Editorial May 11, 1929 Issue

Humility

Violet Ker Seymer

Christian Science presents the quality of humility as conducive to dominion over evil, never subjection to it, for one who is truly humble seeks to prove the omnipotence of God, good, at all times; seeks, through the recognition that there is but one Mind, to bring "into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." Hence humility and the belief in sickness are seen to be incompatible, for humility accepts as real only the harmony and holiness of God and endeavors to prove that all spiritual gifts, including health, are perfectly and continuously expressed through man, His likeness. Spiritual humility and impurity are likewise incompatible, for humility acknowledges God as divine Principle and is therefore compelled to reject as unreal both the fears and the presumptuous sins of the so-called carnal mind.

On page 354 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy writes, "Experience shows that humility is the first step in Christian Science, wherein all is controlled, not by man or laws material, but by wisdom, Truth, and Love." What student of Christian Science does not long to be divinely controlled every moment of the day? Constantly feeling in one's consciousness the control of Truth and Love affords protection from the mortal assaults of sickness or sin, accident, sorrow, and discord in general. This protection is at the same time a preventive, because it excludes error from thought. Discordant mortal beliefs are now and forever extraneous to Truth. They never touch the real man, God's reflection, for they do not touch God, good. Whatever does not emanate from God obviously is unknown to God; therefore evil is forever excluded from the realm of real consciousness. Through this quality of humility one gains liberation from wrong mental influences, personal domination, subjection to so-called laws of heredity, for humility submits only to the government of divine Principle, Love. It is a listening quality which begets faith, patience, serenity, and courage.

Humility is childlike and care-free. A burdened sense indicates that one is not leaning sufficiently on God as the continuous source of wisdom, intelligence, strength, and true initiative. Similarly, one who gives in to anxiety is troubled because he is depending upon himself and what he believes to be his own qualifications, limited or faulty. Hence humility uncovers anxiety as a phase of mortal egotism and distrust. But pride and fear are ruled out in proportion as humility unveils the coexistence of God and man, and the perfect cooperation between Mind and its ideas. One who is humble trusts not only himself, but also those who, humanly speaking, seem to be his dependents, to the bountiful Mind which creates and preserves all creation. This enables him to fulfill his human duties faithfully, but without anxiety.

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