Editorial July 9, 1921 Issue

Methuselah and Longevity

Gustavus S. Paine

Of Methuselah, the son of Enoch and the grandfather of Noah, the Bible has very little to say. The fact which has made him famous is stated in the twenty-seventh verse of the fifth chapter of Genesis where we are informed that "all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years;" but as to what he did during these years we know nothing. His name has stood out amid the host of Scriptural names simply because to him is ascribed the greatest number of years recorded in all the genealogical data of the Bible. In other words, he has represented throughout subsequent history what has been considered a more or less improbable ideal of longevity. This ideal humanity has often thought of with superficial amusement but with inward seriousness. Immortality is, indeed, the fundamental ideal of living; but humanity has too often regarded it merely as a desirable accompaniment of materiality rather as inherent in Spirit alone.

In one sense, the experience of Enoch, that he "walked with God," has been of more immortal inspiration to the world than all the years of Methuselah, for true walking with God, divine Principle, is actually spiritual living. Likewise Noah, who, as Paul points out, "became heir of the righteousness which is by faith," has exemplified to the world considerable understanding of spiritual immortality. Thus Mrs. Eddy says of him (Science and Health, p. 592): "Noah. A corporeal mortal; knowledge of the nothingness of material things and of the immortality of all that is spiritual." Certainly the ministry of Christ Jesus, that was so brief when reckoned in earthly years, has meant immensely more to the world than all the years of Methuselah or even than the sense of goodness manifest through Enoch or Noah. Each unfoldment of Principle, however, proves just what needs to be proved at the time and in the circumstances.

Human longevity is merely an earthly counterfeit of the true immortality, which is without beginning or end, in Mind and not in matter. As the mortal beliefs of limitation yield to infinite Mind infinitely manifest as spiritual idea, the sense of immaturity, adolescence, and old age must, indeed, be overcome in one way or another. What the way of overcoming is to be no one can humanly outline, for the real proof of eternal Life is boundless, as shown in such experiences as those of Enoch, Methuselah, Elijah, Lazarus, and Christ Jesus. Every phase of human limitation that is replaced with the understanding of Life as infinite Mind, or Principle, shows anew the vanity of matter. So instead of desiring to dwell many earthly years in a material condition, one needs to discern and demonstrate what it means to live forever in Mind now.

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