Editorial September 7, 1929 Issue

Sincerity

Duncan Sinclair

There are few qualities more worthy than sincerity. Usually when one is referred to as sincere he is regarded as being frank, truthful, virtuous, and honest—a trustworthy, honorable person. In giving Titus directions regarding doctrine and conduct, and asking him to exhort young men "to be sober minded," Paul admonished him to show himself in all things "a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing un-corruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned." In other words, the apostle impressed upon Titus the necessity of making his life a pattern, an example, of true Christian manhood.

How valuable is sincerity! On page 203 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" Mrs. Eddy says, "A deep sincerity is sure of success, for God takes care of it." And no one, surely, will doubt that this admirable quality is based upon an understanding of divine Principle. Suppose the case of one who is lacking in truthfulness and honesty, one who is untruthful and dishonest, or, briefly, one who is insincere. This insincere person takes up the study of Christian Science. He begins to understand God as infinite good, and to know that evil is unreal. He learns, further, that God is infinite Truth, and that the real man reflects God or Truth. As the facts of spiritual being are revealed to him he sees the futility of thinking and doing anything not in accord with divine Principle. What is the result? He turns from sin; his thoughts dwell more fervently on Principle, and inevitably his life conforms to his thoughts, becoming honorable, trustworthy, sincere. He thus attains to a measure of genuine spiritual success.

The student of Christian Science should be conspicuously sincere—one who is above suspicion; honorable, reliable. Duplicity and all underhand methods ought to be anathema to him; integrity should be stamped upon his character. More than that, it should be his endeavor to conform his words and his actions to the standard of Christian Science. What does this mean? It signifies that he will not fail to show forth in his life the love which Christ Jesus said should be given to God and man. Sincerity can be excluded from no part of the Christian Scientist's life. It should be as inevitably associated with it as the leaf with the tree in summer.

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