Editorial November 13, 1937 Issue

"Beauty, grandeur, and utility"

Violet Ker Seymer

Referring to the beauties of nature, Mrs. Eddy writes (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 86), "Even the human conception of beauty, grandeur, and utility is something that defies a sneer." Christian Science presents the essence and substance of the beauty which is only glimpsed through nature. The instant thoughts and feelings clamor for admission we should see whether they offer us "beauty, grandeur, and utility." All will agree that thoughts of suffering or worry are neither beautiful nor grand. But, some may ask, is not evil indirectly valuable in that it obliges us to rise above it? Has it not a certain utility?

Should we accept this subtle argument of mortal mind, we should open the door to perpetual conflict and to growth by suffering instead of by Science. "Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" Jesus asked, and he further pointed out that "a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." It is consistent with highest Christianity that we should look for our spiritual growth not to the thorns and thistles of human experience, but to the superabundance and ever-presence of "good fruit."

If tempted to regard evil as indirectly useful, we should remember that when it cannot deceive us under its own name, evil makes its approach in the name of good. If we were to admit into our consciousness some discord presenting itself in the name of utility, we might say that fear, for instance, has its uses. True, fear may turn us more eagerly to divine Love as our means of escape. But love, not fear, is God's way of salvation. Real beauty and grandeur are primal, eternal. They are not won by fear and suffering, but by conscious sonship with "the Father of lights." Purely spiritual and unconditional blessings come to our recognition through the infinite goodness of God revealed in Christian Science.

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