Editorial August 25, 1934 Issue

Fruitful Inquiry

Violet Ker Seymer

Christian Scientists give supreme place to spiritual inquiry, and by this method see beyond the enigma of material existence and find healing for its discords. Fruitful inquiry rings out in the words of Isaiah, "Thus saith the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me." From Spirit, not matter, inquiry may effectually be made in all that concerns health, intelligence, opportunity, achievement; and this is being increasingly proved in the results of Christian Science practice. This line of inquiry develops spiritual sense, silences material sense, and is fruitful beyond compare. It leads the erstwhile materially-minded individual, the discouraged invalid, the skeptic, to discover in himself hitherto unsounded depths of spirituality, purity, and joy; and this discovery favorably affects his health, his moral status, and his serviceability.

On page 28 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy writes, "The First Commandment, 'Thou shalt have no other gods before me,' suggests the inquiry, What meaneth this Me,—Spirit, or matter?" One who prides himself on insubordination to control, including self-control, is apt to shudder at the thought of having to obey a "commandment," seeing therein restriction instead of liberation. But as this inquiry—Spirit versus matter—is followed up, the intelligent seeker finds himself being freed from the obsession and tyranny of material sense.

Through experience the student of Christian Science discovers the futility of turning away from spiritual truth in order to inquire into the ramifications of evil and to ponder puzzling questions from their own faulty viewpoint and standard. The Christian Scientist needs constantly to watch lest, faced with some apparently big need of overcoming, he should slip into a material line of inquiry. Far better than to seek for the reason of failure in any demonstration, in other words, seek for lie that engenders bondage, is the seeking for an extended knowledge of Truth which begets freedom. "The tree of the knowledge of good and evil" still claims to please the senses, flatter the intellect, and center one's thought on the why and wherefore of unequal opportunity, variable health, obstinate discord. But the loyal inquirer constantly adds to his understanding of what constitutes true health and heritage. He resolves to stay with the premise of perfect God and perfect man, the rock of spiritual understanding which alone rescues humanity from the quicksands of materialism.

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