Editorial January 5, 1924 Issue

Power to Think Rightly

Duncan Sinclair

It is not uncommon for the Christian Scientist to experience the temptation to believe in the fallacy that he is impotent before evil. He may be going along his way rejoicing in his immunity from the assults of evil, feeling as if he is so firmly established in his understanding of the allness of good that nothing can move him, that nothing can upset the steadfast poise of his spiritual balance, when suddenly some phase of evil belief crosses his path, and if he be off guard the attack may go home, causing him to believe that he is unable to think rightly; that evil has become too strong for him, even perhaps to the extent of making him believe he is no longer able to continue his affirmations of the allness of good.

Such a temptation comes at times to one and all. The spiritual vision of the perfection of God and man grows dim; and in its place there seems to appear a blurred sense of existence, all out of focus, and possibly teeming with false, fearful, irrational images of thought. When that happens, despondency, aye, even despair, may for a time haunt the chambers of thought. The student must be alert; must ever be on the watch to guard against the intrusion of every belief of evil, refusing it entrance over the threshold of his consciousness; for, unless this be done, it may take not a little effort to eject the unworthy disturber of his peace.

Should error have been admitted and seem to have become part of one's consciousness, what should be done? Is one to sit brooding as in the other darkness? Is he to remain in a state of condemnation over the folly of his lack of vigilance, deeming it necessary to endure a certain amount of affliction for his mistake? Error wishes for nothing more than to witness despair and self-condemnation holding their victim in their paralyzing clutch. But to remain under any form of evil belief is unscientific; no law of God supports it; and no one need submit to its thralldom. Why? Because man—the real, spiritual selfhood of us all—is under the government of God's law; and under that government we are able to think rightly and to act rightly.

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"The high goal"
January 5, 1924
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