Article January 29, 1921 Issue

Reliance on Principle

RONALD B. CLIFTON

All of us, at some time in our experience, are confronted with the belief that we have been wronged in a social, business, or political way,—that we have been unjustly treated. The industrial unrest which has been felt throughout the world is largely due to this feeling of injustice. It is of the greatest importance that every one of us should guard his thoughts carefully, so that no error be allowed to creep into our experience, in our home, or in our church. When we discover that we are harboring a sense of having been wronged, if we search our thoughts earnestly we shall find that this belief is caused by self-righteousness, self-justification, or stubborn will, none of which has any place in God's creation. On page 242 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes, "In patient obedience to a patient God, let us labor to dissolve with the universal solvent of Love the adamant of error,—self-will, self-justification, and self-love,—which wars against spirituality and is the law of sin and death."

Human will is only the absence of a true understanding of Love and can never heal any discord. If we would ask ourselves this question: "What would Christ Jesus do if he were in my place?" when we meet seeming discord, and then do as we conscientiously believe he would have done, divine Love will solve our problem. When we think an injustice has been done us, however, if we make a reality of the supposed grievance, taking comfort in the sympathy error is always ready to offer error, we only fasten the belief on ourselves more firmly. Hence, Christian Science teaches us to rely, not on human policy or personal opinion, but on Principle.

Does the mariner, who in peaceful weather sails his ship in accordance with definite nautical science, disregard his knowledge when he meets with a stormy sea? Because the waves roll high, does he decide to forsake his chart and trust to his sense of right or wrong? If he did, he would not get very far. On the contrary, in peace or storm, he sails his ship according to a definite rule, knowing this to be the surest way to port. So in the problems of everyday life, Christian Scientists are taught to rely absolutely on God.

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