Article June 17, 1944 Issue

Not Absorbed, but Absolved

GLADYS C. GIRARD

Those beginning the study of Christian Science may believe that they will lose something, perhaps what they consider a very valuable asset to their well-being and progress, namely, personality and the material sense of being; or that in some mysterious way they will become absorbed in Deity. Per contra, by revealing man's eternal individuality, an understanding of Christian Science brings to the student a strength, an ability, a purpose, a sense of power never known before.

In a very enlightening letter written to a clergyman by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, are these words (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 119), "In Science, we learn that man is not absorbed in the divine nature, but is absolved by it." A dictionary definition of "absolve" includes "to set free, or release." Now, is not this just what tired, frustrated, confused humanity is assiduously seeking?

Christian Science takes nothing away. Rather does it restore one's birthright of dominion, limitless liberty and ability; it brings freedom from materiality, with all its restrictions. The inspired prophet Joel glimpsed this divine status and its restoration centuries ago: "And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil. And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmer-worm." What are these varied worms but the multiple phases of mortal mind, which, until enlightened by Christian Science, mortals to a great degree accept as inevitable, or, shall we say, as natural components of their being. Let us list a few of them: limitation, fear, hurry, lack, worry, envy, jealousy, self-importance, and so on. Is there anyone who could truly desire to hold on to such?

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