Editorial November 10, 1923 Issue

Be Not Contentious

Albert F. Gilmore

Paul had full confidence in the righteousness of God's judgments. In his famous letter to the Christians in Rome he sets forth the just reward of the righteous, to whom, "by patient continuance in well doing," eternal life is promised; but "unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath." The stalwart Apostle to the Gentiles dealt with the suggestions of evil conveyed in the word "contentious" with his accustomed vigor. In his characterization of the punishment that should surely come to those who contend, there was no euphemism, no failure to state plainly the results, namely, the "indignation and wrath" of the Lord.

Christian Scientists learn the necessity of overcoming the habit of contention; for they know that strife and altercation result from differences of opinion growing out of the disagreements of mortals. The recognition of the source of such disagreement as other than the one Mind is the proof of its falsity; and, moreover, when all are of one Mind, reflecting the infinite Father-Mother God, who is all good, there can be no disagreement, hence no basis for strife.

The tendency to contend in support of one's opinions is so general as to call for careful attention from those who are seeking to order their lives in accordance with the precepts of Christ Jesus, as elucidated and practiced by the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy. It is found upon analysis that the basis of this mental quality is the belief that man exists apart from God; that man is other than God's expression, separate from and independent of the divine Life which is the only true Being, and therefore is not perfect. With such a mistaken premise, how could right conclusions follow? Mortals little realize how serious it is to strive to establish wrong. While morally they might be excused on the ground of ignorance, yet the result is no less disastrous.

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