Editorial September 10, 1938 Issue

Spiritual Qualities Requisite

Duncan Sinclair

The age in which we live is frequently referred to as a mechanical age. By this is meant that among civilized nations machinery is being used to a great extent in the manufactures, having in numerous instances displaced what is called hand labor. The effect of this mechanization has been to accentuate greatly the value of physical force in the thought of people generally. So much so is this the case that one might be tempted to think that many are well-nigh oblivious of the existence and value of spiritual power.

However much physical force may appear to be in evidence, nevertheless, the belief that it predominates over spiritual power is erroneous. While it is true that industry has been greatly mechanized in the last half century, it does not follow that moral and spiritual power has been dethroned. The truth rather is that the physical force represented by machinery is kept under control—regulated—by moral and spiritual qualities. Remove from a single industry faith, perseverance, patience, trustworthiness, honesty, and good will, and the industry would go to ruin, and its machinery along with it, rusted and useless. The modern world is undoubtedly utilizing mechanical power as never before, but this so-called power remains subject, definitely subject, to that which will always be its master—spiritual qualities of thought.

But while this is so, there is need that the thought of mankind should be spiritualized to a degree far greater than it is at present, and that they should be aware of the necessity for this greater spiritualization. Consider the reason for this requirement. First of all, through it men will better understand God, Spirit, and be better able to form an estimate of His power—spiritual power—as distinguished from so-called material force. After stating how Spirit is apprehended, in the words (Retrospection and Introspection, p. 28), "I had learned that thought must be spiritualized, in order to apprehend Spirit," Mrs. Eddy continues. "It must become honest, unselfish, and pure, in order to have the least understanding of God in divine Science." It is thus apparent that although a measure of spirituality is found among men, animating and sustaining their activities, pure spirituality must be progressively attained in order to ensure a clearer apprehension of Spirit and a better appreciation of spiritual power in all the affairs of mankind.

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