Article May 26, 1923 Issue

"All things are become new"

HELEN L. BRIDGES

THE habitual daily study of Christian Science illuminates the thought of the student, and enables him to prove what Paul meant when he said, "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind," to which was added the reason for this endeavor,—"that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." And Mrs. Eddy tells us in our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 201): "Truth makes a new creature, in whom old things pass away and 'all things are become new.' Passions, selfishness, false appetites, hatred, fear, all sensuality, yield to spirituality, and the superabundance of being is on the side of God, good."

Very early in the study of Christian Science we discover that there is great room for improvement in each of us. The old standards of right and wrong go down before this new touchstone, which requires of us that every thought be carefully weighed before it is allowed admittance to our consciousness, because we learn that our thoughts determine our actions and govern circumstances for good or ill. Yes, that is all very well, some one perhaps may say; but why, when I am trying to think only good thoughts, does this evil come upon me? The answer to this inquiry must ever be: Look carefully within to see what is being harbored in thought, whether unconsciously or consciously. Is there any resentment because of a disappointment in some chosen life-work? Is there a touch of intolerance because a friend does not advance as quickly or in the way we think he should? Was our pride hurt when a subject dear to us was criticized; or does it, perhaps, still rankle? Do we feel we are being asked to do too much, or to forgive too often? Do we sometimes murmur when the way seems long and the obstacles many and difficult? Then, dear friend, it is time to look away more completely from all that is material, from all that the physical senses seem to tell us, and learn what God is and what our relation to Him is. This, Mrs. Eddy tells us, is "the work of eternity" (Science and Health, p. 3); but the fact should not deter us from making a beginning to acquaint ourselves with God. Step by step, as we earnestly strive to replace wrong thinking with right thinking, with only that which is true, we find that the old, worn-out beliefs drop away, to be replaced by the calm, steadfast assurance that good is the only power, and evil only a supposititious nothing, claiming, usually through fear, to be something.

The first false beliefs we lose are those which are patently obnoxious to us, those we are willing to let go; and it is with a sigh of relief that we find them presenting themselves no more. This is the first and easiest test of our faith. So-called mortal mind is always only too willing to give up that which it calls harmful, disagreeable, or unnecessary. It is the subtle claim of error coming to us in the guise of good, as something helpful, agreeable, or seemingly necessary, that requires a greater sense of God's allness to overcome and obliterate. But even these are vanquished through the proper application of Christian Science, for "all things are possible to him that believeth." As we strive with an honest, sincere desire to dwell "in the secret place of the most High," to know that man is spiritual, and subject only to the spiritual law of God, good, every secret error that would attempt to lurk in our consciousness is brought forth to the light, and destroyed by Truth.

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