Knowing

IT is a wonderful privilege the people of the twentieth century enjoy, the privilege of knowing. Christ Jesus said when imparting spiritual knowledge, "If ye continue in my word . . . ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." All down the ages the people have heard the words and repeated them, but as does the little child who, being taught that two and two are four, lisps out the words and smiles with satisfaction, thinking that is all there is to it. The real meaning, however, is gained only as people learn the necessity of knowing. When the child once knows why two and two are four it cannot be deluded into believing that it is more or less than four. The student who has gained an accurate knowledge of the science of numbers is prepared to meet with a quiet, undisturbed thought any mathematical problem that may come to him. Thus knowing is a preventive as well as a solvent. As we ponder these things we begin to realize that knowledge is the only real power. Knowing how to do anything eliminates awkward mistakes, mistakes so disturbing to our peace and harmony. As we realize this we recall again the saying of our Master, "Ye shall know the truth," and knowing the truth will free us from making mistakes. If our ignorance does not condemn us to fear, "then have we confidence toward God," and then, also, "in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength."

The student of Christian Science, having realized somewhat the truth of Mrs. Eddy's statement in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 468) that "All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all," which is reiterated again and again throughout her writings, also Jesus' statement, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing," is prepared to see that Christian Science is both a preventive and a curative; for if truth is known and daily lived, practiced, and proved, we shall find our problems already solved. The statement, "I have more error to meet than any one else," is not true, but rather, "I may seem to have less understanding of the truth than some," would be more nearly correct. The student of music who makes most mistakes has not more mistakes to meet than any one else, but seemingly less understanding of the fundamentals of music to eliminate mistakes. Any student who fails to solve to-day's problem may find his task harder on the morrow. What would be thought of a person who said, "Oh, I am a mathematician, I know, for I believe in mathematics, and feel in my heart that it is right," yet when asked to work a simple sum answered, "I do not know how to work examples; I just believe." Believing is not enough. We must prove our faith by our works, else faith is vain.

Suppose another should say, "I just love music. No, I do not play, but I must be a musician, for I have such faith." But says James, "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?" "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works," and, "faith without works is dead." Knowledge of any sort demands proof. A business man advertising for a clerk, bookkeeper, or a stenographer is not looking for some one who merely believes in those things, but for one who is capable of doing the work. A Christian Scientist knows that the rule Christ Jesus set for his students is the standard for all students for all time, and he measures his Christianity according to his ability to demonstrate the rule. Mrs. Eddy says on page 109 of Science and Health, "I knew the Principle of all harmonious Mind-action to be God, and that cures were produced in primitive Christian healing by holy, uplifting faith; but I must know the Science of this healing, and I won my way to absolute conclusions through divine revelation, reason, and demonstration." The work is and must ever continue to be individual. The writer was at one time very much disturbed because there seemed to be no way of knowing the meaning of the Bible or the mysteries of existence, and she used to wonder what would have been her attitude toward Christ Jesus had she lived in his day. But when Christian Science was presented to her she was quick to grasp its meaning, and had ample proof of her faith by signs following, in her own physical healing. Then she felt the uplifting joy that she would have recognized Jesus as the Christ. To conquer sense and self, however, has been a sterner task; but evil cannot withstand divine effort. As Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 254), "Individuals are consistent who, watching and praying, can 'run, and not be weary; . . . walk, and not faint,' who gain good rapidly and hold their position, or attain slowly and yield not to discouragement." When we learn that it is a work that must be done we go about it with the same persistent effort that we do with any other task, and our effort is rewarded with more harmony, peace, and assurance of final victory. When once a knowledge of the truth is attained one could no more part from it than from any other acquired knowledge, and the more one applies what one knows of Truth the more ways one finds of using it; for Truth destroys fear, anxiety, and worry, and little everyday annoyances fade out as we gain an understanding of the allness of good. Anxiety for the future is destroyed by knowing that Mind is the source of supply, that matter can neither give to nor take from man. Nor do we worry about what will become of our fellow men, for there is not nor ever can be any limit to the infinite All. With confidence, therefore, we can repeat the last verse of the twenty-third psalm: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."