Article February 1, 1930 Issue

The Problem of Being

CONSTANCE HEWARD

There is a problem which humanity has been trying to solve ever since the false belief of a material universe and a material man began—namely, the problem of being. In studying the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, we learn that the reason this problem remained so long unsolved is that humanity did not understand the teaching and life of Christ Jesus. Christian Science is based on the Master's teachings, and so elucidates them that all who desire to do so may put them to practical use in solving the problems of daily living, so taking forward steps in the solution of the problem of being.

Christ Jesus said, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also;" and those who would imitate his life and works must remember that he warned his followers against being "of doubtful mind;" so that it is necessary for the student to have implicit faith in the Master's promises. Thus equipped, he may turn to the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, for guidance; and as this wonderful truth unfolds to him he becomes keenly alive to one great fact, namely, that error of every kind is nothing more than an insubstantial belief, possessing neither reality nor power.

This does not mean that error can be ignored. On the contrary, it must be fearlessly faced and destroyed according to the rules of Christian Science. On page 276 of Science and Health our Leader writes: "Material beliefs and spiritual understanding never mingle. The latter destroys the former. Discord is the nothingness named error. Harmony is the somethingness named Truth." In this nothingness we may include every false belief that claims to operate—sin, sickness, sorrow, poverty, and even death itself; and the unreality of these erroneous beliefs can be seen by turning upon them the light of spiritual understanding.