Article January 1, 1949 Issue

TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF

RALPH W. CESSNA

The beginning of New Year is traditionally, though often humorously, regarded as a time to turn over a new leaf, an opportunity to forswear evil practices. The urge behind this gesture is a natural one. The desire of humanity for freedom from inharmony is coupled with an often hopeless wish for removal of the seeming influence of past mistakes, and for a fresh start. It sometimes appears hopeless because of the erroneous belief that mistakes are real and that their effect continue to influence one's freedom to think and act rightly.

Christian Science, however, shows that it is always possible at any time to start over, that is, to set out anew on the quest for spirtual understanding and resulting health and happiness. It shows that in reality evil in any form—whether it is sin, disease, or death—being unlike God, must have only suppositional existence. This is so because the Bible makes it clear that God is good, that He made all, and that "behold, it was very good." Thus error, being without entity, has no history and never has been a part of one's experience, except in belief. It follows that the turning over of a new leaf consists of turning to God as All and of recognizing man, one's true spiritual selfhood, as the idea of, and thus inseparable from, God. It involves giving up the belief in evil as fact.

Carrying this logical line of thought still further, the student of Christian Science sees that the past is not a factor in determining whether one may or may not successfully begin anew. Neither is this fresh start limited or influenced by place or person. Nothing but one's own thinking could affect the opportunity for and the success of this endeavor.

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