Editorial March 8, 1947 Issue

Is Discipline Welcome?

John Randall Dunn

A correspondent writes: "I have been studying Science half of my human existence—the second half. In the first half I was brought up without any discipline to speak of. Even now, with my study of Christian Science, I still have trouble trying to control myself. As I see it, this should have been established before I even entered kindergarten."

The English word "discipline" stems from the Latin discere, meaning "to learn." A disciple, therefore, is a learner; and one dictionary definition of discipline is "a course of exercise and practise in order to bring and keep under control, and to qualify for harmonious and effective action."

Certainly every student of Christian Science early should sense the need of bringing his thoughts under the control of God, the only Mind and Principle of all being, for how else could he hope to realize "harmonious and effective action"? The disciplining of his thinking, a frequent checking of his thoughts, motives, and trends to see if they are in accord with Principle, thus becomes a necessary corollary of a well-rounded Christian experience. And how early should this disciplining be undertaken? Many wise parents will answer, From the moment a child appears to be conscious of his surroundings.

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