Article November 13, 1920 Issue

"Why are ye fearful?"

WILLIAM A. BALL

The statement in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 377) where Mrs. Eddy says, "The cause of all so-called disease is mental, a mortal fear, a mistaken belief or conviction of the necessity and power of ill-health; also a fear that Mind is helpless to defend the life of man and incompetent to control it," is well worth studying carefully, and by so doing the Christian Science student will be fully repaid for his diligence. We find that the Master many times used the words, "Be not afraid," or "Why are ye fearful?" This was the keynote of harmony, then as now. Christian Science teaches us not to fear, and to claim our God-given dominion over all the earth. If we are afraid, there is a great mental disturbance going on, and this state of mind shuts out or obscures the fact that we have nothing to fear. On page 425 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy says: "Correct material belief by spiritual understanding, and Spirit will form you anew. You will never fear again except to offend God, and you will never believe that heart or any portion of the body can destroy you."

When we realize that the truth about God's creation can never be changed and that man, as His expression, is perfect even as He is perfect, then we are beginning to lay claim to our birthright—dominion, harmony, and immortality. The Master's words to Peter, "Lovest thou me?" were answered in the affirmative; then Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." This in other words was a command to give to others what he had received from the Savior. Our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, has now given to suffering humanity this same doctrine of Love. On page 391 of Science and Health she says: "Mentally contradict every complaint from the body, and rise to the true consciousness of Life as Love,—as all that is pure, and bearing the fruits of Spirit. Fear is the fountain of sickness, and you master fear and sin through divine Mind." When we are downcast and everything seems dark, we have only to know that this is only illusion, and that just as surely as the sun will appear from behind the cloud, divine Love manifests itself in exactly the right way. These teachings are so beautiful and simple and demonstrable that a child can understand them; in fact, the children sometimes grasp these simple truths more quickly than do their parents. This explains our Master's love for little children. Children, trained to think rightly in Christian Science, reflect the love of God, and in their fearless bearing often put to shame others not instructed in this beautiful doctrine. We must all become as little children, and then we shall be able to accept the blessing of our Father in heaven, which includes all good things.

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