Editorial March 12, 1927 Issue

Demonstration Individual

Albert F. Gilmore

On page 104 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy states, "In Science all being is individual; for individuality is endless in the calculus of forms and numbers." Being is expressed in distinct and separate ideas, each idea having its own individuality and identity, each continuously unfolding its divine qualities, and each with its own part to perform in the divine economy. Identities never coalesce, never lose their individuality, for identity is as eternal as the Father-Mother God, the infinite Being who finds expression in spiritual, individual ideas. Similarly, in the realm of material belief, each mortal seems to possess qualities which constitute his personality and identity and distinguish him from his fellows; and each mortal retains these personal qualities until by transformation through the Christ, Truth, man's true selfhood appears.

Paul was emphatic in his declaration that each has to make his own demonstration of spiritual progress, that each must win his own way into the kingdom. "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling," was his admonition. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Each, through the ministry of the Christ working in human consciousness, is to put off the false material beliefs—the seeming—which constitute personality, and gain the spiritual concept which reveals man's true identity as the son of God.

The necessity for individual demonstration, then, is fundamental, and the obligation which attaches to each to work out his own salvation precludes the possibility of its delegation to another. Mortals, however, disregarding the rights of the individual, sometimes undertake to control the thoughts and acts of others, even presuming wholly to direct another's course. This hinders in each the demonstration of his true individuality and interferes with man's divine rights, thus retarding spiritual growth.

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