Article October 4, 1930 Issue

Spirituality versus Popularity

GEORGE J. SCHANTZ

Today , as always, the tendency of the so-called human mind is to seek the popular way, to imitate, to do as others do. Without pausing to ask the reason or to consider the outcome, new habits of speech, dress, recreation, and the like, are accepted and made a part of everyday experience. Instead, one should challenge the right of erroneous conditions to seem to exist. Oftentimes, neither spiritual thinking nor courage is employed, and mankind drifts aimlessly with the current of popular tendencies.

In the Preface to the textbook of Christian Science, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy makes this statement (p. x): "The author has not compromised conscience to suit the general drift of thought, but has bluntly and honestly given the text of Truth." In thus stating her position in her prefacing of the great volume which for thousands is leading the way from material darkness to spiritual light, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science not only has set forth a striking fact, but has indicated the only basis upon which her mission in behalf of humanity can be fulfilled. Had our Leader yielded to popular opinion, had she "compromised conscience to suit the general drift of thought," her great demonstration would have been impossible.

Mrs. Eddy's writings contain numerous references to the fallibility of following persons rather than Principle, of being guided by popular tendencies rather than by the leadings of divine Mind. On page 228 of "Miscellaneous Writings" she says: "Floating with the popular current of mortal thought without questioning the reliability of its conclusions, we do what others do, believe what others believe, and say what others say. Common consent is contagious, and it makes disease catching." Here even the tendency toward disease is pointed out as one of the results of desultory drifting "with the popular current of mortal thought." Does it not follow that Christian Scientists have both the privilege and the duty to emulate their Leader, taking their individual stand for every upward tendency of the human race? In a measure, at least, every student of Christian Science can say that he has not "compromised conscience to suit the general drift of thought." Up to the fullest extent of our understanding we can cling to the dictates of Mind, and thus check the inclination of mankind generally to be swayed by popular mortal thought.

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