Editorial February 26, 1927 Issue

"Set your affection on things above"

Duncan Sinclair

Paul's words of admonition "to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ ... at Colosse" often come to the thought of the Christian Scientist in the round of everyday life: "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Out of the fullness of his experience the apostle spoke. For had he not tested the "things on the earth," and found them wanting? Had he not beheld the heavenly vision, and proved for himself the power of the Christ, Truth, to heal, to save, to deliver? He who had been able fearlessly to cast the viper from his hand without any hurt, who had been able to save himself and those who were with him when shipwrecked on the voyage to Rome, who had healed the sick and raised the dead, assuredly had his mind firmly set on the "things above"—the eternal realities.

The purpose of every prophet in Israel had been the same as Paul's—to make known, in so far as their knowledge went, whatever of Truth they understood. This was Christ Jesus' purpose also; and he carried it out in greatest measure because he possessed an understanding of the truth about God and His Christ above all others. Materialism has been the enemy of the spiritually enlightened in every age; and from materialism these enlightened ones persistently sought to deliver their fellow-men, by imparting to them the knowledge they possessed of Spirit, God.

Every thoughtful observer is aware of the markedly material character of the age in which we live. There is the constant roar of commercialism, with the incessant demand upon it to satisfy the material wants of mankind. There is the dark undercurrent of loose moral dealing, having its source solely in materiality. There is the ofttimes overwhelming fear, the frequent sickness, the saddening sense of lack, all of which have their origin in the belief that material existence is real. If one were to look upon the drama of human existence without some knowledge of the "things above," it would be well-nigh overwhelming; but, thanks be to God, many who are not in the least blind to the materiality of the age, have gained a measure of spiritual understanding, and already they can discern signs of the breaking up of the great illusion, and the final victory of Mind over so-called matter.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

Faith in God versus False Responsibility