Editorial September 24, 1949 Issue

FROM FEAR TO FREEDOM

Robert Ellis Key

A Lesson that must be learned by every student of Christian Science is to meet and master his problems where he is and not to run away from them. Fear would sometimes argue otherwise. Sin and disease can often be analyzed in terms of fear, and it is the leading and governing fear, and not a physical condition, which must primarily be dealt with. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy writes (pp. 391, 392), "Fear is the fountain of sickness, and you master fear and sin through divine Mind; hence it is through divine Mind that you overcome disease." Fear can be faced boldly when it is realized that man is the reflection of the divine Mind, and not the outcome of the carnal mind, or sensuality.

Fear is sometimes latent in thought; hence the need of constant watchfulness. It is folly to allow a latent fear to remain in consciousness once its presence is detected. It is like knowingly retaining a dishonest servant who may at any moment abscond with one's most cherished possessions. Mindful of this fact, the student of Christian Science recognizes the value of self-examination. The leading or governing fear must be deprived of its seeming leadership and government. This is accomplished by enthroning the divine Mind as governor and thus dethroning the carnal mind.

We cast out fear through Love— not the love of a person, or indeed the love of any thing, but impersonal, spiritual love, which stems from the Love that is God, the "perfect love" to which the Apostle John referred when he wrote, "Perfect love casteth out fear."

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