Article December 24, 1938 Issue

None Else

MABEL J. ANSON

The Scriptural declaration, "I am God, and there is none else," affirms God's completeness. What a comprehensive presentation of God's allness is given in the definition of God in the Glossary in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy! It reads (p. 587), "The great I AM; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal; Principle; Mind; Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence." Since God is All and everywhere, what is His supposed opposite but an illusion of material sense? Since God is Spirit and the only creator, His creation is not matter-bound, but partakes of the substance, joy, and freedom of Spirit. The I AM negatives any claim of aught else than unbounded spiritual consciousness, the reflection of divine Mind. "There is none else." There is no space for the illusion of materiality to occupy.

Jesus, the Way-shower, bequeathed to us a sure pattern of protection against the "elses"—the supposed additions to God, infinite good, which would beguile mankind and impose their assumed authority. During his forty days' temptation in the wilderness, he met each statanic overture with, "it is written," quoting his defense from the wise and inspired counsel of seers and prophets found in the Scriptures. So completely was the adversary routed that, "behold, angels came and ministered unto him." Thus did Jesus exemplify the power of knowledge of the Word of God, obedience thereto, and loyalty to his heavenly Father to deliver from temptation. Be it a big or a small "else" trying us, the way to challenge its pretensions is clear, and our reward will be in proportion to our fidelity.

In "No and Yes" Mrs. Eddy says (p. 30), "God's law is in three words, 'I am All;' and this perfect law is ever present to rebuke any claim of another law." By keeping this divine law foremost in our thoughts, we become expert in detecting the claims of error. We delight in this ever-present law day and night, and are blessed with assurance. We become so aware of God's allness by constantly, not spasmodically, dwelling thereon, that the supposed addition of something "else" than God is seen as mere presumption, unable to deceive, notwithstanding its frequent changes of disguise. We need not necessarily study the disguises, for in proportion as we learn God's law thoroughly the impostors are easily detected and cast out. Resentment and its retinue—outraged sensibilities, condemnation of others, and self-justification—may spring as a defiant "I am something besides God, good." To divine Mind there is no resentment. Listening to Mind's affirmation, "I am All," and realizing the perfection of the infinite Mind, God, we are freed from the erroneous incitement of resentment. Just so may lack, injustice, hate, sickness, and other baneful suggestions trying to insinuate themselves into our consciousness, be thwarted and eliminated from our experience.

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