Editorial September 27, 1930 Issue

True Self-Respect

Violet Ker Seymer

On page 226 of "Miscellaneous Writings" our Leader asks the question, "What has an individual gained by losing his own self-respect?" The answer is found in many a sad human document, for does not experience show that an individual who ceases to respect himself usually loses the respect of his fellows? Straightway the question is presented, What is this self which we are to respect? Is it a sinful mortal? No, it is spiritual man, made and maintained in the image and likeness of God, the one creator. This true individuality which Christian Science enables one to discern and to express uplifts the standard of human thought and action and commands respect.

With that yearning for rectitude which many a one may have felt even in the midst of his weakness, the Psalmist exclaimed: "O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments." When tempted by sin, sickness, sorrow, or any inharmony, let us then ask ourselves, Are these discords entitled to indulgence or respect? Are they in accordance with God's will or directly contrary to it? Will they bring me harmony or inharmony? The wise and scientific way of escape from them is definitely to hold thought to the perennial freedom, purity, health, and joy of spiritual being. This leads in due course to emancipation from all evil, for the good which is mentally entertained is bound sooner or later to come into one's daily experience, and obedience to divine commands always furthers selfrespect.

Mrs. Eddy refers to "a life wherein calm, self-respected thoughts abide in tabernacles of their own, dwelling upon a holy hill, speaking the truth in the heart" (ibid., p. 227). How may we exchange poor mortal ways of thinking and living for these much desired "calm, self-respected thoughts"? How may we maintain right activity and yet escape the fret and agitation of modern living, its overaction and its reaction? How may we conquer false appetites or creaven fears? How may we gain bed-rock sincerity of purpose and carry out our good resolutions? Christian Science assures us that we can abandon evil and accomplish all that is right by claiming man's God-given ability to entertain only right motives and right thoughts. We can side with the right, which is might. We can refuse hospitality to undesirable suggestions and consciously abide in the omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience of Life, Love, Spirit, divine Mind. We can become conscious of God, good, through the true ideas which God imparts. These true ideas are the gauge whereby we learn to become discriminating mental hosts and dominion-loving Christians.

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