Editorial May 29, 1909 Issue

THE OVERCOMING OF EVIL

Annie M. Knott

The dominant theme in the New Testament is overcoming, and in St. John's revelation it reaches a grand climax in the words, "There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." How often did we read these words in days gone by, and catch a glimpse of the glory of spiritual being,—its absolute freedom and perfect joy,—but always with the belief that this heavenly state could be reached only through death. It was, however, well worth while to hold for even a few brief moments a concept of painless and sinless being, and it is important to note that one never thinks of this great good as anything which may be gained and then perchance lost. No! the permanence of good speaks for itself when the spiritual vision appears, and spiritual sense responds with a fervent endorsement of its reality and eternality.

In a recent article on "Miraculous Healing," by a noted religious teacher, we read: "The diseases of the age outstrip the medicine of the age, and, fast as science moves, the ailments incidental to an overstrained time with an unhinged faith move faster still." The writer follows with a fervent prayer that the church "might lift the load, part the gloom, and soothe the agony that rend the heart and rack the frame; that she might allay the human pain which now is felt to pierce human compassion as never before." Then he says, "Yet, by the revealed will of God Himself, there is but one sound and sure way to that power at last. ... When the last sin has vanished, we shall be able to make the last woe cease."

Christian Scientists will all agree with the statement that "there is but one sound and sure way" by which divine power can be made available in human need, and St. John tersely expresses it when he says in the chapter already quoted, "He that overcometh shall inherit all things,"—not he that believeth, or prayeth, but he that "overcometh." It would seem that all advanced thinkers must agree that this overcoming can mean nothing less than the triumph of the spiritual over the material, for none, surely, would question that in the vision of the Apocalypse the last trace of materiality had vanished into the nothingness whence it sprang; there was no more pain, sin, sorrow, or death.

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