Editorial January 12, 1924 Issue

Longevity Increases

Albert F. Gilmore

A Recent announcement that the average age of mankind has substantially increased in recent decades exactly corroborates what Mrs. Eddy repeatedly said of the result of conforming human experience to true Christianity, as taught in Christian Science. The prediction now publicly made that the lives of men will increase indefinitely seems possible of realization as more understanding is had of what Life really is. It is certain that as we gain a better understanding of God as eternal Life, and of the Christ as God's ideal truth, the conditions which now seem to restrict earthly experience will disappear, and Life as continuous, eternal, understandable, will appear. Beginning on page 223 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy says, "Longevity is increasing and the power of sin diminishing, for the world feels the alternative effect of truth through every pore."

One concludes, then, that the sure result of the Christ, Truth, gaining an ever larger place in human thought, will be the elimination, item by item, of the erroneous beliefs that have seemed to hold mankind in bondage, until the full understanding of existence as spiritual and eternal is gained,—the evidence of man's continuity and perfection. It is becoming increasingly clear that Christ Jesus drew an exact distinction when he asserted, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Mortals partake of the beliefs of the flesh and, in consequence, assume as real all the instability and impermanency which characterize this sense of existence; but they who gain through spiritual understanding recognition of Life as God, eternal and unchangeable, are building upon the solid rock of Truth.

In the stage of transition through which mankind apparently is passing, thought is being leavened with the new leaven of understanding, and uninterrupted existence is prolonged in proportion to the degree of this spiritual enlightenment. When mortals learn that man as God's reflection expresses continuity of being, even human existence will be prolonged. Only by the acceptance of the lie of material existence as true has mankind convinced itself of the necessity of death; whereas holding firmly to the contrary view that man's life is God, eternal and perfect, will lessen the degree of domination exercised by the so-called physical senses. The corollary of the belief of life in matter is death in matter. The latter will no longer harass mortals when it is learned what Life really is.

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The Love of God
January 12, 1924
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