Editorial June 26, 1926 Issue

Spirit or Matter?

Albert F. Gilmore

The words of Christ Jesus to Nicodemus, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit," seem to imply the existence of two kingdoms, the one spiritual, the other material. The Master knew, however, better than any other who ever lived, that only the spiritual is real; and, moreover, again and again he utilized his understanding of the all-power of Spirit to destroy the claims of matter, a task manifestly impossible were the seeming material universe as real as the spiritual. The lesson which Jesus conveyed to the credulous Pharisee emphasized the necessity of transforming thought from a material to a spiritual basis, in order to arrive at Truth and to demonstrate that Truth is operative in human experience.

Christian Scientists are aware that one's character and habits are the result of one's thinking. The good thoughts which one cherishes will find expression in good deeds; and one in whom good thoughts predominate will be adjudged of good character. On the other hand, if one's thoughts are evil, one's actions will partake of the qualities of evil, and one's reputation will be correspondingly bad. It is in explication of this theme that Mrs. Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 270): "Mortals think wickedly; consequently they are wicked. They think sickly thoughts, and so become sick." And she offers the perfect remedy for this condition in a brief sentence: "If sin makes sinners, Truth and Love alone can unmake them." Truth and Love, that is, God, is the antidote for the false thinking which ultimates in sick and sinning mortals.

Our need, then, is to lay hold of this understanding of Truth and Love in such a manner as will enable us to utilize divine power in the destruction of whatsoever is false in consciousness. The necessity of supplanting erroneous beliefs with spiritual Truth applies not alone to those thoughts which find expression in sin and sickness, but also to every phase of belief which contemplates existence from a material basis. A Christian metaphysician, that is, a Christian Scientist, having learned of the seeming power of thought in determining the trend of our lives, is fully aware of the necessity of planting himself squarely on the basis of Spirit, of abandoning so far as possible the old landmarks of materiality, and of gaining the promised land of spiritual Truth, where abide only God and His ideas, which constitute perfect man.

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June 26, 1926
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