Holding Fast to Spiritual Truth

Duncan Sinclair

ON page 154 of "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy writes: "Pray without ceasing. Watch diligently; never desert the post of spiritual observation and self-examination. Strive for self-abnegation, justice, meekness, mercy, purity, love." What an appeal for watchfulness and endeavor after holiness! And who will say it is not needed? Not the Christian Scientist, for no one knows better than he the constant alertness and prayer that are required to hold thought steadfastly to Truth.

Christ Jesus made an appeal to his followers for watchfulness, similar to that of our Leader, when he said, "What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch" (Mark 13:37). He knew of the temptations which beset mortal existence, the illusions that suggest themselves to mankind in the guise of the pleasures and pains of material sense. But he also understood God's unlimited goodness, and that the devil—evil—is a lie; and he taught these things, warning his followers lest they should fail in watchfulness. It was a theme to which the Master frequently referred, for even his chosen disciples were apt to be deceived by materiality, thus losing their hold on the spiritual truths which he revealed, and which were the very bread of Life to them.

The Christian Scientist is in possession of priceless spiritual truth. All the spiritual treasure of the Bible is his, and, as well, all the spiritual treasure which in these latter days Christian Science has revealed. And he is wise in the degree that he diligently endeavors to understand this truth and to put into practice. One of the greatest of the truths which Christian Science has made known to him is that there is but one real presence and power—God. Understanding this he realizes that good alone has reality and that, in consequence, he can be conscious only of that which is perfect and harmonious.

Christian Science, then, makes known the truths of real being, revealing that good alone is present and has power. But this teaching is opposed by material sense—the carnal or mortal mind—which testifies to the reality of evil, suggesting that because evil appears to exist, inharmony likewise exists in opposition to harmony or good. In this way is the teaching of Christian Science seemingly opposed by the suggestions of mortal mind. But Science, which is divine, declares the absolute truth that in real being nothing exists to oppose that truth. It altogether denies evil and inharmony, wherever they may appear to be and whatever the form in which they may suggest themselves.

The Christian Scientist knows spiritual truth and, being faithful, he is constantly affirming it, either mentally or audibly. As our revered Leader writes (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 146): "The Christian Scientist voices the harmonious and eternal, and nothing else. He lays his whole weight of thought, tongue, and pen in the divine scale of being—for health and holiness." Mrs. Eddy here states the ideal of practice. Her words demand that we hold fast to revealed truth: "The Christian Scientist voices the harmonious and eternal, and nothing else." What a call in her words for "spiritual observation and self-examination" on our part! Whoever would demonstrate harmony and health in his experience must be faithful to spiritual truth, must constantly affirm and realize that truth, that he may attain to an ever-increasing measure of spiritual purity and goodness—holiness.

It is the part of wisdom to hold fast to revealed truth. "Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors," runs a verse in Proverbs (8:34). Sometimes it may not seem easy to hold our thought steadfastly to spiritual truth; but wisdom demands that we do so. Beginners in the study of Christian Science may believe that in this respect they have more than a little difficulty to contend with, for it sometimes happens that at the very outset they encounter opposition. Relatives or friends, lacking spiritual understanding, may attempt to thwart their efforts after spiritual progress. They may array many arguments of mortal mind against the truth, thus suggesting fear. Beginners should therefore be alert, watchful, prayerful. They should constantly turn to God, omnipresent Mind, seeking His aid; they should steadfastly hold to revealed truth. More than that, they should strive to realize Love's allness and the ever-presence of good, so that neither resentment nor bitterness will find lodgment in their thought. Thus will they be protected and their spiritual progress be unimpeded.

Whether the Christian Scientist be a beginner or one who has been a student of Christian Science for a number of years, his aim is spiritual attainment. And this attainment is assured only to the diligent—those who through prayerful study gain an understanding of spiritual truth and hold firmly to it, putting it into practice continually. As it is written on page 309 of "Miscellaneous Writings": "He advances most in divine Science who meditates most on infinite spiritual substance and intelligence. Experience proves this true."

Duncan Sinclair

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