scientists know God as Principle, Mind, or Spirit. They know also that Mind is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. They know that there is no power, presence, or intelligence which can guide man rightly in his daily practical work except this Mind. They know this because they see it demonstrated daily, not only in the healing of sickness, but much more in the harmony which is brought into ordinary affairs, both small and great. And they have been taught by Mrs. Eddy's writings—writings which are altogether based on the life and sayings of Christ Jesus and on the sayings and doings of the inspired prophets—how they may bring into operation this power of divine Love. Thus, when a Christian Scientist thinks of reconstruction he knows that there must first of all be a reconstruction or recreation of thought which should rule out of himself all material selfhood—all self-seeking, all desire for place, power, or gain, all jealousy and pride, all desire for praise, and all fear of blame. With this preliminary thought he is ready to face the problem.

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