SIMPLE ADDITION

Annie M. Knott

As a sort of summation to the Sermon on the Mount, with its infinite promises of good, the great Teacher said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Long before that time the wise man had said, "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it." These statements support the teaching of Christian Science that the divine supply for human need is unlimited, and that no evil ever comes from God,—neither sin, pain, sorrow, nor death.

No professed Christian would question the inspiration of the texts here quoted, but with strange inconsistency many quarrel with the logic of Christian Science in its insistence that these statements are capable of demonstration, and that they are valueless unless demonstrated. Paul says that the mere letter "killeth," while "the spirit giveth life;" but it often happens—so tenacious is human belief—that even those who accept Christian Science retain their old and incorrect views of addition, and yet wonder why all good things are not more quickly "added unto" them. They may be even tempted to believe that "the blessing of the Lord"—the coming of Truth to their consciousness—has subtracted a few things which they would like to retain, but Science, with irresistible logic, brings us back to the Scriptural statements, that what God gives brings no sorrow in its train; and that, if we seek "first" the things of God, of Spirit, all good will be added unto us, for God never fails to make good the divine promises.

There is, however, something for us to do with respect to addition, and Peter gives us a wonderful lesson on this subject in his second epistle, which takes on a marvelous meaning in the light of Christian Science. We are almost startled at his assurance that we may become "partakers of the divine nature," and this promise, be it noted, is to those who have "escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust,"—which means a tremendous emptying out of the elements of mortal belief. Then comes the addition of "diligence," "faith," "virtue," "knowledge," "temperance," "patience," "godliness," "brotherly kindness," "charity,"—a splendid list of Christlike qualities, truly! The apostle insists that these things must not only be in us, but that they must "abound," and that when they do abound we are neither "barren nor unfruitful."

Peter goes on to say, "He that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off." He that lacks these spiritual qualities cannot see how to work out any of the problems of life aright. To do this, we must begin with divine Principle and add continually to our store of spiritual understanding, a process which requires of us earnest study and actual demonstration. If any good thing is lacking, it is evident that we need to add to the problem some quality of "the divine nature," till the need is supplied; for in God, divine Mind, there can be no lack.

That the teaching of Christian Science on this point is entirely reliable and intensely practical, thousands are bearing witness. Like Peter we are sure that "we have not followed cunningly devised fables." What could be more inspiring than these words of our revered Leader: "Through the accession of spirituality, God, the divine Principle of Christian Science, literally governs the aims, ambition, and acts of the Scientist" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 204). This attained, we have "added unto" us health, holiness, happiness; and having these, we have indeed "all things." To quote the familiar hymn,—

Thou, O Christ, art all I want;
More than all in thee I find!

Annie M. Knott.

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