Article February 16, 1924 Issue

Identity and Individuality

LONGLEY TAYLOR

Every person has his own problems to solve. It is comforting sometimes to feel that we are all in the same boat, so to speak, with the same lie confronting us, the same belief in the "lust of the flesh" to be overcome to which Mrs. Eddy refers on page 584 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" as that "which saith: 'I am life and intelligence in matter.'"

In myriad multiplications of itself, based upon this one primal argument, evil, the lie, is constantly changing its appearance as a kaleidoscope shifts its colors,—its arguments seemingly more effective when they appear under the guise of novelty. To one appeals the "look at me" of vanity; to another the "I possess" of pride; while a third is caught by the "I am" of egotism. The indulgence of one or more of these three foolish children of the devil temporarily appears to overshadow the spiritual truth and beauty of identity and individuality with an inevitable tower of Babel. Sometimes it seems as if this tower is compelled to fall with a crash before we can be awakened to the illusion of the claim of "I am life and intelligence in matter."

Arguing in the future of advanced ideas is another great temptation. It appeals to the intellectual egotist, and would have him disregard the present need in the speculation of to-morrow, thus identifying him with the forces of evil which would deny the necessary education of to-day through the ways and means of organization provided by our beloved Leader, and safeguarded in the Manual of The Mother Church. Dwelling longingly or morbidly with the past is yet another form of dissatisfied egotism. It can be very plainly seen that all these erroneous conditions of thought have self as the center of attraction; whereas an honest endeavor to do the best we can, with the understanding we have, will prepare us to receive more and carry us into the vineyard of our Father, where the work of individually being and doing good will gradually reveal our identity as at-one with spiritual Being.

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