To Know

LOUIS E. SCHOLL

We have often heard it said that knowledge is power; and the truth of the statement is generally accepted. In business and the professions men listen with respect, admiration, and profit to one of their number who knows whereof he speaks. Usually, men of specific knowledge hold superior positions, and men under them obey their orders in consequence, because they know that true knowledge is power and constitutes rightful authority. On the other hand, ignorance is weakness; and little can be accomplished in any line on which we are poorly informed or misinformed.

One of the old philosophers said, "I think; therefore I am." It would perhaps be truer to say, I know; therefore I am: for while it is quite possible for mortals to think erroneously, it is not possible to know erroneously, since one cannot know what is not true. What one knows about Truth, therefore, actually determines his individuality. Man being made in the image and likeness of God, his true individuality or identity is revealed only as he knows this; and through knowing it he expresses Godlike qualities.

When Job turned from the sad lament over his seemingly great misfortunes and declared, "I know that my redeemer liveth," and, "I know that thou canst do every thing," he passed from weakness to power; and it was just such positive declarations of the truth as these and the putting of them into practice that turned the tide of Job's affairs, and in the end "gave Job twice as much as he had before."

In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy has given us very positive statements of the truth about God and man; so clear and so positive that they have carried conviction to multitudes who have been moved to accept and obey them with resultant blessings to themselves and mankind. On page 109 of that book Mrs. Eddy says, "I knew the Principle of all harmonious Mind-action to be God, and that cures were produced in primitive Christian healing by holy, uplifting faith; but I must know the Science of this healing, and I won my way to absolute conclusions through divine revelation, reason, and demonstration." All of Mrs. Eddy's writings are characterized by such definiteness that no reader need be left in doubt as to just what Christian Science teaches, or as to what the results will be if its teachings are obeyed.

It was this same definite knowledge that characterized all of Jesus' teachings, and that gave his message such power that his hearers "were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one having authority." In stern rebuke to those Jews that sought to kill him he said, "I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you." He stood at the grave of Lazarus, and prayed affirmatively: "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always." What a wonderful thing it would be if every Christian could always pray that same joyous, confident prayer, and know that before we call He will answer, and that while we are yet speaking He will hear! And what is there to hinder us from having this confidence, except it be our lack of understanding, together with out unwillingness to follow the truth that has been so fully revealed in Christian Science?

Since it cannot be gainsaid that in religion, as in everything else, no wavering, halting, half-hearted position will ever enable us to get results, we should most earnestly strive so firmly to establish ourselves in the practice and understanding of Christian Science that, as Paul expresses it, we may be "rooted and grounded in love."

But, the earnest inquirer is likely to ask, how can I know what the truth is? How can I know that Christian Science is the truth about God when there are so many religions and so many denominations all claiming to teach the truth? Jesus answered this question when he said, "By their fruits ye shall know them." The life of every genuine Christian Scientist is proof of his knowledge of the truth. As the one born blind could emphatically declare when he was healed, "One thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see," so every Christian Scientist can say in the face of all opposition, One thing I know, I was sick, and Christian Science healed me; or, I was addicted to certain bad habits, and Christian Science enabled me to overcome them; or I was burdened with poverty and debt, and the burden was lifted by Christian Science. Experiences like these, oft repeated in the lives of many Christian Scientists, are the proofs positive that this Science is the truth that bears the "fruit of the Spirit."

To establish one's self on the sure foundation of knowing is to be equipped to achieve the fullness of life. It is to have dominion, and to stand unshaken as the elements of earth beat in vain against Truth's immortal parapets. This is the great achievement which, as we realize it more and more, will bring the kingdom of God on earth. Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 84), "If this Science has been thoroughly learned and properly digested, we can know the truth more accurately than the astronomer can read the stars or calculate an eclipse."

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