Editorial May 6, 1944 Issue

Evil's Will or God's—Which?

Paul Stark Seeley

Most mortals like to have their own way. Some are determined to have it, whether or no. "Peggy has a whim of iron," said Oliver Herford of his wife. What Peggy thought of Oliver is not recorded! An infant, even before he talks, often indicates that he wants his way just because he wants it. This tendency, unless corrected, goes on developing, and in later years becomes a problem to others and to himself. It leads into many pitfalls, wrecks careers, jeopardizes homes, and plunges nations into fratricidal war.

A young serviceman recently was in my office. He is serving as a nurse in a medical unit, and has the care of men who are having mental difficulty. I asked him what appeared to be the chief cause of their trouble. To my surprise he said: "Most of them have broken down on maneuvers. They are the men who have always had their own way. They have never learned the value of humility, self-discipline, and obedience. When they find themselves where they have to do what they are told to do, they can't take it, and they break. It seems to be their only way out."

Just what is this thing we call will? It is, I believe, best defined by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 597) thus: "Will. The motive-power of error; mortal belief; animal power." Then she gives the definition of will in its true, spiritual meaning: "The might and wisdom of God."

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