Editorial July 8, 1922 Issue

The Practicality of Perfection

Albert F. Gilmore

Pope, declaring in the "Essay on Criticism" that

Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see,
Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er shall be, expresses a point of view concerning a single line of human endeavor which is commonly held in respect to all the activities to which men address themselves. That perfection is unattainable is so deep a conviction that even as a remote possibility it is set aside as being part and parcel of that idealism which is indulged in only by dreamers and other visionaries. Even the teachings of Christ Jesus, demanding that men recognize man's perfect state of being, by many so-called practical persons have been declared impossible of acceptance, and dismissed as without application in the affairs of life. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" has been pronounced inutile and visionary. Mary Baker Eddy, sweeping aside the clouds of skepticism and doubt, with clear spiritual vision set before the world the true idealism, which finds its fulfillment in nothing less than perfection,—not a far-off state of excellence, as is often held to be acquired only after the experience termed death, but a state to be entered upon here and now through gaining spiritual understanding, a knowledge of the facts of being. On page 550 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy says, "The true sense of being and its eternal perfection should appear now, even as it will hereafter."

Moreover, our beloved Leader has gone much farther as a benefactor of mankind than to declare man's perfectibility,—even pointing the way to the attainment of perfection by revealing its perfect, law, and, like every practical teacher, proving her faith by her works. With the vision of the true idealist, she revealed the healing Christ as the one conqueror of sin in its multifarious forms, thereby demonstrating the practicality of Truth as mankind's redeemer and savior. She proved that Christ, the truth about God and His creation, is available here and now, and that in the degree that this understanding is gained and applied will perfection itself be realized. While the ultimate of perfection, the awaking in His likeness which the psalmist forecast, may not be demonstrated in time, Christian Science teaches that as rapidly as any fact or phase of Truth is grasped, in that degree is perfection gained. As little by little, knowledge of mathematical truth is gained, each newly revealed fact increasing one's capability,—so each true idea of being acquired and put to practical use enhances one's spiritual power, inspires and assists the higher demonstration.

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