Editorial April 27, 1940 Issue

Persistence in the Truth

Duncan Sinclair

The student soon finds that in order to gain an understanding of the Principle and rules of Christian Science, persistence is indispensable. Constant study of the Christian Science textbooks, the Bible and Science and Health, is necessary if he would learn of God and His creation. Besides, persistence cannot be dispensed with in the practice of the rules which he has learned, if he would succeed in the overcoming of the difficulties which beset a mortal sense of existence. Mary Baker Eddy has written on page 457 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," "Christian Science is not an exception to the general rule, that there is no excellence without labor in a direct line."

Christ Jesus did not fail to tell his followers of the value of persistence. In the eighteenth chapter of Luke's Gospel it is recorded that "he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint" (verse 1), following up his words with the parable of the importunate widow, who achieved her end by persistence. And his words just quoted are in consonance with those recorded of him in the eleventh chapter of Luke's Gospel: "I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened" (verses 9, 10). Jesus was inculcating a method of thought, a persistent spiritual effort of thought—prayer through which God's blessing could be obtained. He was telling of the fact that God can be sought and found and His aid secured by rule, even the rule of persistent prayer.

The Master himself was in constant communion with God—Truth and Love. He often withdrew from his friends that this communion might be more intimate. What was the result? Added strength to do the Father's will; greater understanding of God's love for man; renewed power to silence the arguments of the flesh, to overcome the sin and heal the disease which afflicted mortals. Steadfastness, patience, constant loving-kindness and compassion, persistence in the pursuit of his mission of saving and healing mankind—these characterized the life of the great Way-shower.

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