Editorial November 6, 1954 Issue

RIGHT REFUTATION

Helen Wood Bauman

Human beings are often in the position of needing to refute their opponents. They are likely to attempt refutation by means of self-justification, protests, recrimination. But Christ Jesus employed a better self-defense. Mary Baker Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 18), "Jesus acted boldly, against the accredited evidence of the senses, against Pharisaical creeds and practices, and he refuted all opponents with his healing power."

Healing power not only gives proof of an individual's spiritual status, but also destroys opposition to good. On one occasion, when the Pharisees and chief priests sent officers to take the Master, they returned from their mission without him, saying (John 7:46), "Never man spake like this man." One can scarcely fail to link the conversion of Saul of Tarsus with the prayers of the Christians whom he persecuted. Their prayers must have been actively refuting false estimates of Christianity.

Evil impulses lose their motive power in the presence of such Christly thought. They cease to claim action or even existence when the Christ is understood. The accusations of so-called mortal mind weaken and become silent before the power of spiritual devotion and understanding.

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