Editorial March 1, 1924 Issue

On Keeping the Faith

Albert F. Gilmore

Few Biblical characters have left behind a more inspiring record than the great Apostle to the Gentiles. So firmly did Paul hold to his course, when once convinced of the truth of Jesus' teachings, that he stands out from the gospel pages a shining example of fidelity and devotion to his ideals and convictions, even under circumstances which might have overwhelmed one less completely clad in the armor of Christian faith. Wherever the worth of Christian steadfastness and inspiring faith is recognized, Paul's character is admired, respected, and loved.

Full of years, and rich in experience, in a letter to his beloved Timothy, with a show of gratitude for his ability to withstand the wiles of evil so long arrayed against him, Paul declared, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith;" and in the following verse he expressed his assurance that his reward from "the Lord, the righteous judge," would be ample. Manifestly, Paul recognized what Mrs. Eddy expresses in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 29): "Great is the reward of self-sacrifice, though we may never receive it in this world." Whenever great men and women, guided by a pure idealism, have held unselfishly to a course wherein they conceived their duty to lie, almost invariably, sooner or later, their motives have been understood and their deeds have won the approbation and gratitude they deserved. The noble and heroic have elicited admiration and applause although such worldly recognition too often has been delayed until the one whom it would honor had passed stage of human affairs. Devotion to one's highest sense of right in itself is worthy of commendation: when one's devotion is directed to the support of a trutly worthy cause, he may well, like Paul, be assured of his righteous reward, even though it be delayed.

In reviewing the career of former President Wilson, our attention is centered upon that fine idealism which so inspired him as quite to encompass his whole desire and action. To few has it been given to direct so great a crusade in humanity's behalf; and even though it did not succeed in the degree its leader had desired, yet it marks an era in the world's progress toward that "unity ... in the bond of peace" which will ultimately be realized in the demonstration of the brotherhood of man. Like Washington and Lincoln, Wilson led his country in a time of great crisis. In less degree, perhaps, than with his predecessors, he saw his ideals realized; yet the seeds of a union between the nations have been sown, and such as have fallen on the good ground of receptive hearts will in the years to come germinate and bear much fruit, even an hundredfold. However unwise one may believe an immediate union of the nations to be, or however impractical one may regard any specific plan which has been proposed for the consummation of such unity, yet it seems that none who are truly inspired by the teachings of Christ Jesus in their full significance can fail to applaud the effort to which this modern crusader gave impulsion. His was a Christian faith, founded upon firm conviction.

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