Article June 24, 1933 Issue

Uncovering Error

ARTHUR MAITLAND CROSTHWAITE

THE attention of a student of Christian Science was arrested by the following words of St. Paul found in his letter to the Galatians: "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Consideration of these words brought to thought the subject of uncovering error, which is clearly of great importance in the task of destroying error of any kind. In Christian Science we learn that the uncovering of error is preliminary to its destruction.

What, then, is the purpose and motive of uncovering error? This question our Leader answers as follows on page 453 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "You uncover sin, not in order to injure, but in order to bless the corporeal man; and a right motive has its reward." These words make it clear that the only justification for uncovering a fault is a sincere desire to heal.

Closely allied to the question of motive is the viewpoint of the one who sets out to uncover error. Christ Jesus, our perfect Exemplar, corrected error by his perfect understanding of divine Truth and Love and of the inseparable unity of God and man. His thought never came down to the level of error, and thus he never failed to heal those who came to him for help. The words "ye which are spiritual" postulate the understanding and practice of spiritual qualities as essential in one who would release and restore the seeming victim of any error. Dare we then presume to call our brother to account without first carefully examining our own thought to ascertain whether our understanding of the perfection of God and man is sufficient to enable us lovingly and effectively to destroy the error which, we think, seems to hold him in bondage? If not, should we not hesitate before proceeding to uncover or expose the fault of another? Our Leader is emphatic on this point. She writes as follows (Science and Health, pp. 495, 496): "In the Science of Mind, you will soon ascertain that error cannot destroy error." Spiritual understanding is power, and the prayer of one who desires to free his brother from sin should surely be for more understanding.

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The Kingdom of Heaven
June 24, 1933
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