Article March 17, 1923 Issue

Firm Foundation

HELENA VICTORIA BURNESS

In "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 105) Mrs. Eddy writes, "On our Master's individual demonstrations over sin, sickness, and death, rested the anathema of priesthood and the senses; yet this demonstration is the foundation of Christian Science." Before attempting to build, it is always necessary to make certain that the foundation is firm and reliable. This is true of all building, whether it be the practical building of a material structure or the building of character.

The first account of building given in the Bible is that of the tower of Babel; and in studying this short story, it is interesting to note that no mention is made of a foundation. In Genesis we read, "Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth." In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 262) Mrs. Eddy writes, "The foundation of mortal discord is a false sense of man's origin." This story of the attempt to build the tower of Babel is typical of all mortal mind's purposes. Its motive, which may be taken as the hypothetical foundation on which there was an attempt to build, can be traced to the desperate effort of mortal mind to "make us a name." When one realizes man's true origin and has, as his motive for building, only the glory of God, then no confusion can come in to stop growth and progress in accordance with the law of God.

It is, therefore, absolutely essential for us to see that our building is on a sure foundation. Jesus, the wise master builder and Founder of Christianity, recognized this and impressed it upon his followers. He said, "Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, ... he is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock." Here, then, is defined the true foundation for all building,—to hear the word of Truth and, having heard it, to demonstrate it.

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