Editorial March 29, 1930 Issue

Rising above Supposition

Violet Ker Seymer

In "Where Art Thou?" on page 332 of "Miscellaneous Writings," Mrs. Eddy thus analyzes the sense of evil: "What was this sense? Error versus Truth: first, a supposition; second, a false belief; third, suffering; fourth, death." In attempting to conquer its difficulties, mankind in general deals only with appearances. The evil of sickness, for instance, it takes note of only when this has reached the third stage of physical discord. In some cases, indeed, the fourth phase of the sense of evil is relied upon as the only way of release from grief or from sickness, and "the last enemy" is greeted as though it were one's last friend.

Even the Christian Scientist must make sure that his denial of error does not start with the second phase of unreality, with "false belief," instead of with its antecedent—"a supposititon." Every member of this quartette of error must be denied. Christian Science is a mental and spiritual preventive, as well as a curative; therefore it deals with the claim of sickness directly it presents itself to thought in the form of suggestion. One should no more allow himself to anticipate sickness than sin, and no thinking person will adopt a lax mental attitude toward either. Righteneousness and health are the inseparable gifts of God to man. With the first whispered fear that he might develop some disease, the Christian Scientist should bar the door of his thought to supposition, suggestion; and he should carry through this work with the utmost conscientiousness, if necessary calling in another's aid to this end. Stoic silence, or a tendency to conceal one's trouble, is not a desirable state to drift into. All that can, in reality, come into manifestation, is more of God, good; for He fills all space and "there is none else beside him." One who knows even a little of Truth is not dismayed either by supposition, false beliefs, or their sequences; for, through the enlightenment of Christian Science, this whole quartette of error can be eliminated from human consciousness.

When Jesus walked across the waves to his disciples, "they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out ... and were troubled." And when, after his resurrection, he came to them through closed doors, uttering those wonderful words, "Peace be unto you," "they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit." In both cases it was supposition that troubled them, their own mistaken mental condition. One who is earnestly studying and applying his knowledge of Christian Science need not be afraid of his mental state, for it is spiritually remediable. How may we completely guard ourselves from entertaining supposition and false beliefs, either consciously or unconsciously? By dwelling upon the fact that all true consciousness emanates from the one Mind, and that Mind's healing ideas can penetrate even the closed doors of reserve and dread, when we sincerely reach out for enlightenment and devote time to acquiring it through prayer and study. Then fear cannot rob us of the Christ, Truth, which is at hand to bless everyone with the "Peace be unto you" of impartial divine Love.

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