Editorial March 25, 1933 Issue

Overcoming the Resistance of the World

Duncan Sinclair

On page 95 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy writes, "Lulled by stupefying illusions, the world is asleep in the cradle of infancy, dreaming away the hours." It is these "stupefying illusions" with which the Christian Scientist has to contend, and which he has to overcome. And what are they? Primarily, the false beliefs that matter and evil are real and, secondarily, all the erroneous concepts that seem to have their source in these beliefs. We know that this is so because, as Christian Science reveals, God is infinite Spirit, infinite good, teaching which supports every effort of the Christian Scientist to break the illusions of material sense which keep mortals bound to sin and suffering.

Now, not being aware that it is asleep but, rather, believing that its material experiences are real, the world is at variance with those who are knowing the truth and striving to demonstrate it by breaking the dream. In the fifteenth chapter of his Gospel, John records these words of Jesus: "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you." The Christian Scientist has to meet this animosity, sometimes expressed orally, sometimes in the written word, but oftenest mentally. It would make him skeptical of the truth which has so greatly blessed him, and thus deprive him of the power to bless and heal others. It would reverse all his efforts after good, including the bringing of the truth as Christian Science reveals it to his fellow men, that they may be saved from the error they are harboring in their thoughts to their detriment.

But the Christian Scientist is not deceived by the world's belief in the reality and power of evil. He understands that God is the only power, that divine Love is omnipotent, and that evil is unreal and powerless. He can therefore give a denial to enmity, to all that names itself his enemy. How privileged is the Christian Scientist in being able to do this! He who believes in a personal enemy, and that malicious or envious or jealous thoughts have power to hurt him, is in danger of being taken in by the claims of evil and may find himself suffering, perhaps from sickness. On the other hand, whoever knows the unreality of evil in its every form, aware of the ever-presence of God, good, cannot be brought under the mesmerism of error; he remains under "the shadow of the Almighty," protected and at peace.

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