Editorial February 9, 1929 Issue

"More than conquerors"

Albert F. Gilmore

In the eighth chapter of Romans, Paul sets forth the ground of the Christian's hope in a burst of assurance and of supreme triumph, both inspiring and convincing. He expresses with elation the exalted state of thought to which as a devoted apostle he had attained. Having asked, apparently with no expectancy of answer, who should be able to separate the faithful from "the love of Christ," he specifies the evils—tribulations, distresses, and other perils—which beset mortals, answering the query himself in these words of triumph: "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." He then follows with an enumeration of the evils of human experience, none of which, he asserts, is able to separate the true disciple from God's love, made manifest through Christ Jesus.

Few passages in Paul's many letters breathe a greater sense of triumph, of more complete victory over the claims of evil, however threateningly presented. He had risen out of great persecution into a knowledge of God's love which enabled him serenely and fearlessly to face, even to defy, the besetting forms of evil. What an inspiring example does this citizen of Tarsus, as a thorough convert to the Master's teachings, present of faithful discipleship, the discipleship which commonly results from conviction based upon demonstration! He knew the reward, bestowed in terms of freedom from the restrictive senses, which accrues from the taking of a firm stand on the side of God; from holding unquestioningly to Him who is Life, Truth, and Love.

With Paul, to be a conqueror was to triumph over material sense. To be more than a conqueror was to abide in that exalted sense of harmony and well-being which belongs to the real man, a state wherein struggle is unknown and serenity and peace everlastingly abide. It was to gain and hold to that state of consciousness of which Mrs. Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 506), "The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace." The state of thought which is cleared of material beliefs is no longer cognizant of the clamor of material sense—it is above all sensuous claims, and, being above it, neither is cognizant of it, nor responds to its presentations. It is at peace. It is the state which our Leader describes on page 205 of "Miscellaneous Writings" as the third stage in the process of spiritualization of consciousness. "The baptism of Spirit, or final immersion of human consciousness in the infinite ocean of Love," she writes, "is the last scene in corporeal sense. This omnipotent act drops the curtain on material man and mortality."

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