Editorial March 28, 1931 Issue

Confidence

Duncan Sinclair

The Christian Scientist has great confidence in his religion. The reason is that he is convinced that Christian Science tells him the truth about God and His creation, thus enabling him to distinguish between Truth and error, between the real and the unreal. Writing on page 368 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy says, "The confidence inspired by Science lies in the fact that Truth is real and error is unreal." As the revelation of the nature of God as infinite Truth is grasped, there is no difficulty in accepting the conclusion that error is unreal. The experience of all who become Christian Scientists is that whereas before they understood its teachings they were undecided as to the nature of real being, now they are certain about it; and besides, they are satisfied with the explanation these teachings give them of their human experiences.

Furthermore, the Christian Scientist has confidence in his religion because he finds it practical: he can demonstrate its teachings. Thus, Christian Science having made known to him the truth that God is good—infinite good—and that, consequently, the opposite of good—evil—does not exist as reality, he is enabled to deny evil. And this means that he is scientifically empowered to heal that which mortals call disease. When one has experienced the healing of sickness in this manner, it is impossible not to have confidence in the religion which has made it possible. And with every additional healing brought about by spiritual understanding, one's confidence increases.

How important is confidence in Truth! Without it how could we find it possible to begin to replace erroneous beliefs with true thoughts or ideas? Moreover, our success in demonstrating the truth is in proportion to our faith in it. Since confidence in Truth is of such value, how shall we endeavor to increase it? The way is through prayer. And how shall we pray aright? Mrs. Eddy answers the question on page 15 of Science and Health, where she writes: "In order to pray aright, we must enter into the closet and shut the door. We must close the lips and silence the material senses. In the quiet sanctuary of earnest longings, we must deny sin and plead God's allness."

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Among the Churches
March 28, 1931
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