Editorial October 6, 1934 Issue

Necessity

Violet Ker Seymer

The revelation of Christian Science lifts us above gloomy superstition, sanctimonious suffering, or the belief that backward steps prelude forward steps, and vice versa. It reveals God as perpetual good, perpetual power, perpetual harmony, and man as His perpetual witness. It reveals the modes of good, the way of infinite light, the way of eternal spiritual unfoldment.

In revealing to us the creation of Spirit, Christian Science equips us to be consistent thinkers. This revelation of infinite good requires us to acknowledge under all circumstances the unalterable perfection of man and the universe, and to exclude from our consciousness materialistic notions and contrary sense-evidence. It requires us to accredit the scientific record of creation given in the beginning of Genesis and to discredit subsequent misstatements of creation. In short, Christian Science holds out to all humanity the fruit of the tree of Life, and in return demands that it cease plucking the fruit of "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil," which, if a man eat thereof, he shall "surely die." Whoever meets these simple and reasonable requirements of Christian Science finds that divine Love shepherds prodigals safely into the fold of Truth.

As Christian Scientists we are under the necessity of rejecting the subtle suggestion that we must always grow through difficult experiences, through suffering, even through occasional failure. Such a suggestion implies that without encountering discord one cannot grow spiritually; yet growth is in accord with the law of eternal Mind and the mandate of infinite, unopposed good. Error, being egotistic, pleads for its unavoidability, even desirability, its necessity in relation to the overcoming which leads to salvation. Now discord comes upon individuals through ignorance of God, material density, or willful disobedience. Density, disobedience, and discord do not promote spiritual growth: they oppose it. Then to regard them even indirectly as adjuncts to growth and outgrowth would be religious superstition. We grow through mental clarity, obedience, and harmony. Christian Scientists must beware of holding their mental door even slightly ajar for the intrusion into thought of any necessity for sin, suffering, or delayed victories. Divine Mind's messages alone are welcomed by Mind's witnesses.

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