Be Not Troubled

WILLIAM W. PORTER

On page 380 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy writes: "Many years ago the author made a spiritual discovery, the scientific evidence of which has accumulated to prove that the divine Mind produces in man health, harmony, and immortality." Since these words were written, it has come about that many no longer believe sin and sickness to be natural and unavoidable. On the contrary, as the result of the practice and teaching of Christian Science, to-day thought is rightly informed as to the divine Mind, or God, and His perfect spiritual creation, and men look with confidence and expectancy for the manifestation forthwith of health and harmony. The era of better thinking introduced by Jesus in the first century, which corrected the wrong thinking exemplified in the religious hatred expressed by Saul of Tarsus in his persecutions of the early Christians, finds a counterpart in the era of right mental activity wrought by Christian Science in the twentieth century, which corrects the wrong thinking implicated in the indulgence of the senses.

Saul, afterwards called Paul, with all mankind then as now, possessed the capacity to think; and, because of this, the teachings of Jesus were a rebuke to him. They demanded attention and thought; they would not be brushed aside by mere ecclesiastical assertion. Despite these assertions the works, which confirmed the teachings, remained stubbornly in evidence to arouse and quicken thought. The theology and medicine of the day were unable either to equal or to refute the works of the Master. Having lived for years in the atmosphere of ecclesiastical dogma, and having been taught to reverence form and ceremony as an essential of religion,—to accept the symbol in the place of the substance,—and possessing at the same time the capacity to think, it was in the nature of things that the time should come when Paul exercise this capacity in the right direction. The time came to him, specifically, with the Damascus experience.

The analogy between the day of Paul and the present time is clear. Christian Science marks the beginning of an era of right mental activity which is identical with the true mental processes presented in the teachings of Jesus. On the roadways of the world to-day are to be found those who, like Saul, are traveling in the direction of painful experience. Sauls drunk with hatred are to be found in the twentieth century as readily as in the first. The capacity for right thinking, however, exists always. It is imperative, therefore, that the time should again come for thought to be exercised in obedience to Truth. On this point, and speaking specifically to indicate the exactness of Christian Science, one finds Mrs. Eddy's words sounding clear (Science and Health, p. 404), "The temperance reform, felt all over our land, results from metaphysical healing, which cuts down every tree that brings not forth good fruit." The passing of the evil called intemperance may seem to some to be an economical advance which affects material welfare only. It is that and more. It is the certain result of the exercise of that capacity to think correctly which transformed Saul of Tarsus, drunk with hatred, into the sober Christian, Paul; in other words, it is specific evidence of the truth of Paul's own late teaching, "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind."

Mind, the divine intelligence, exists. Intelligence without manifestation is inconceivable. It is in the very nature of things, therefore, that the invincible intelligence of the divine Mind should sooner or later overcome, and deprive of its seeming attractiveness, that appeal of matter called alcohol, which induces men to be unthinking. For centuries, men have used alcohol for their diversion; and, accordingly, alcohol has diverted them and distorted their development. The capacity for true thinking, however, which is possessed by all mankind, and which is developed by Christian Science, is being manifested in the present day by the consistent rejection of this form of volatile matter as a beverage which interferes with right thinking and its attendant harmonies.

Had Paul realized that his painful experiences were due to his emergence out of wrong thinking into right thinking, his sufferings would have been lessened and shortened. The present discordant conflicts, international, industrial, and otherwise, do not necessarily presage dissolution or ruin to the universe, however distressing they may seem to be. Contrariwise, these things should indicate a growing ability on the part of men to think, when released from the influence of unthinking matter in the form of alcohol; they should testify also to a fact of deeper significance,—namely, that Christian Science, the Science of the Christ, Truth, is now sufficiently understood for human thought to be more willing and ready to be guided, in obedience to Truth, into the experience of harmonious achievement.

The enslavement of thought, and all unrighteous discriminations between men, must be removed by the divine Mind, God, and His idea, working through reason and revelation, as demonstrated in Christian Science. This higher era of Christian civilization already has crossed the threshold of humanity; and it is fulfilling the promise of Olivet. It comes to-day as it came in the olden time, and with the same fair greeting; Be not troubled.

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"Our sufficient guide"

November 1, 1922

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