Article April 6, 1940 Issue

Freedom from the Unreal

LAWTON B. C. MOFFAT

In the book of Acts there is an account of the experience of Paul and Silas in the inner prison of the jail at Philippi. This inner prison was probably a central cell or dungeon, considered more proof against escape than other parts of the jail.

The thought of prison locks and bars and dungeon walls did not contrive, however, to mesmerize the clear consciousness of these two. So thoroughly did they understand the truth of being that during the silence of the night, instead of indulging in resentment and self-pity, they burst into song. Instead of being depressed and discouraged, their hearts were so filled with gratitude to God that they expressed themselves in songs of praise and thanksgiving to Him.

On page 21 of "Retrospection and Introspection" Mrs. Eddy says, "It is well to know, dear reader, that our material, mortal history is but the record of dreams, not of man's real existence, and the dream has no place in the Science of being." Let us try to understand the meaning of that statement. Let us endeavor to realize that this physical universe, with all its evil, exists only in mortal belief. It is the succession of dreams to which Mrs. Eddy refers, as quoted above. Only by untiring effort can we clear our thought of the mist of these mortal beliefs and break through to the bright daylight of heaven, harmony. We are so apt to become mesmerized by the seeming circumstances, and to accept as real the dread pictures presented by mortal mind, that unless we are constantly alert we shall undergo much unnecessary suffering. A new student of Christian Science may find it difficult at first to accept the thought of the unreality of evil. But even a glimpse of this truth will bring about a great change in his life.

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