Article May 27, 1972 Issue

Poor In Spirit?

HARRIET BACON ALLEN

When Christ Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven," ^{Matt. 5:3;} he may well have been referring to those who are humble in spirit and aware of their need for more spirituality. Lack of egotism and of dependency on matter are rich blessings. Humility is certainly a factor in spiritual growth. Mrs. Eddy writes in Miscellaneous Writings, "Experience shows that humility is the first step in Christian Science, wherein all is controlled, not by man or laws material, but by wisdom, Truth, and Love." ^{Mis., p. 354;}

To the Christian Scientist, humility means having a strong backbone of truthfulness and courage to move against popular opinion and the evidence of the physical senses. Everywhere evil tendencies and material laws appear to limit manhood. Strength to battle the discordant currents of human thought fails until humility causes thought to bow before the control of God—of wisdom, Truth, and Love. To demonstrate God's control is to prove that matter and evil are unreal and powerless because God's universe and man are spiritual and perfect.

When thought does acknowledge and express God's control, it demonstrates His all-power, all-presence, and all-science. These are demonstrated in outward and actual improvement in human affairs. Christ Jesus' life is the perfect example. He demonstrated the absolute control of harmonious good right where sin, sickness, and death appeared to be. Although his demonstrations infuriated the proud scribes and Pharisees—the self-righteous and narrow-minded of his day—their fury could not find him.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Poem

TO A CAPTIVE WHO FREED HERSELF