Article September 26, 1925 Issue

Overcoming Criticism

RALPH C. HOLMES

Not only in daily walks of life, but also in church work, Christian Scientists very often meet and have to deal with criticism. This, unless it be loving and constructive, is preeminently an instrument of the evil or carnal mind.

In the endeavor to make the teachings of Christian Science practical, the student often misinterprets the various admonitions found throughout the Scriptures and the writings of our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy. For example, Paul says, "Reprove, rebuke, exhort;" but too often it is forgotten that he followed those words with the complement, "with all longsuffering and doctrine," which we, as Christian Scientists, cannot afford to overlook. In the Manual of The Mother Church (p. 40), under the caption "A Rule for Motives and Acts," Mrs. Eddy says, "In Science, divine Love alone governs man; and Christian Scientist reflects the sweet amenities of Love, in rebuking sin, in true brotherliness, charitableness, and forgiveness." One may set out to put into practice his concept of this rule of Christian Science with a "zeal ... not according to knowledge," only to find that, not having true humility himself, he is actually more in need of reproof than the one whom he is seeking to reprove. For it is true that a reprover without humility in his own thought is in grave danger of becoming contemptible. True humility is a state of consciousness that instantly recognizes the unreality of this phase of carnality, and separates it from any act or thought of the individual—God's child. This scientific mental work puts error on the outside of true thinking or acting, on the part of either the criticizer or the one criticized. Thus error, having no one to believe in it, fades and dies for want of sustaining thought.

The student learns valuable lessons during times when he finds himself placed under the authority of some one manifesting harsh and cruel criticism, and maintaining autocratic rule over subordinates. Under such circumstances the Christian Scientist will not strike back with weapons which are of carnal origin; but with the application of scientific thinking to the problem, he soon rejoices to find that evil is being gradually exterminated, and in a manner that brings immediate blessings.

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