Truth and Truthfulness ANNIE M. KNOTT, CSD          There are perhaps very few who realize the actual value of truth in every phase of human experience, and fewer still who would admit that mortals cannot in the strictest sense speak the truth, for the simple reason that spiritual sense is needed in order to know the truth about anything. Christ Jesus required of his followers righteous judgment, and St. Paul says, "He that is spiritual judgeth all things," to which he adds, "We have the mind of Christ."          Those unacquainted with Christian Science would doubtless demur at the statement that truth can and does heal the sick where all material means have failed, because truth as thus presented would seem to them a mere abstraction; but to the student of Christian Science it would be solid reality, beside which material things would be as shadows. Like faith, truth can move mountains, because faith as the Master declared it means faith in Truth, the truth of God's all-power and ever-presence, and of man's spiritual relation to God, which constitutes the reality of being. How thrilling are the words of Christ Jesus when he tells of what will come to pass when "the Spirit of truth" comes to human consciousness and guides "into all truth," — the truth about everything, from the least to the greatest. Alas that the world should so long have missed this promised Comforter that takes of the things of the Father, — health, holiness, happiness, — and shows them to those who are suffering in darkness and fear, robbed by false belief of the glorious light of divine Truth.          After long centuries of darkness — the light of Truth shining on forever, though men's eyes were closed to it — one was called to declare anew its mighty power, and Mrs. Eddy heard and heeded the command. What it cost her to obey, none can tell, for the Master's experience with mortal belief was hers also, because, as at that earlier day, "men loved darkness rather than light," they chose matter rather than Spirit. But there were many who were weary of darkness, and they listened, though it seemed hard to believe that Truth alone is mightier than aught that the senses can perceive, and to accept the statement that "omnipotent Truth certainly does destroy error" (Science and Health, p. 353). In spite, however, of doubt and incredulity, those who sought found this true, found that Jesus' declaration, "The truth shall make you free," is as practical and powerful today as when he uttered the words.          There is, however, another vital consideration connected with the puissance of Truth, and it is explained in the statement found on page 516 of our textbook, namely, that Truth is reflected "in truthfulness;" not in any mixture of truth and error, though in reality they never mix. Truth admits of no alloy; it is one with Love, and can never be blended with hate, impurity, or selfishness. God alone knows the truth about man, and the divine image can be traced only in truthfulness and by truthfulness. Blind prejudice cannot discern or declare the truth about man; no, not even about the poor struggling human sense, and truthfulness is reached only as we become more spiritual and learn to love more. To this we may apply Whittier's words, — But love alone knows whence it came, And comprehendeth love.          To realize the power of Truth, we must ourselves be truthful in thought, word, and deed. We must know the truth about God and man, and hold to it unswervingly, whatever the opposing evidence. The more we do this, the surer will be the uncovering of the error which would defeat the divine purpose. Too often are students of Christian Science tempted to make real the counterfeit which is being uncovered, and to the extent that they do this, the reflection of divinity is obscured to the human sense. The whole purpose of our Master's life was to bear witness unto the truth, and shall anything less than this be ours? Not if we would be healthful, happy, strong, and loving. Well might John, the beloved disciple, say, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."   "Truth and Truthfulness" by Annie M. Knott, CSD Christian Science Sentinel, August 29, 1914

 

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