Article February 12, 1921 Issue

Principle, Not Person

MARY E. ARMSTRONG

In discussing "government" after the Russo-Japanese war Mrs. Eddy writes on page 282 of Miscellany, "While I admire the faith and friendship of our chief executive in and for all nations, my hope must still rest in God, and the Scriptural injunction,—'Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth,'" and all through her writings she ceaselessly turns us from person to Principle. To those passing through this dream of material existence, there is seemingly always war of some kind, even if it be only the conflict in what suggests itself as one's own consciousness; but the remedy is always the same. Looking to Principle we get our immediate answer, the victory is won, the peace treaty signed, the problem solved, and we are ready to meet the next, until wars shall cease. Looking to Principle, we inevitably mount quickly; mortal opinions are always down-dragging and delaying.

It is always comforting for the student of Christian Science to remember that from the moment he gets his first gleam of spiritual understanding, from that moment he begins to be a Christian Science practitioner, and the more he uses that little gleam of light the bigger and brighter it will grow. Progress is individual and depends upon one's own mental activity. It always means looking to Principle. Principle is perfection. There is no evil in Principle. We can always be sure when we are looking to Principle because Principle gives us only one answer either about ourselves or our fellow men in any situation—perfection. On page 259 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy tells us, "The Christlike understanding of scientific being and divine healing includes a perfect Principle and idea,—perfect God and perfect man,—as the basis of thought and demonstration." If one is alone, seemingly struggling with a problem, he can always look to Principle and know that he is getting the absolute truth. If he looks to human personality especially if the question be a public one, he is liable to be drawn into a maze of conflicting human opinions from which he may find it difficult to extricate himself, and which may cause seeming blindness to Principle.

Principle stands for all that is good and admits of no evil. If two thoughts present themselves it is always helpful to choose the better one—the one nearest Principle. Doing this we cannot fail to be guided rightly and to bring healing to any situation. Principle constitutes the Mind that was expressed in Christ Jesus, the house built on a rock. There can be but one answer about either God or His idea; therefore Principle urges, "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else."

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Principle, Not Person

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access