Editorial June 10, 1939 Issue

Spiritual Values

Duncan Sinclair

On page 31 of "Retrospection and Introspection" by Mary Baker Eddy, there is a sentence of profound significance. It reads: "The first spontaneous motion of Truth and Love, acting through Christian Science on my roused consciousness, banished at once and forever the fundamental error of faith in things material; for this trust is the unseen sin, the unknown foe,—the heart's untamed desire which breaketh the divine commandments."

Why are the words just quoted of such importance? Because they uncover the fundamental error in human consciousness, namely, the belief that matter is real, and expose the misplaced faith of mortals in matter. They state unequivocally that the faith or trust in matter held by mortals with "untamed desire," subtle and deceiving in that it is utterly opposed to faith in Spirit and spiritual truth, breaks the Commandments. When the error was uncovered to her through the understanding of Truth and Love; when trust in "the unseen sin, the unknown foe,—the heart's untamed desire"—"faith in things material"—had been overthrown, Mrs. Eddy was free to demonstrate the power of Truth over error, and to make Truth known to mankind.

There is great need that men should ponder this deeply today, in order that they may know what is wrong with the world's thinking. What is the basic cause of the inharmony so prevalent in home and business life? What is the cause of the prevailing unrest in civic and national affairs? What is the cause of the anxiety, the paralyzing fear, which at intervals seems to convulse the world over international problems? There is but one answer to all such questions—"faith in things material." It is belief in the reality of matter and faith in matter which give rise to all the falsities of personal sense, with their antagonisms, their avarice, and their greed. Belief in the reality of matter and faith in matter also give rise to narrow nationalistic views, which would frustrate the divine law of brotherhood, thus breaking the First Commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," and kindred commandments.

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