Article July 20, 1940 Issue

Constructive Spiritual Thinking

HERBERT W. COCHRAN

What is the cause of the poverty, distress, and disaster in the world? Christian Scientists understand that these ills arise from the false belief that life and intelligence are in matter. They also know that the way to cure these ills is to turn thought from the material to the spiritual standpoing; They realize that there is but one Mind, namely, Spirit; hence, that only spiritual thoughts are real.

Christian Scientists realize that spiritual thinking is of first importance in the day's order. To promote constructive thought, they diligently study the Bible, together with "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. Human tasks are not neglected in the daily round; but rather is it found that sufficient time taken for the purpose of positive, constructive thinking facilitates the performance of human duties and procures greater success in their execution. Mrs. Eddy says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 151): "Knowest thou thyself, and art thou acquainted with God? If not, I pray thee as a Christian Scientist, delay no to make Him thy first acquaintance." This the Christian Scientist endeavors to do.

If we are progressing in becoming "acquainted with God," we must be gaining a clearer apprehension of divine Love's benevolent and protective purpose for man. Mrs. Eddy's definition of "Church" reads in part (Science and Health, p. 583), "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle." Ritualism and dogmatism are thus excluded from true worship, which is indeed a thought process. We enter into the meaning of Church through prayer—by dedicating thought exclusively to His service. Our true temple is built not with bricks or granite, but with spiritual thoughts, with faithfulness, sincerity, spiritual vision, and heavenly inspiration. To be in church does not primarily mean a personal presence in a material stucture, but, rather, an abiding "in the secret place of the most High." Spiritual thinking realizes the certain protection of eternal Truth from the vicissitudes of false material sense.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

"The problem of being"