Editorial October 22, 1932 Issue

"The Spirit of adoption"

Violet Ker Seymer

Even in their own homes many human beings feel oppressed by a nameless loneliness which no human companionship can fully solace. Whether in want or in luxury, some have the sense of being adrift, unwanted. They may even be conscious of an undefined, mute longing for what St. Paul touchingly describes as "the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." In God's creation none are superfluous, none are forgotten, because infinite Love, with its infinite tenderness, enfolds and cherishes every spiritual offspring.

In order then to feel within himself the blessed adoption of Spirit, the human being must learn that he has the divine right and ability to express the qualities of Spirit and to cease expressing evil. His character and his daily life must give evidence of his sincere desire for spiritual adoption. On page 183 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy says, "Asserting a selfhood apart from God, is a denial of man's spiritual sonship: for it claims another father."

In contrast with his statement about "the Spirit of adoption," Paul adds with emphasis, "Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear." Every hour one can make his choice between material bondage and spiritual adoption. No one has received from God, Truth, any form of bondage. Fear, anxiety, jealousy, sickness, sorrow, and other avoidable evils claim to constitute that material bondage of which spiritual man knows nothing. Why? Because he knows his spiritual origin, and constantly rejoices in the everlasting "Spirit of adoption" with which he is blessed. There is no such thing as spiritual bondage, nor is there such a thing as material freedom. Christian Science enables one to make his choice scientifically between spiritual liberty and material subservience. Freedom in human experience runs exactly parallel with the individual's gain of spiritual understanding.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Items of Interest