Editorial March 31, 1951 Issue

SIMPLICITY IS A POWERFUL WEAPON

Robert Ellis Key

Profound truths can and should be expressed in simple language. Metaphysics is not dependent for its potency upon long words or involved sentences. The Bible language is simple and often poetical. The beauty of holiness naturally takes form in words that are music to the ear. The words of Christ Jesus, for instance, contain a unique beauty which is like a song. We can detect the poetry of language in such words as these (Matt. 6:28, 29): "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."

As it is with language, so it is with life. The most convincing and satisfying way of life is the simple way. Simplicity is a quality of spirituality. The childlike thought was commended by Jesus because of its simplicity, sincerity, and faith in good. It is not easy for some people to grasp the simplicity of Christian Science because they are perhaps striving to understand the deep things of God before they have grasped the simple ones; before they have come, like little children, to the feet of Jesus.

Why is it that some do not always find it easy to understand Christian Science? Children do not experience this difficulty. They overcome their problems in a simple way and through simple and direct spiritual conviction. Perhaps it is because they come to Christian Science without preconceived notions or religious prejudice. They are not versed in medical theories, or instructed in material psychology, or satisfied with an intellectual human philosophy. These are the weeds which choke the vine and produce a riot of undergrowth in the vineyard. Christian Science flourishes in the soil of simplicity.

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