Editorial March 20, 1926 Issue

Honesty

Ella W. Hoag

Much of the world would claim honesty as its natural habitat; for it well knows there is no quality that is held in higher or more universal esteem. Comparatively few fail to recognize that genuineness always carries with it an irresistible appeal. That which is true, that which is what it pretends to be, that which is honest, invariably presents a sense of reliability which brings to all those beholding it a feeling of security. And still the question recurs: How may we learn so to understand and practice honesty that we shall be saved from manifesting dishonesty ourselves or from being betrayed by deceptions in others?

As with all other problems, one must see that the learning to know and practice honesty in ever increasing measure is something that must be brought about in one's own thinking and living. It is in his own consciousness that one must become so thoroughly acquainted with this quality that he will love it sufficiently to exemplify it always and reject its opposite, whether that opposite claims to be presented by all sorts of false allurements coming from within or from without.

To be perfectly honest with one's self demands the spiritual understanding which Christian Science reveals. Without the knowledge that man is the image and likeness of his Maker, the infinitely perfect God, one could not possibly have a correct enough standard to discern what real honesty is. Accepting the invariable standard of perfect God and perfect man, which Christian Science teaches, the Christian Scientist quickly recognizes that honesty makes tremendous demands upon him. He is confronted with the necessity of bringing every thought and word and deed into subjection to the demands of the Christ, Truth, if he is to express perfect honesty.

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