Editorial November 26, 1932 Issue

Standing Firm for the Right

W. Stuart Booth

Many sermons have been delivered by Christian ministers, many articles have been written by moralists, and deep emotion has been felt by Bible students over the thricerepeated denial of Christ Jesus by Simon Barjona, the night before the crucifixion. This denial came in spite of the fact that the zealous and impetuous one had received special attention in the Master's instructions to his disciples. But Christ Jesus knew that in order to withstand the storms of adverse and destructive criticism, hateful persecution, and the fears associated with mortal beliefs, one's faith must stand on firmer ground than the shifting sands of human zeal and impulsiveness. It is to Simon's credit that after the day of Pentecost he stood firm as a rock for the Christ, Truth, and thus proved worthy of his new name of Peter, bestowed by Christ Jesus.

The mortal tendency toward instability and vacillation was not peculiar to Simon or to the first century, and students of Christian Science may well be alert to subtle suggestions of error which would, if accepted, mislead them into paths of thought and life which, in effect, constitute denial of the Christ. Although such denials may not be as dramatic as was Simon's, they are liable to be as tragic in their effects upon the one who is thus misled. It is well, therefore, to consider and be alert to some of the satanic suggestions which, mayhap, would attempt to mislead Christian Scientists, present-day disciples of Christ Jesus.

After one has felt the healing touch of divine Love through Christian Science, and has thus experienced somewhat "the glorious liberty of the children of God," he may have an enthusiastic and perhaps almost ecstatic sense of gratitude for his new-found freedom. True gratitude is commendable and Christianly correct, for God's blessings should always be acknowledged gratefully. But there is a fallacious belief that the early enthusiasm and zeal of Christian Scientists must needs wane, and later be revived into a steady flame by winds of adversity. That belief should be denied credence as definitely as any other argument which contradicts God's complete and continuous control. Surely it is well and wise not to wait for the compelling rod of affliction, but to seek the right way and to hold to it with joyous zeal, because one likes it best and because more pleasure is to be found in consistently reflecting divine qualities than in yielding to weaknesses of the flesh. It is better to move onward by the spiritual impulsion of love for good rather than be forced to turn away from material beliefs by the chastisement of the sufferings which attend such beliefs. "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

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