Editorial September 29, 1928 Issue

Spiritual Sense: How Gained?

Albert F. Gilmore

The student of Christian metaphysics becomes convinced that the physical senses, so called, take no cognizance of reality, of the facts of Being, and that consequently they are wholly unreliable witnesses as to man's true status. The statements of this fact which Mrs. Eddy makes are of vast importance, greater, it seems, than we are commonly aware of; for upon our grasp of it largely depends our ability to understand and demonstrate Christian Science, that is, the Science of Life.

On page 493 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" our Leader with unerring directness states the case. "All the evidence of physical sense," she writes, "and all the knowledge obtained from physical sense must yield to Science, to the immortal truth of all things." Why? Because sense-testimony, based upon material belief about man, deals altogether with a false concept of man, with that which has no place in reality and is, in consequence, an illusion, a nonentity. How certain are we, then, that nothing whatsoever of truth about God and man can be gained from this false witness. Convinced of this we ask ourselves, How then are we to learn the truth about man? How are we to acquaint ourselves with God's image, with the real man? Mrs. Eddy answers these questions with a fullness that leaves nothing to be desired.

On page 505 of Science and Health we read, "Spiritual sense is the discernment of spiritual good." Here is a definition at once concise and comprehensive. And what is spiritual good but the infinite good which is God! This infinite good, which is God, has the substance of Spirit: since God is Life, it is eternal Life: since God is Love, it is all-inclusive Love: since God is Truth, it is eternal Truth. Thus spiritual good in the light of this revelation is seen as all-comprehensive; it includes all that exists, all that has reality. To discern this supreme good, then, is the incomparable blessing which falls to the lot of mortals; and discerning it, it becomes theirs in proportion to the fidelity of their vision. Spiritual sense is the means whereby this may become our blessed experience.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

The Way to Heaven