Editorial December 20, 1924 Issue

Ever Present Good

Albert F. Gilmore

A common tendency of mortals is to postpone the experience of good to some future time, while they seem ever ready to accept evil as a present reality. Believing, as they do, in a universe dealing wholly with matter and its phenomena, mortals seem incapable of conceiving that good only is real and permanent, and is possible of present realization. Accordingly, they constantly look forward to a period when, they hope, the limitations and discords incident to human existence may be lessened through some transforming process which they do not now understand, but for the realization of which they yearn. That all of good is ever present, awaiting recognition and acceptance, seems too much to believe, and in consequence of this unbelief there follow the disappointments, distresses, and unhappiness which so commonly characterize human experience.

It seems an anomaly that, while the good which all seek is infinitely present, only awaiting recognition in order to become a reality to all, mortals still persist in believing evil to be real. Because of its nature, it seems easier for the so-called mortal mind to believe in evil than to believe in good. Having nothing in common with good, mortal mind can take no cognizance of it. Of the temporary nature of evil, Mrs. Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 533), "The belief in material life and intelligence is growing worse at every step, but error has its suppositional day and multiplies until the end thereof." It appears, then, that erroneous beliefs will increase until their final disappearance, when good only will be recognized as real.

Christian Scientists know the necessity of overcoming evil in order to demonstrate the all-presence of good. Good does not occupy thought which holds to evil, good's opposite, as real. Since evil is utterly opposed to good, both manifestly cannot be real, else there would be a universe of opposites in constant struggle for supremacy, a situation which would utterly refute the supremacy of God, good.

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