Editorial July 22, 1922 Issue

Quietness

Ella W. Hoag

In "Retrospection and Introspection" (p. 93), Mrs. Eddy writes: "The best spiritual type of Christly method for uplifting human thought and imparting divine Truth, is stationary power, stillness, and strength; and when this spiritual ideal is made our own, it becomes the model for human action." Now the Christian Scientist quickly recognizes the necessity of having some understanding of both power and strength in order to uplift human thought and impart divine Truth; but he is not always so awake to the importance of stillness. Indeed, mankind in general resists the true sense of quietness, so little does it deem it desirable, since it is so contrary to the arrogance of so-called mortal mind. Isaiah held this same model of "Christly method" before the people, only to be met with similar resistance; for he declared: "Thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not."

There are many reasons why this holy quality is resisted: the first and most apparent is because it stands for all that is unselfed and unassuming, for that which "seeketh not her own," "is not puffed up." True quietness is never aggressive, never arrogant. It never egotistically asks to be considered in any way, nor does it ever call attention to itself. Indeed, on the contrary, it can never be recognized except egotism and its like be absent, and it only appears in proportion as turmoil and unrest disappear, since it is a truism that opposites cannot dwell together.

The so-called carnal mind, which seeks only its own recognition, is always ready with clamor and bustle, since it imagines the way for it to be known is only through its own acclaim; and it therefore insists on the futility and undesirability of peace and quiet. Indeed, it will not only always argue against these, insisting on the importance of its own noise, but it will also endeavor to misrepresent quietness, by claiming that the latter is inactive and lethargic,—whereas these evil qualities have nothing in common with true stillness. Instead, there is no attitude so conducive to the very highest spiritual activity and right spiritual progress as is the proper understanding and attainment of right mental quietude.

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