Editorial December 31, 1927 Issue

Repentance and Time

Albert F. Gilmore

The Christian Scientist learns that the concept of time, that is, duration, pertains only to the material sense of creation; that it has no relation to God and His universe, which exist forever in what may be termed the spiritual now, entirely apart from the limitations of time. Time relates wholly to the material universe, so called, every belief of which has a supposititious beginning, existence, and end within the limits of time. It is in view of this that Mrs. Eddy gave "matter" as a definition or synonym of "time" on page 595 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." Matter and time, then, are associated with the false creation, having no relation whatsoever to the true universe and its ever present now.

Further enlightenment on this subject is received from our Leader's association of "mortality; space for repentance," with the definition for "year" (Science and Health, p. 598), "A solar measurement of time." The association of year with repentance brings before us the custom of looking upon the New Year as a special occasion for repentance, for reviewing one's career, for examining one's mental status, and, after proper analysis of one's thoughts and deeds, for resolving to undertake to improve one's thinking in order to conform more nearly to his highest sense of righteousness. However far below one's ideals accomplishment may fall, without question the honest recognition of the need for reform, the conviction that one's thought and acts have not conformed to the perfect model, and the determination to do better, to strive for the realization of higher ideals, are the beginnings of repentance, and hence are cause for rejoicing; for in themselves they are productive of some degree of regeneration.

Analysis of our thoughts is the first step; and this analysis cannot be complete unless comparison be made with a true standard. The pattern showed in the mount and exemplified in the life and teachings of Christ Jesus is the safe criterion. Then arises the question, How may our thinking be made to conform more closely to this perfect stadard? Answer to this involves much; by keeping the Commandments, by observance of the Golden Rule, loving our neighbor as ourself, abiding as did the Master in the sure sense of God's presence and omnipotence—in short, it involves the whole problem of what we are accepting as reality. Are we holding to God and the spiritual creation as infinite and as All? Or do we accept the momentous truth about creation revealed in Christian Science only in part, while at the same time we give partial recognition to material claims as reality and substance?

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