Article December 17, 1927 Issue

The Two-edged Sword

GEORGE H. READ

THE sword, symbol of warfare, has generally been thought of as a weapon of destruction; for whether used in defensive or offensive combat, the prime and oftentimes only purpose of the sword has been to destroy. In the Bible, however, even in recorded times of almost constant conflict between the armed forces of hostile peoples, the sword was recognized by a few enlightened thinkers as capable of serving a twofold purpose for the children of righteousness. The Psalmist, in urging the children of Zion to be joyful, said, "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two edged sword in their hand." And later on the Revelator, in speaking of his vision of the "one like unto the Son of man," said that "out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength."

Like many other treasures of the Bible, the practical significance of a two-edged sword remained almost hidden until Mary Baker Eddy published the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." On page 538 of that work she says, "Truth is a two-edged sword, guarding and guiding." "Guarding and guiding"! What comfort and hope those words contain! To be guarded from all harm and guided into all harmony—should not that supply the sum total of the needs of everyone? But even with the revelation of Mrs. Eddy before us, are we as fully and frequently utilizing both edges of the sword of Truth as she would have us? How often do we find ourselves so busy trying to guard against the so-called power of error to harm us, that we do not allow ourselves to be guided into realizing the provable omnipotence of Truth to bless us, or vice versa! Yet Mrs. Eddy frequently reminds us in her writings that successful practice in Christian Science requires an understanding of both the nothingness of error and the allness of God, good. On page 52 of our textbook she tells us that the cardinal points of Mind-healing, which armed Jesus with Love, were that he "best understood the nothingness of material life and intelligence and the mighty actuality of all-inclusive God, good."

If Jesus found it necessary to use both edges of the sword of Truth in making his demonstrations over sin, sickness, and death, can we expect to be victorious over these same claims with less effort? Is it belief of lack that seems to be resisting one's search for happiness? Whether it is lack of food, clothing, and other physical comforts, or lack of health, strength, or mental peace that is annoying the student of Christian Science, he can know that not only is there no evil power to cause lack, but there is a divine power which is ever supplying abundantly the very good thing which seems to be lacking.

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